JP7274236B2 - Powder Dispensing Device, Combination of Powder Dispensing Device and Packaging Device - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a powder dispenser and a combination of a powder dispenser and a packaging device used to supply powder as powder.

As an example of the powder supply device, there is a device described in Patent Document 1. In this device, an impeller is provided in a container, and powder is supplied by discharging the powder from a drop port with the space between the blades as "one box".

JP-A-11-180563

By the way, if the powder that is not to be dispensed falls, cross-contamination may occur, so it is desirable to prevent such a fall.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent powders that are not to be dispensed from dropping.

The present invention comprises a dispensing portion for dispensing powder from a powder container, an opening/closing body for opening and closing a supply port of the powder container, a shutter for opening and closing the path of the powder dispensed from the supply port, and dispensing the powder container. a moving mechanism that moves the powder container to the dispensing position, the shutter is opened after the powder container is moved to the dispensing position by the moving mechanism, the dispenser starts dispensing the powder, and the opening/closing body is opened. It is a powder dispensing device.

Further, a weighing unit may be provided in which a tray for accommodating the dispensed powder is placed on the dispensing unit and the powder to be accommodated in the tray is weighed.

Further, the present invention is a combination of the powder dispensing device and the packaging device, comprising the powder dispensing device and a packaging device for packaging the powder stored in the tray.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent powder that is not to be dispensed from falling.

1 is a front view showing the appearance of a weighing device according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the weighing device according to the same embodiment. It is a perspective view of the main part of the weighing device according to the same embodiment. It is a front view of the main part of the weighing device according to the same embodiment. It is a plan view of the main part of the weighing device according to the same embodiment, and is a plan view in the case of automatically weighing. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the main parts of the weighing device according to the same embodiment, and is a plan view when weighing is performed manually. It is a perspective view of the front and the plane side showing the powder container of the weighing device according to the same embodiment. It is a perspective view of the back and bottom sides showing the powder container of the weighing device according to the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a powder container of the weighing device according to the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the weighing device according to the same embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view for explaining a state in which the powder container is aligned with the dispensing position; FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the relationship between the first supply port, the second supply port, and the lower transfer body in the weighing device according to the same embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view (shown in an upright state) of the bottom side of the weighing device according to the same embodiment, showing the relationship between the partition body and the lower transfer body. In the weighing device according to the same embodiment, it is a schematic bottom view showing the relationship between the first supply port, the second supply port and the opening and closing body, (A) is the first supply port and the second supply port (B) shows a second open state in which only the second supply port is open; (C) shows a full state in which both the first supply port and the second supply port are closed; Indicates the closed state. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rear surface and the plane side showing a state in which the powder container is attached to the holder in the weighing device according to the same embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the paying-out mechanism of the weighing apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment alone. It is a block diagram showing a configuration related to control of the weighing device according to the same embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the control regarding powder supply of the weighing apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the information displayed on the information display part of the weighing apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a schematic plan view showing a tray stacking unit of a weighing device according to another embodiment.

Hereinafter, a weighing device 1 having a powder supply device 2a as a powder supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The indication of directions in the following description corresponds to the directions shown in FIG. Note that the "width direction" is also referred to as the "left-right direction". Also, the tray T (see FIG. 18) as a supply object used in the present embodiment moves in order of the tray waiting section 4, the weighing section 3, and the tray stacking section 6. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the positional relationship of each component may be described using an expression such as "upstream" by comparing the moving direction of the tray T to a flow.

Granular material, which is an object to be supplied by the granular material supply apparatus according to the present invention, is an irregular-shaped object in an aggregated state, and is, for example, a powdery or granular object. An object to be supplied that is handled by the powder supply device 2a in this embodiment is powder M, which is powdery or granular medicine.

[overview]
The weighing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can mechanically weigh the powder M, which has conventionally been manually performed by a worker such as a pharmacist when dispensing powder. It is a device that can also be performed manually. The weighing device 1 can mechanically or manually supply the powder M to the tray T placed on the weighing unit 3 and weigh it. One type of powder M is supplied to each tray T of the present embodiment, and an operator mixes different types of powder M as necessary in a post-process (eg, when feeding into a packaging device). However, it is also possible to supply a plurality of types of powder M to each tray T in some cases. Further, the area for accommodating the powder M of each tray T may be divided into a plurality of areas so that different types of powder M can be accommodated in each of the partitioned areas.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the like, the weighing device 1 of the present embodiment mainly includes a dispensing section 2, a weighing section 3, a tray standby section 4, a tray transfer section 5, a tray stacking section 6, and an information writing section 7. , a device-side display unit 8, a control unit 9 (see FIG. 16), and a housing 10. FIG. The main configuration of each part will be described below.

[Dispensing Department]
The dispensing unit 2 includes a powder container 21 which is a container capable of containing and storing the powder M, a holder 22 which detachably holds the powder container 21, and a movement for moving the powder container 21 held by the holder 22. A mechanism 23 and a dispensing mechanism 24 for dispensing the powder M from the powder container 21 are further provided, and a table 25 for supporting the powder container 21, the holder 22, the moving mechanism 23 and the dispensing mechanism 24 is provided. 3 to 6 show a state in which the powder container 21 is not attached to some of the holders 22. FIG.

(powder container)
A plurality of powder containers 21 are provided in the horizontal direction. The powder container 21 is moved by the moving mechanism 23 to the dispensing position P1 for dispensing the powder M. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the powder dispensed by the dispensing mechanism 24 drops from the powder container 21 and is accommodated in the tray T placed on the weighing section 3 located below. In this embodiment, 14 powder containers 21 are provided. However, the number of powder containers 21 is not limited to this. Each of the powder containers 21 of the present embodiment usually contains the powder M by type. That is, one type of powder M is stored in one powder container 21 . However, for powder M that is used in large amounts, for example, one type of powder M can be accommodated in two or more powder containers 21 .

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the powder container 21 includes a cylindrical body portion 211, a bottom member 212 provided at the bottom which is one end (lower end) of the body portion 211, and the other end of the body portion 211. It has a lid portion 213 provided at (upper end). The bottom member 212 is composed of an upper bottom member 212a and a lower bottom member 212b. The powder container 21 defines a space for containing the powder M by a body portion 211 and a bottom member 212 , and stores the contained powder M in the powder container 21 by closing the other end of the body portion 211 with a lid portion 213 . do. A predetermined amount of the powder M is dispensed from the dispensing mechanism 24 to the tray T based on the measured value detected by the weighing unit 3 . Hereinafter, the axial direction of the trunk portion 211 is defined as the vertical direction. The powder container 21 of the present embodiment is arranged so that the axial direction substantially coincides with the vertical direction and the powder container 21 stands upright on a horizontal plane. The powder container 21 is attached to and detached from the holder 22 with the bottom member 212 positioned downward.

The trunk portion 211 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The trunk portion 211 of the present embodiment is made of, for example, a transparent material. Therefore, the powder M contained in the barrel portion 211 can be visually recognized from the outside of the barrel portion 211 . Thereby, the amount of the powder M in the powder container 21 can be grasped from the outside. The transparent material may occupy the entire body portion 211, or may occupy only a portion thereof serving as a viewing window. Further, an RFID tag 214 is provided on the rear side of the body portion 211 while being accommodated in the case. The RFID tag 214 is written with information required to dispense the powder M, such as unique information, which will be described later.

The bottom member 212 is formed with a supply port for discharging the powder M by dropping it. The supply port is open to the outside, and the powder M can be supplied to the tray T by dropping from the supply port. This supply port is formed in the bottom upper member 212a as shown in FIG. Since the supply ports 2121 and 2122 are separated from each other, the height of the "mountain" formed on the tray T by the dropped powder M can be made lower than when the powder is dropped from one place. Therefore, the powder M is less likely to scatter outside the tray T, and the powder M can be stably supplied. Further below the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122 in the bottom lower member 212b, a bottom passage 2123, which is one passage, is formed. As shown in FIG. 8, this bottom passage 2123 opens at the bottom of the powder container 21 . The bottom passage 2123 communicates with the communication port 221a of the holding body 221 when the powder container 21 is attached to the holding body 22, as shown in FIG.

The first supply port 2121 communicates with the outer peripheral hole 2181 and is open so that the powder M can be dropped from the outer peripheral hole 2181 . The first supply port 2121 is positioned below the outer peripheral hole 2181 . The first supply port 2121 of this embodiment is positioned directly below the outer peripheral hole 2181 . Therefore, the powder M stored in the powder container 21 falls directly.

The second supply port 2122 is provided at a position displaced from the inner peripheral hole 2182 of the partition 218 in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the deviation is about 180°. In addition, the second supply port 2122 is provided at a position that is displaced from the first supply port 2121 in the circumferential direction and overlaps with the first supply port 2121 in the radial direction. The opening area of the second supply port 2122 can be increased by the amount of overlap in the radial direction by setting the second supply port 2122 at a circumferentially displaced position (a position that does not overlap) with the first supply port 2121 . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the radially outer edge of the second supply port 2122 can be radially outwardly separated from the transfer area 219a between the transfer pieces 2191 of the lower transfer body 219. As shown in FIG. Furthermore, the outer peripheral partition 2183 can be radially outwardly spaced from the transfer region 219a between the transfer pieces 2191 of the lower transfer body 219 at the same position as the second supply port 2122 in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the second supply port 2122 can be opened with a sufficient margin in the radial direction. Therefore, the powder M transported by the lower transport body 219 can be dropped from the second supply port 2122 and supplied to the tray T reliably. The second supply port 2122 drops from the inner peripheral hole 2182 of the partition 218, and drops the powder M transferred thereon by the lower transfer member 219 (transferred by approximately 180° in this embodiment). . The powder M is dispensed by dropping the powder M from both the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122, or only the second supply port 2122 (at this time, the first supply port 2121 is closed).

The first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122 are provided at positions close to each other on the bottom of the powder container 21 . Specifically, the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122 are provided adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. Due to this positional relationship, the flows of the powder M falling from the supply ports 2121 and 2122 can partially overlap or at least be adjacent to each other. Therefore, the positions at which the powder M drops from the supply ports 2121 and 2122 can be made closer.

The lower bottom member 212b has a rotating shaft 21B for rotating the rotating members (stirring body 215, upper transfer body 217, lower transfer body 219) inside the powder container 21, and a driving force from the dispensing mechanism 24. A driving input shaft 21C for receiving and a mechanism for moving the opening/closing body 21A are provided.

The lid portion 213 is a portion that closes one end of the body portion 211 . The lid portion 213 is rotatably attached to the body portion 211 about an axis parallel to the radial direction of the body portion 211 .

(Internal structure of powder container)
Next, the internal structure of the powder container 21 will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, in the inside of the powder container 21, in the lower part, from top to bottom, a stirring body 215, a shielding body 216, a transporting body (upper transporting body) 217, a partitioning body 218, a transporting body (lower transporting body) ) 219 and an opening/closing body 21A are arranged. Among these, the powder supply section 2b as a powder supply section is configured to have at least the upper transfer body 217, the lower transfer body 219, the partition body 218, and the opening/closing body 21A. The powder supply unit 2b functions to supply the powder M from the powder container 21 to the tray T. As shown in FIG. The powder supply unit 2b is controlled by the control unit 9. FIG. The rotating shaft 21B rotates the stirring body 215, the upper transfer body 217, and the lower transfer body 219 coaxially and integrally. This rotation is rotation around the central axis (the vertical axis in this embodiment) that intersects the bottom of the powder container 21 . Further, in order to intermittently transfer the powder by the lower transfer body 219, the rotation may be intermittent.

A driving force for rotation is transmitted to the rotating shaft 21B from the driving input shaft 21C. As shown in FIG. 8, the drive input shaft 21C has an input fitting portion 21C1 at the back side end portion. The input fitting portion 21C1 has a shape that can be fitted to the output fitting portion 2421 (see FIG. 15) at the front end portion of the drive output shaft 242 in the payout mechanism 24, and has irregularities that are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. ing. The input fitting portion 21C1 is arranged on the front side of the bottom member 212 relative to the back surface of the bottom lower member 212b, and is positioned so that the unevenness does not protrude outward. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the drive input shaft 21C from unexpectedly rotating due to an object colliding with the powder container 21 that has been removed from the holder 22, or the like.

The agitating body 215 has a rising blade 2151 that extends radially and then rises upward, and a horizontal blade 2152 that extends radially. As the agitating body 215 rotates, the rising blade 2151 touches the powder M adhering to the inner surface of the body portion 211 to cause the powder M to drop. A horizontal blade 2152 can move the powder M present above the shield 216 . Therefore, the rotation of the rising blade 2151 causes the powder M contained in the powder container 21 to be discharged in a funnel flow (the powder M near the inner surface of the barrel 211 remains and The state in which only the powder M in the portion away from the inner surface of the portion 211 falls can be suppressed, and the state in which the powder M inside the body portion 211 uniformly falls can be dispensed. Further, by rotating the horizontal blade 2152 , it is possible to prevent the powder M from remaining above the shield 216 .

The shield 216 is fixed inside the powder container 21 and integrally includes an outer peripheral hole shield 2161 , an inner peripheral hole shield 2162 and a connecting ring 2163 . The peripheral hole shield 2161 is positioned above the peripheral hole 2181 of the partition 218 and shields the peripheral hole 2181 from above. In this embodiment, the term “shielding” means covering the outer peripheral hole 2181 above the upper transfer body 217 to such an extent that it does not hinder the falling of the powder M from the outer peripheral hole 2181 due to the rotation of the upper transfer body 217 . there is The outer peripheral hole shield 2161 prevents the pressure of the powder M stored in the powder container 21 from being applied to the powder M transferred to the outer peripheral hole 2181 by the upper transfer body 217 . Similarly, the inner peripheral hole shield 2162 is positioned above the inner peripheral hole 2182 of the partition 218 and shields the inner peripheral hole 2182 from above. The inner peripheral hole shield 2162 prevents the pressure of the powder M stored in the powder container 21 from being applied to the powder M transferred to the lower transfer body 219 . A connecting ring 2163 connects the outer peripheral hole shielding body 2161 and the inner peripheral hole shielding body 2162 .

A plurality of radially outwardly extending transfer pieces 2171 are arranged on the upper transfer body 217 at intervals in the circumferential direction. The transfer piece 2171 of the present embodiment has a shape extending so as to deviate in the circumferential direction from the radial direction, but the shape of the transfer piece 2171 is not particularly limited. The upper transfer body 217 rotates to transfer the powder M positioned in the transfer area 217a between the transfer pieces 2171 in the rotational direction. Thereby, the upper transfer body 217 can transfer the powder M placed on the partition body 218 . The outer edge of the upper transfer body 217 (the radial edge of the transfer piece 2171 ) rotates radially outward from the outer peripheral hole 2181 and the inner peripheral hole 2182 of the partition body 218 . Therefore, the powder M to be transferred falls from the outer peripheral hole 2181 and the inner peripheral hole 2182 .

The partition 218 divides the inside of the powder container 21 into upper and lower parts. The partition body 218 has an outer peripheral hole 2181 and an inner peripheral hole 2182 penetrating vertically, and an outer peripheral partition portion 2183 . The outer peripheral hole 2181 and the inner peripheral hole 2182 are positioned substantially facing each other with the center of the partition 218 interposed therebetween. The outer peripheral hole 2181 is positioned on the radially outer side, and the inner peripheral hole 2182 is positioned on the radially inner side. As shown in FIG. 12, the outer peripheral partition 2183 is arranged so as to surround the outer edge of the lower transfer body 219 (the radial edge of the transfer piece 2191) in the radially outer direction, and defines a region in which the lower transfer body 219 rotates. is partitioned from the outer diameter region of the region. The outer peripheral partition 2183 can guide the powder M transferred by the lower transfer body 219 so that it does not escape radially outward. In addition, the outer peripheral partition part 2183 is positioned radially outside of the supply ports 2121 and 2122 at the same position in the circumferential direction as the first supply port 2121 and the same position in the circumferential direction as the second supply port 2122 . The outer peripheral partition 2183 of the present embodiment is provided integrally with the partition 218 and extends downward from the lower surface of the partition 218 .

The lower transfer body 219 is formed with a smaller diameter than the upper transfer body 217 . The transfer area 219 a of the lower transfer body 219 is located on the inner diameter side of the transfer area 217 a of the upper transfer body 217 . A plurality of radially outwardly extending transfer pieces 2191 are arranged on the lower transfer body 219 at intervals in the circumferential direction. Between each transfer piece 2191, for example, a semi-circular transfer area 219a is formed. The transfer area 219a is preferably formed by a plurality of transfer pieces 2191 and is open radially outward. The lower transfer body 219 rotates to transfer the powder M positioned in the transfer area 219a between the transfer pieces 2191 in the rotational direction. As a result, the lower transfer body 219 can transfer the powder M dropped from the inner peripheral hole 2182 of the partition body 218 by the upper transfer body 217 . As shown in FIG. 9 , the transfer area 219 a of the lower transfer body 219 is configured such that the volume of powder M that can be transferred is smaller than that of the transfer area 217 a of the upper transfer body 217 . Therefore, a relatively small amount of powder M can be supplied from the lower transport body 219 as compared with the upper transport body 217 .

The opening/closing body 21A has an opening 21A1 opened in the circumferential direction and a closing portion 21A2 adjacent to the opening 21A1 in the circumferential direction. By rotating the opening/closing body 21A, both the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122 at the bottom of the powder container 21 can be opened in a first open state (see FIG. 13A). The opening/closing body 21A can be in a second open state in which the first supply port 2121 is closed and only the second supply port 2122 is opened (see FIG. 13B). Also, the opening/closing body 21A can be in a fully closed state in which both the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122 are closed (see FIG. 13B).

(Holding body)
The holder 22 is a part that detachably holds the powder container 21 . The holding body 22 includes a holding body 221 that holds the powder container 21 and a fixed portion 223 that is fixed to the moving mechanism 23 . The holder 22 of this embodiment is configured to hold one powder container 21 . Therefore, the number of holders 22 corresponding to the number of powder containers 21 is provided. Fourteen holders 22 are provided in this embodiment. However, the holder 22 may be configured to collectively hold a plurality of powder containers 21 .

The holding body 221 is formed with communication ports 221a at positions corresponding to the supply ports (the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122) of the powder container 21. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the powder M dispensed from the powder container 21 passes through the communication port 221a and falls.

The fixed portion 223 is screwed to a belt, which is a moving body 231 , of the moving mechanism 23 to be described later, so that the holding body 22 is supported by the moving mechanism 23 . This support is performed in a state in which the fixed portion 223 is movable in the left-right direction (more precisely, it is swingable). In this embodiment, the fixed portion 223 can be moved by bending the belt. However, the configuration for enabling the movement is not limited to this, and various configurations are possible. Since the fixed portion 223 is movably supported, the powder container 21 can be smoothly connected to the dispensing mechanism 24 at the dispensing position P1.

As shown in FIG. 14 , a slit 2231 extending in the horizontal direction penetrates the lower portion of the fixed portion 223 . The open/close operation lever 243 (see FIG. 15) of the payout mechanism 24 is passed through the slit 2231 in the holder 22 at the payout position P1. Further, a positioning concave portion 2232 for positioning the holder 22 at the payout position P1 is provided at the center of the lowermost portion of the fixed portion 223 .

(moving mechanism)
The moving mechanism 23 is a mechanism for moving the powder container 21 held by the holder 22 . Specifically, the moving mechanism 23 moves the powder container 21 by moving the holder 22 . The moving mechanism 23 horizontally moves the plurality of powder containers 21 . The moving mechanism 23 of this embodiment circulates the holder 22 in a horizontal plane. FIG. 5 shows the movement trajectory Q of the powder container 21 . The moving mechanism 23 of this embodiment has a moving body 231 that moves the holding body 22 and a moving drive section 232 that drives the moving body 231 . A belt is used as the moving body 231 in this embodiment. Then, in order to detect the powder container 21 at the dispensing position P1 and the attachment/detachment position P2, which will be described later, the RFID reader/writer 233 capable of reading and writing information with respect to the RFID tag 214 (see FIG. 10) provided on the powder container 21 detects the dispensing position. It is provided at a position corresponding to the RFID tag 214 of the powder container 21 at the position P1 and the attachment/detachment position P2.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the movement track Q is set with a dispensing position P1 for dispensing the powder M from the powder container 21 . An attachment/detachment position P<b>2 for attaching/detaching the powder container 21 to/from the holder 22 is set on the movement track Q. As shown in FIG. The attachment/detachment position P2 is detachable because, for example, a space is secured above the powder container 21 only at the attachment/detachment position P2, and the powder container 21 is attached to the ceiling of the housing 10 for the other portions. It can be realized by making it impossible to attach and detach by being caught.

The attachment/detachment position P2 is provided at a position different in the horizontal direction from the payout position P1. In this embodiment, the attachment/detachment position P2 is a position near the dispensing position P1 when the dispensing position P1 is used as a reference, and is a position where one to three neighboring powder containers 21 are held. The reason why the loading/unloading position P2 is not at the same position as the dispensing position P1 is that the tray T is positioned below the dispensing position P1, so that the powder M adhering to the powder container 21 to be attached/detached may drop and vibration may occur during attachment/detachment. This is because there is a possibility that the powder M may be unintentionally mixed into the tray T due to the powder M dropping from the holding body 22 due to the dust. Due to this positional relationship, the powder container 21 that has run out of the powder M can be moved to the attachment/detachment position P2, and the powder container 21 can be detached from the holder 22 and the powder M can be quickly replenished. Furthermore, the powder container 21 after refilling the powder can be quickly moved to the dispensing position P1. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time from when the powder M has run out to when the dispensing is resumed. In addition, when the powder container 21 is attached or detached at the attachment/detachment position P2, the operator's hand or the powder container 21 to be attached or detached hits the powder container 21 at the dispensing position P1, which causes an unintended drop of the powder. Because of the possibility, it is preferable to have two or more neighbors.

In the present embodiment, the moving mechanism 23 circulates the holder 22, so that the movement trajectory Q of the powder container 21 is a circling trajectory. The moving mechanism 23 can rotate the powder container 21 in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions as necessary (for example, so that the movement distance to the dispensing position P1 is small). The movement trajectory Q of this embodiment is oval. Therefore, the movement track Q, which is the loop track of the present embodiment, is composed of a pair of straight tracks Q1 along which the holder 22 moves linearly and a pair of curved tracks Q2 along which the holding body 22 moves while curving. The movement trajectory Q, which is a circular trajectory, is not limited to an elliptical shape, and may be circular, elliptical, rectangular, or the like. Further, the moving mechanism 23 is not limited to one that circularly moves the holder 22, and may be one that reciprocates linearly or curvedly within a predetermined range.

The weighing unit 3, the tray standby unit 4, the tray transfer unit 5, and the tray stacking unit 6 in this embodiment are positioned below the front side range (front half range) of the movement track Q, respectively.

Hereinafter, one side of the pair of straight tracks Q1 is defined as the front side, the other side is defined as the back side (depth side), and the direction in which the pair of straight tracks Q1 face each other is defined as the depth direction (sometimes referred to as the front-rear direction). . Also, the direction in which the pair of curved tracks Q2 face each other is defined as the width direction (sometimes referred to as the left-right direction). The payout position P1 is set in the range on the front side of the moving trajectory Q. As shown in FIG. The attachment/detachment position P2 is also set in the range on the front side of the movement trajectory Q. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the size of the housing 10 is determined according to the length (size) of the moving track Q of the powder container 21 . That is, the length of the housing 10 in the depth direction is determined based on the facing distance of the pair of straight tracks Q1 in the movement track Q of the powder container 21, and the width of the housing 10 is determined based on the facing distance of the pair of curved tracks Q2. A direction length is defined.

The moving body 231 of the present embodiment is configured in a belt type with a surface arranged along the vertical direction. The fixed portion 223 of the holder 22 is fixed to this belt. The moving body 231 is formed in an annular shape. The center of the annular belt is the rotation center around which the holder 22 rotates. The moving body 231 is formed in an oval shape. A moving track Q of the powder container 21 is formed along the circumferential direction of the moving body 231 , and the holder 22 and the powder container 21 go around the outer periphery of the moving body 231 . The moving body 231 is provided with fixing portions 231a for fixing the fixed portions 223 of the holding body 22 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

The movement drive unit 232 circulates the movement body 231 . The movement drive section 232 drives or stops the movement main body 231 based on a command from the control section 9 .

(Payout mechanism)
The dispensing mechanism 24 is a mechanism for dispensing the powder M from the powder container 21 that has moved to a predetermined dispensing position P1 on the moving track Q of the powder container 21 . The dispensing mechanism 24 is configured to dispense a predetermined amount of powder M to the supply port (first supply port 2121 and/or second supply port 2122).

FIG. 15 shows the dispensing mechanism 24 alone in this embodiment. The dispensing mechanism 24 includes a base portion 24a and a main body portion 24b that can move back and forth (front-to-back direction) with respect to the base portion 24a by a built-in drive mechanism. The base portion 24a incorporates a payout driving portion 241 that generates driving force when paying out. The payout driving section 241 drives or stops driving the payout mechanism 24 based on a command from the control section 9 .

A drive output shaft 242 protrudes from the front end surface of the body portion 24b. The drive output shaft 242 has an output fitting portion 2421 at the front end. The output fitting portion 2421 has a shape that can be fitted to the input fitting portion 21C1 (see FIG. 8) at the back side end of the drive input shaft 21C in the powder container 21, and has irregularities that are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. ing. The drive output shaft 242 rotates around an axis extending in the front-rear direction by transmitting the driving force of the payout drive unit 241 . The drive output shaft 242 is driven by the payout drive unit 241, for example, by belt drive.

An opening/closing operation lever 243 protrudes above the drive output shaft 242 on the front end surface of the body portion 24b. The opening/closing operation lever 243 of the present embodiment is a plate-like body whose front end is bifurcated. The opening/closing operation lever 243 is configured to move in the left-right direction with respect to the body portion 24b. The open/close operating lever 243 is inserted into the bottom member 212 of the powder container 21 through a horizontally elongated slit 2231 passing through the fixed portion 223 of the holder 22 . By moving the opening/closing operation lever 243 in this state, the opening/closing member 21A of the powder container 21 is switched between the first open state, the second open state, and the fully closed state.

A positioning protrusion 244 protrudes below the driving output shaft 242 on the front end surface of the main body portion 24b. The alignment projection 244 of this embodiment has a roller-shaped introduction portion 2441 at the front end. The introduction part 2441 is rotatable around the vertical axis. The alignment projection 244 enters into the alignment recess 2232 (see FIG. 14) provided in the lower back side of the holder 22 as the main body 24b moves forward. Since the introduction part 2441 is rotatable and the support for the moving mechanism 23 of the holding body 22 is movable in the left-right direction (more specifically, it can be rocked), the alignment protrusion 244 can be smoothly aligned. The recess 2232 can be recessed. Therefore, variations in the position of the powder container 21 moved to the dispensing position P1 can be dealt with.

Here, the operation of the payout mechanism 24 when the drive output shaft 242 and the drive input shaft 21C are connected will be described with reference to FIG. 17 (flow chart). In order to connect the powder container 21 that has moved to the dispensing position P1, the main body 24b moves forward (S1 in FIG. 17). If the output fitting portion 2421 of the output shaft 242 can be properly fitted, the connection between the drive output shaft 242 and the drive input shaft 21C is completed (S9, S10 in FIG. 17).

However, when the convex portion of the input fitting portion 21C1 of the drive input shaft 21C contacts the convex portion of the output fitting portion 2421 of the drive output shaft 242, the uneven fitting may not be possible. In this case, the forward movement of the main body portion 24b stops halfway and, for example, a behavior such as being pushed back to the rear side occurs. You can take action to As for the operation for reconnection, first, the body portion 24b stops the forward movement (S3 in FIG. 17) and retreats once to the rear side (S4 in FIG. 17). As a result, the drive output shaft 242 is separated from the drive input shaft 21C, so that the contact between the convex portions is released. This retraction is continued until the detection of the limit sensor or the like becomes non-detected (S5, S6 in FIG. 17), after which the drive output shaft 242 is rotated by a predetermined angle (S7, S8 in FIG. 17). Specifically, the output fitting portion 2421 is rotated by an angle that changes the positional relationship of the unevenness. After that, the body portion 24b advances to the front side (S1 in FIG. 17). This completes the connection between the drive output shaft 242 and the drive input shaft 21C. Completion of the connection is detected by another sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the correct connection state (S9 in FIG. 17), and the forward movement of the body portion 24b is stopped (S10 in FIG. 17). If the connection fails again, the above operation is performed again (return to S1 in FIG. 17).

(table)
The table 25 mounts the powder container 21, the holder 22, the moving mechanism 23, and the dispensing mechanism 24 thereon. The table 25 is formed in a plate shape. The table 25 is formed in a rectangular shape having long sides and short sides corresponding to the movement track Q of the powder container 21 . A movement track Q is set substantially at the center of the table 25 . A moving body 231 is installed on the table 25 so that the longitudinal direction and the extending direction of the moving body 231 match. The moving body 231 is installed in the central portion of the table 25 . The table 25 is installed horizontally, and the powder container 21 and the holder 22 are horizontally arranged.

An opening 251 is formed in the table 25 at a position corresponding to the dispensing position P1 on the movement (orbit) track of the powder container 21 . That is, when the holder 22 and the powder container 21 are positioned at the dispensing position P1, the supply port (the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122) of the powder container 21, the communication port 221a of the holder 22, and the opening of the table 25 are closed. 251 are vertically overlapped. As a result, the powder M in the powder container 21 is dispensed.

The table 25 is provided on the lower surface of the table 25 and has a shutter that opens and closes the opening 251 of the table 25 . The shutter of this embodiment is formed in a plate shape. The shutter may be arranged on the lower side of the holding body 221, for example. It should be noted that the shutter on the table 25 is not essential in the payout section 2 and can be omitted.

[Weighing part]
The weighing unit 3 as a weight detection unit mounts a tray T containing the powder M dispensed from the powder container 21 and weighs the powder M supplied to the tray T. Further, the weight of the powder M is detected so that the controller 9 obtains a detection weight value used for controlling the powder supply unit 2b. Further, the powder M supplied to the tray T without being discharged from the powder container 21 by the dispensing mechanism 24 is weighed. The weighing unit 3 is positioned below the dispensing unit 2 so as to overlap the dispensing unit 2 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the weighing unit 3 is arranged under the table 25 . The weighing unit 3 of this embodiment is an electronic balance. A weighing detection value in the weighing unit 3 is sent to the control unit 9 . A display unit of the weighing unit (electronic balance) 3 displays the detected weight value. is visually recognized by the operator.

The weighing unit 3 of this embodiment is configured to be movable in the depth direction. The weighing unit 3 is positioned at a first position S1 on the back side (the side farther from the operator) in the depth direction in an automatic weighing mode (first mode) described later, and in a manual weighing mode (second mode) described later. Then, it can be positioned at the second position S2 on the front side (the side closer to the operator) in the depth direction. The weighing unit 3 is mounted on a mount 101 that is movable in the depth direction, and the weighing unit 3 moves as the mount 101 moves. The gantry 101 is pulled out by gripping the handle 102 by the operator. However, it is also possible to provide a pull-out drive unit so that the gantry 101 is automatically pulled out when the mode is switched to the manual weighing mode.

A door 10b provided on the front side of the weighing section 3 in the housing 10 is provided with a lock section 3a. In the automatic weighing mode, the lock portion 3a locks the door 10b so that the door 10b cannot be opened, thereby immovably holding the weighing portion 3 at the first position S1 and preventing it from being moved to the second position S2. In addition, it is also possible to configure the locking part 3a to be provided on the pedestal 101 so that the locking part 3a locks the weighing part 3 so that it cannot be moved in the automatic weighing mode.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first position S1 is a position where the weighing unit 3 at least partially overlaps the dispensing unit 2 (table 25) in the vertical direction. The first position S1 is set below the payout position P1. Therefore, the first position S1 is a position suitable for automatic weighing. The second position S2 is a position where the weighing unit 3 is on the front side with respect to the dispensing unit 2 (table 25). At the second position S2, the space above the weighing unit 3 is open as a work space, and a space for performing manual weighing work in the manual weighing mode (second mode) is secured as described later. Therefore, the second position S2 is a position suitable for manual weighing. In this way, it is sufficient that the first position S1 corresponds to the position during automatic weighing and the second position S2 corresponds to the position during manual weighing. Various positional relationships are possible without being limited to the positional relationship in the depth direction as in the embodiment.

[Tray waiting part]
The tray standby section 4 is a section that holds the tray T before being moved to the weighing section 3 . The tray standby section 4 holds a plurality of trays T (nine in this embodiment, but not limited to this). The tray standby section 4 is configured to place the tray T thereon and transport the tray T so that the tray transfer section 5 can grip the tray T. As shown in FIG. At least a portion of the tray waiting section 4 (a portion on the back side in this embodiment) is positioned below the dispensing section 2 so as to overlap the dispensing section 2 in the vertical direction. The tray standby section 4 has a standby tray transport section 41 for placing and transporting the tray T, and a standby drive section 42 for driving the standby tray transport section 41 .

The standby tray transfer section 41 is composed of a belt conveyor extending in a predetermined direction. The standby tray transfer section 41 of this embodiment extends in the depth direction. A plurality of trays T are arranged and stacked in the direction (depth direction) in which the standby tray transfer section 41 extends. As an example, FIG. 3 shows a state in which three trays T are arranged in the depth direction, and a tray T is stacked on each tray T, and a total of three trays T are stacked (nine trays T). The standby tray transfer section 41 of this embodiment is installed under the table 25 in the dispensing section 2 . The waiting tray transfer section 41 is arranged so that more than half of it in the depth direction overlaps the table 25 in the vertical direction. The standby tray transfer section 41 moves from the front side to the back side, and moves the placed tray T to the back side (rear side) in the depth direction to below the transfer section main body 51 of the tray transfer section 5 .

The standby driving section 42 drives the standby tray transfer section 41 . The standby driving section 42 drives or stops the standby tray transfer section 41 based on the command from the control section 9 .

[Tray transfer section]
The tray transport section 5 is a part that transports the tray T. As shown in FIG. The tray transfer section 5 is configured to at least remove the tray T from the weighing section 3 after weighing. Specifically, the tray transfer section 5 is configured to move the tray T from the tray waiting section 4 to the weighing section 3 before dispensing the powder, and remove the tray T from the weighing section 3 after dispensing the powder. Further, the tray transfer section 5 of the present embodiment places the tray T on the tray stacking section 6 after removing the tray T from the weighing section 3 . Thus, the tray transfer section 5 is a section that transfers a series of trays T from the tray waiting section 4 to the tray stacking section 6 via the weighing section 3 . The tray transfer section 5 is positioned below the dispensing section 2 so as to overlap the dispensing section 2 in the vertical direction.

The tray transfer section 5 has a transfer section main body 51 for transferring the tray T and a transfer driving section 52 for driving the transfer section main body 51 .

The transfer section main body 51 moves in the horizontal direction (X direction) and the vertical direction (Y direction). The transfer section main body 51 is configured to hold the tray T. As shown in FIG. The transfer section main body 51 of this embodiment has a pair of arms 51a. The transfer section main body 51 transfers the tray T by gripping the tray T with the pair of arms 51a. The pair of arms 51a are spaced apart in the left-right direction, and configured to move toward and away from each other.

The transfer unit main body 51 is positioned above the tray standby unit 4 in a standby state in which the tray T is not transferred. Let the position in the standby state be the standard position of the transfer section main body 51 . The transfer section main body 51 is configured to be movable vertically and horizontally with reference to the standard position. Although the transfer section main body 51 of this embodiment does not move in the depth direction, it can also be configured to be movable. When transferring the tray T placed on the tray waiting section 4 to the weighing section 3, the transfer section main body 51 moves downward (lowers) from the standard position to grip the tray T, and lifts the tray T. Move upward (rise) while grasping. The transfer section main body 51 moves rightward in the horizontal direction (right side in FIG. 3) via the standard position and stops above the weighing section 3 . Subsequently, the transfer section main body 51 moves downward to place the tray T on the weighing section 3, releases the tray T after placement, and waits at the position where the tray T is released.

After the powder M is dispensed onto the tray T, the transfer unit main body 51 grips the tray T containing the powder M. As shown in FIG. Then, while holding the tray T, it rises and moves to the right as it is. The transfer section main body 51 moves above the tray stacking section 6 and descends at a predetermined position to place the tray T on the tray stacking section 6 . The transfer unit main body 51 releases the tray T after being placed and moves upward. Then, the transfer section main body 51 moves to the left (left side in FIG. 3) and returns to the standard position.

[Tray accumulation part]
The tray stacking section 6 is a post-weighing tray place where the trays T containing the weighed powders M are placed. The trays T placed on the tray stacking unit 6 are taken out by the operator and sent to a post-process (packaging device). The empty tray T after being sent to the post-process is cleaned by a suction device or the like to remove the residual powder M, and then returned to the tray standby section 4 by the operator.

The tray stacking section 6 is positioned under the dispensing section 2 (table 25). The tray stacking unit 6 is configured so that a plurality of trays T (three in the present embodiment, but not limited to this) can be placed. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the right two of the three trays T arranged in the horizontal direction are exposed to the front side, and the operator weighs these two trays T. It can be taken out of the device 1 . The tray stacking section 6 is configured to place and transport the trays T thereon. The tray stacking section 6 has a stacking tray transfer section 61 for placing and transporting the trays T, and a stacking drive section 62 for driving the stacking tray transfer section 61 .

The stacking tray transfer section 61 is composed of a belt conveyor extending in a predetermined direction. The stacking tray transfer section 61 of this embodiment extends in the left-right direction. A plurality of trays T are arranged in the direction in which the stacking tray transfer section 61 extends (horizontal direction). FIG. 3 shows, as an example, a state in which three trays T are arranged in the horizontal direction (three trays T). The stacking tray transfer section 61 of this embodiment is installed under the table 25 in the dispensing section 2 . The stacking tray transfer section 61 is arranged so that substantially the entire area overlaps the table 25 in the vertical direction. When the transfer section main body 51 places the tray T on the stacking tray transfer section 61 and returns to the standard position, the stacking tray transfer section 61 moves from the left side to the right side in the horizontal direction to move the placed tray T to the left side. to the right. As a result, the tray T moves to a position where it can be taken out of the weighing device 1 .

The stacking driving section 62 drives the stacking tray transfer section 61 . The stacking driving section 62 drives or stops the stacking tray transfer section 61 based on the command from the control section 9 .

It is also possible for the tray transfer section 5 to remove the tray T from the weighing section 3 and then stack the tray T in the tray stacking section 6 for each supply instruction corresponding to the prescription information. In order to deal with this, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, parallel tray stacking units 6X and 6Y are formed by belt conveyors in which a plurality of stacking tray transfer units 61 are arranged in parallel. , 6Y may be arranged so that the trays T are separately placed. In this case, the tray transfer section 5 is configured to be able to move the tray T above the belt conveyors corresponding to the tray stacking sections 6X and 6Y. In other words, the tray transfer section 5 functions as an allocating means for allocating a plurality of trays T for each supply instruction corresponding to the prescription information.

[Information writing part]
The information writing unit 7 writes information for identifying the powder M, such as prescription information of the powder contained in the tray T, to the information display unit T1 provided on the tray T. As shown in FIG. Writing is performed by contactless (wireless) power supply. Writing is performed both in the automatic weighing mode described later and in the manual weighing mode. Prescription information of the contained powder is displayed in the information display section T1. The information display portion T1 of the tray T will be described later. The information writing section 7 is configured to be able to write an optically readable identifier to the information display section T1. The information writing unit 7 is installed on the upstream side of the weighing unit 3 and writes prescription information to the information display unit T1 before the tray T is placed on the weighing unit 3 .

In this embodiment, the information writing section 7 is arranged, for example, on the front side of the transfer section main body 51 positioned at the standard position (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3). The information writing unit 7 writes the prescription information to the information display unit T1 on the path along which the tray T moves from the tray standby unit 4 to the weighing unit 3 . That is, the information writing section 7 writes the prescription information in the information display section T1 before the powder M is supplied to the tray T. As shown in FIG. For example, the information writing section 7 may write the prescription information on the tray T lifted from the tray standby section 4 by the transfer section main body 51 and stopped at the standard position. Note that the information writing section 7 may write the prescription information to the information display section T<b>1 before the tray T is placed on the tray stacking section 6 . By doing so, it is possible to prevent the operator from making a mistake when taking out the tray T from the tray stacking unit 6 . However, assuming that the manual weighing mode is to be executed, the information writing unit 7 needs to write the prescription information to the information display unit T1 before placing the tray T on the weighing unit 3 . As a result, it is possible to prevent the wrong powder M from being supplied to the tray T manually without dispensing the powder M from the powder container 21 by the dispensing mechanism 24 .

Further, the information writing section 7 can also write prescription information in the information display section T1 after the weighing in the weighing section 3 is carried out. In this case, the information to be written can include, in addition to the prescription information, information related to the actual supply (for example, the weighed value (actual value), the fact that the powder M dispensed from the powder container 21 has not reached the target amount, etc.). . As a result, if there is a shortage of the powder M dispensed to the tray T, the operator can be alerted, and the shortage of the powder M is not compensated for, and the powder is erroneously sent to the post-process (packaging, etc.). can be suppressed.

[Device side display]
The device-side display section 8 is a section that displays predetermined information regarding the supply of the powder. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the device-side display section 8 is provided on the front side of the housing 10 . The device-side display section 8 of this embodiment is a monitor. Note that the device-side display section 8 may also serve as an operation section (operation panel) on which the operator performs predetermined operations.

[Control part]
The control unit 9 is a part that controls the operation of the weighing device 1 as a whole. FIG. 16 shows main parts connected to the control unit 9 . The control unit 9 causes the weighing unit 3 to weigh the powder M from the powder container 21 by the dispensing mechanism 24 according to the target value of the amount of powder according to the supply instruction input via the connected instruction input unit 9a. An automatic weighing mode as a first mode for dispensing, and a second mode for weighing the powder M put into the tray T by the weighing unit 3 without dispensing the powder M from the powder container 21 by the dispensing mechanism 24. Toggle between manual weighing mode and The supply instruction includes, for example, the type of powder to be dispensed by the dispensing mechanism 24, the supply amount of each powder, the target value for supply, and the like. Examples of the instruction input unit 9a include an input unit that receives prescription information from a host system installed in a dispensing pharmacy or the like, a bar code reader, an RFID reader, a keyboard, and a touch panel, and can take various forms.

The storage unit 9b is a part that stores information necessary for control by the control unit 9. FIG. The storage unit 9b of the present embodiment is provided separately from the control unit 9 and connected to the control unit 9, as shown in FIG. However, for example, the storage unit 9b can be configured as part of the control unit 9, and the arrangement within the weighing device 1 is not particularly limited.

In the automatic weighing mode, the control unit 9 drives the dispensing drive unit 241 to dispense the powder from the powder container 21 . The control unit 9 controls driving of the dispensing driving unit 241 according to the weighing detection value input from the weighing unit 3, and dispenses the powder amount according to the supply instruction. As the control of the control unit 9 in this embodiment, the following multiple patterns can be exemplified.

When the powder M related to the supply instruction is contained in the powder container 21, the controller 9 can set the automatic weighing mode, and can set the manual weighing mode otherwise. Specifically, when the powdered drug M to be dispensed is the A drug, the powdered drug M related to the supply instruction is input to the control unit 9 as the A drug along with the target value of the amount of powdered drug to be supplied. When the A medicine is stored in the powder container 21, the control unit 9 causes the dispensing mechanism 24 to dispense the A medicine (automatic weighing mode). On the other hand, when medicine A is not contained in the powder container 21, the control unit 9 does not instruct the dispensing mechanism 24 to dispense, and executes the manual weighing mode. In this embodiment, in the automatic weighing mode, the powder M is automatically weighed according to the target value of the amount of powder according to the supply instruction. In the manual weighing mode, dispensing by the dispensing mechanism 24 is not performed. Therefore, for example, the operator moves the A medicine from a powder bottle containing the A medicine to the tray T and weighs it in the weighing unit 3 .

When the powder M to be dispensed in the automatic weighing mode runs short, the control unit 9 allows the operator to select whether to replenish the powder container 21 with the powder M and continue dispensing in the automatic weighing mode or to switch to the manual weighing mode. It can be configured to be selectable. That is, when the powder container 21 is empty, or when it is predicted that the amount of powder in the powder container 21 will fall short of the target value by the time the dispensing is completed, the operator will need to fill the powder container 21 with It is possible to select whether to replenish the powder M and continue automatic weighing (automatic weighing mode) or to manually weigh the amount of powder that is insufficient for the target value (manual weighing mode). For example, the operator can make the selection on the operation panel (apparatus-side display unit 8 or the like).

Here, the fact that the powder container 21 is empty can be detected by the absence of change (specifically, increase) in the measured weight detection value in the weighing unit 3 for a certain period of time. Insufficient amount of powder in the powder container 21 can be predicted by comparing the target value of the amount of powder according to the supply instruction and the remaining amount of powder grasped before the start of dispensing.

Further, when the powder M dispensed in the automatic weighing mode runs short, the control unit 9 can terminate the operation related to the automatic weighing mode and shift to the manual weighing mode. That is, the control unit 9 may automatically shift from the automatic weighing mode to the manual weighing mode without depending on the operator's judgment. In this case, the operator may be able to set in advance whether or not to cause the control section 9 to perform the control. The control unit 9 can display the amount of powder required to be supplied to the tray T in the manual weighing mode on the device-side display unit 8 . Specifically, the control unit 9, based on the detection value of the powder contained in the tray T and the target value of the amount of powder to be supplied to the tray T after the automatic weighing mode is terminated due to insufficient powder M, The insufficient amount of powder is calculated, and the insufficient amount of powder is displayed on the device side display section 8 . As a result, the operator only needs to supply the displayed amount of powder to the tray T in the state of being switched to the second mode, which facilitates manual weighing work. Alternatively, the device-side display section 8 may display the weighed value of the powder contained in the tray T and the target value of the powder amount to be supplied to the tray T, instead of displaying the insufficient amount of powder. Any display that allows the operator to grasp the insufficient amount of powder may be used.

Further, if the plurality of types of powders M related to the supply instruction includes powders M that are contained in one of the plurality of powder containers 21 and powders M that are not, the control unit 9 first switches to the automatic weighing mode and then The manual weighing mode, or the manual weighing mode first and then the automatic weighing mode can be selected by the operator. Alternatively, the control unit 9 can first switch to the automatic weighing mode and then switch to the manual weighing mode without making the above selection. Further, the control unit 9 can set the manual weighing mode prior to the automatic weighing mode without making the above selection, and set the automatic weighing mode after the manual weighing mode ends.

Further, when the controller 9 is instructed to execute the manual weighing mode during the execution of the automatic weighing mode when dispensing a plurality of types of powders, the control unit 9 switches to the automatic weighing mode when the dispensing of the powders being executed is completed. It can be interrupted and switched to manual weighing mode.

In the automatic weighing mode, the control unit 9 of the present embodiment operates the lock unit 3a so that the door 10b located on the front side of the weighing unit 3 cannot be opened. Further, the control section 9 releases the operation of the lock section 3a in the manual weighing mode.

The controller 9 moves the powder container 21 to the dispensing position P<b>1 , and then the tray transfer section 5 moves the tray T from the tray standby section 4 to the weighing section 3 . That is, the control section 9 controls the powder container 21 so that it does not pass the dispensing position P1 while the tray T is placed on the weighing section 3 .

When the table 25 has a shutter, the control unit 9 closes the shutter of the table 25 while the plurality of powder containers 21 are being moved by the moving mechanism 23, and the tray transfer unit 5 moves the tray T to the weighing unit 3. Then open the shutter. Further, the control unit 9 opens the shutter before discharging the powder M from the powder container 21 . Specifically, the control unit 9 opens the shutter after the tray T is placed on the weighing unit 3 and after zero adjustment (taring) of the weighing unit 3 .

[Chassis]
The housing 10 is configured to surround the dispensing section 2, the weighing section 3, the tray waiting section 4, the tray transfer section 5, the tray stacking section 6, the information writing section 7, the device side display section 8, and the control section 9. be. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 10 is formed with an attachment/detachment window 10a for attachment/detachment of the powder container 21 at a position corresponding to the attachment/detachment position P2 of the powder container 21. As shown in FIGS. A door 10b is installed in the housing 10 on the front side of the weighing unit 3 (FIGS. 1 and 2 show the opened state of the door 10b). In the manual weighing mode, the operator opens the door 10b and pulls out the weighing unit 3 to the second position S2 to perform manual weighing. In addition to the above-described parts, the housing 10 includes a journal printer for printing prescription information of the supplied powder and information on the supply result on paper, a bar code reader for managing the powder container 21, and other equipment for supplying the powder. Various mechanisms can be provided to assist with the tasks involved.

[tray]
The tray T used in the weighing device 1 of the present embodiment is for containing the powder M to be supplied. The tray T is placed on the weighing unit 3 to weigh the supplied powder M, and has a shape that allows it to be transferred by the tray transfer unit 5. In this embodiment, the tray T is shown in FIG. , it is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is flat and has an open upper end. It is preferable that the tray T has a shape in which a plurality of trays can be stacked upward as shown in FIG. Moreover, this tray T has lateral protrusions T2 that engage with the pair of arms 51a of the tray transfer section 5 or that can be hooked by the operator's fingers.

As shown in FIG. 18, the tray T includes an information display portion T1 that displays prescription information of the contained powder. The information display section T1 is provided on one of the four sides. The information display section T1 of this embodiment is configured to be attached to the main body of the tray T by inserting it as shown in the drawing, but it can also be attached to the side surface of the tray T, for example. In this embodiment, a display unit including electronic paper is used as the information display section T1. Since electronic paper can hold display contents without requiring power, it can contribute to energy saving compared to, for example, a liquid crystal display. Further, the information displayed on the information display section T1 can be rewritten by the information writing section 7. FIG. Further, the information display section T1 of the present embodiment is configured such that the display written by the information writing section 7 is held until the information writing section 7 writes the next time. The identifier displayed on the information display section T1 can be read by a post-process device (packaging device, etc.), and the display of the information display section T1 including the identifier can be erased.

Various information can be displayed on the information display section T1. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, as prescription information, reception number J1, reception date and time J2, patient name J3, age J4, drug name J5, drug type symbol display J6, weighing value J7, bar code J8, RP number J9, etc. can be displayed. Prescription information includes patient information (patient name, patient ID, patient's date of birth, patient's age), drug information (drug name, drug code, dosage), usage information (usage, usage code), dosing information (internal use, external use, etc.), type of examination (outpatient, inpatient, etc.), prescription issuance date and time, and other information are included. The receipt number J1 is a number assigned to each prescription information when a host system installed in a dispensing pharmacy or the like receives prescription information from a host computer such as a prescription ordering system. The reception date and time J2 is the date and time when the host system received the prescription information. In the host system, in order to assign dispensing instructions to each dispensing device based on the prescription information received from the host computer, the prescription information is grouped according to specific conditions such as drug type, usage, and time of administration, and each grouped data are assigned RP numbers (RP1, RP2, . . . ). In addition, the prescription information received from the host system is information necessary to operate each dispensing device (patient name, patient ID, patient's date of birth, patient's age, drug name, drug code, dosage, usage, usage code, etc.) are extracted. Then, in the host system, the reception number and reception date and time, the RP number of each grouped data, and the excerpted prescription information corresponding to each data are linked and stored. Dispensing information is generated. The control unit 9 acquires the dispensing information and issues a supply instruction based on the acquired dispensing information.

The display corresponding to the barcode J8 may be an optically readable identifier such as a two-dimensional code in addition to the illustrated barcode (one-dimensional code). The identifier stores information unique to each dispensing information generated by the host system. Since information on the identifier can be easily read by reading means such as a bar code reader, there is an advantage that mechanical processing in the post-process is easy. For this reason, for example, by reading the identifier with a reading means, the dispensing information stored in the host system is called up, and a system is constructed in which the dispensing information can be automatically input from the host system to the packaging device. be able to. Further, the information display section T1 may be provided with an electrically readable identifier such as an RFID tag instead of or together with the optically readable identifier.

[Description of usage]
An outline of how to use the weighing device 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. In addition, the following usage method is only an example, and is not limited to this. Prior to use, an operator stores powder M in each of the plurality of powder containers 21 . In this case, each powder container 21 can contain different types of powder M, or two or more powder containers 21 can contain the same type of powder M. Next, the operator attaches the powder container 21 containing the powder M to the holder 22 at the attachment/detachment position P2.

Next, the prescription information is input to the weighing device 1 via the instruction input section 9a. Then, the control section 9 controls the tray transfer section 5 to move the tray T in the tray waiting section 4 to the weighing section 3, and operates the moving mechanism 23 to move the holder 22 in a circular motion. The control unit 9 operates the information writing unit 7 to write the prescription information on the information display unit T1 provided on the tray T while the tray T is being moved. When the powder container 21 containing the powder M to be dispensed reaches the dispensing position P1, the controller 9 stops the moving mechanism 23 . When the powder container 21 containing the powder M to be dispensed is positioned at the dispensing position P<b>1 , the tray T is moved to the weighing section 3 .

Next, the control unit 9 operates the dispensing mechanism 24 to start dispensing powder. The control unit 9 controls the dispensing mechanism 24 based on the detected weight value sent from the weighing unit 3, and stops driving the dispensing mechanism 24 when the amount of powder M corresponding to the prescription information is supplied to the tray T. Let

Next, the control section 9 controls the tray transfer section 5 to move the tray T supplied with the powder from the weighing section 3 to the tray stacking section 6 . The operator holds the tray T moved to the tray stacking unit 6 by hand and throws it into a packaging device or the like.

The above description is for use in autoweigh mode. In the manual weighing mode, as in the automatic weighing mode, the tray T in the tray waiting section 4 is moved to the weighing section, and the information writing section 7 is operated during the movement to display the information display section T1 provided on the tray T. to fill in the prescribing information. When the tray T is moved to the weighing section, the control section 9 unlocks the lock section 3a. Thereby, the door 10b can be opened. The operator opens the door 10b, grasps the handle 102, and pulls out the weighing unit 3 together with the base 101 to the second position S2. The operator may place the tray T on the weighing unit 3 without moving the tray T to the weighing unit 3 by the tray transfer unit 5 . In this case, when the operator operates the device-side display section 8, the control section 9 unlocks the lock section 3a. Then, after the weighing unit is pulled out to the second position S2, the powder M is supplied to the tray T from the powder bottle. The operator adjusts the supply amount so as to correspond to the prescription information while viewing the detected weight value displayed on the display unit of the weighing unit 3 . The operator removes the tray T supplied with the powder from the weighing unit 3 and puts it into a packaging device or the like. Further, after supplying the powder M to the tray T, the weighing unit is returned to the first position S1, and the control unit 9 controls the tray transfer unit 5 in the same manner as in the automatic weighing mode so that the tray T to which the powder has been supplied is It may be moved from the weighing section 3 to the tray stacking section 6 .

[Details of supply control]
Next, the control related to the supply of the powder will be described below by dividing the point of view into three and exemplifying control A to control C. FIG. These controls A to C can be performed separately or simultaneously.

(Control A)
The control A aims to supply the powder M in a short time with a small error, and is a control that decreases the supply amount of the powder M on the way. After performing the pre-supply operation as the first supply operation, the control unit 9 performs the post-supply operation as the second supply operation.

The pre-supply operation is an operation of rotating the upper transfer body 217 and the lower transfer body 219 while the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122 are open. By this operation, the powder M is transferred by the upper transfer body 217, and the powder M is dropped from the outer peripheral hole 2181 to be supplied from the first supply port 2121, and the powder M is dropped from the inner peripheral hole 2182. The powder M is conveyed by the lower transfer body 219 and supplied from the second supply port 2122 . Since the powder M can be supplied from both supply ports 2121 and 2122 at the same time, the amount of supply per unit rotation of each transfer body 217 and 219 can be increased.

In the post-supplying operation, after the pre-supplying operation, the first supply port 2121 is closed, the powder M is transferred by the upper transfer body 217 , the powder M is dropped from the inner peripheral hole 2182 , and the powder M is dropped by the lower transfer body 219 . It is an operation of conveying M and performing a supply operation after supplying the powder M from the second supply port 2122 . Since the first supply port 2121 is closed and the powder M is supplied from the second supply port 2122, the supply amount per unit rotation amount of each transfer body 217, 219 can be reduced compared to the previous supply operation. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the number of rotations per unit time of each transfer body 217, 219 is made smaller than that in the pre-supply operation. For this reason, the supply amount is smaller than in the case of rotating for the same time as the previous supply operation.

In this control A, the control unit 9 is based on a target weight value (a preset value) related to the weight of the powder M to be supplied and a detected weight value (an ever-changing value) obtained from the weighing unit 3. It controls the powder supply unit 2b. When the intermediate weight value set smaller than the target weight value is reached during the pre-supply operation, the control unit 9 shifts to the post-supply operation. In the post-supply operation, the control section 9 intermittently rotates the lower transfer body 219 until the detected weight value obtained from the weighing section 3 reaches the target weight value. The intermittent rotation of the lower transfer body 219 is performed by an angle corresponding to the transfer area 219 a between the transfer pieces 2191 of the lower transfer body 219 .

In performing the post-supplying operation, the weight value of the powder M corresponding to the transfer area 219a between the transfer pieces 2191 of the lower transfer body 219 is stored in the storage unit 9b. Then, the control unit 9 controls the angle corresponding to the transfer area 219a between the transfer pieces 2191 corresponding to the insufficient weight value with respect to the target weight value of the detected weight value obtained from the weighing unit 3 (that is, one transfer area 219a is transferred). The lower transfer body 219 is intermittently rotated by an angle obtained by dividing the insufficient weight value by the weight value of the powder M and multiplying the angle between the transfer pieces 2191 . Thereby, the powder M can be supplied so as to reach the target weight value.

(Control B)
The control B is a control aimed at performing appropriate supply according to the properties of the powder M (for example, the powder M having the property of being easily scattered (easy to scatter)).

In performing the control B, the powder container 21 is provided with specific information associated with the driving conditions of the powder supply unit 2b for each type of the stored powder M. FIG. Specifically, the unique information is written in the RFID tag 214 .

The RFID reader/writer 233 as an information reader acquires the unique information from the RFID tag 214 of the powder container 21 . The control unit 9 sets driving conditions for the powder supply unit 2b based on the unique information acquired by the RFID reader/writer 233, controls the powder supply unit 2b so as to correspond to the driving conditions, and supplies the powder M.

The specific information includes information on the surplus supply weight value related to the amount of the powder M actually supplied after the supply stop instruction is given. The surplus supply occurs due to the time lag from when the instruction to stop the supply is issued until the powder M actually finishes falling (completely falling). Specifically, it takes time for the opening/closing body 21A to close the supply ports 2121 and 2122, and the falling powder M is present below the opening/closing body 21A. The control unit 9 supplies the powder M by controlling the powder supply unit 2b based on the target weight value of the weight of the powder M to be supplied and the surplus supply weight value.

The unique information can include information on the rotational speed of each transport 217,219. Using this information, the controller 9 can control the rotation speed of each of the transfer bodies 217 and 219 to slow down, for example, with respect to the powder M that is likely to scatter (easy to scatter). As a result, scattering (scattering) of the powder M at the time of supply can be suppressed, and the tray T can be reliably supplied. The rotational speed may be either peripheral speed or angular speed.

Further, the specific information can include information on the supply amount of the powder M corresponding to the amount of rotation of each of the transfer bodies 217 and 219 . Using this information, the transfer bodies 217 and 219 can be controlled according to the relationship between the amount of rotation of the transfer bodies 217 and 219 and the amount of powder M supplied. Here, since the transfer area 219a of the lower transfer body 219 is configured so that the volume of the powder M that can be transferred is smaller than that of the transfer area 217a of the upper transfer body 217, the powder M can be frequently supplied. be. Therefore, by including information on the supply amount of the powder M corresponding to the amount of rotation of the lower transfer body 219 in the specific information, the target weight value and surplus supply weight for the weight of the powder M to be supplied can be obtained. It is possible to improve the accuracy of supplying the powder M for filling the difference from the value.

Further, the unique information includes information on the maximum amount of powder M that can be supplied per tray T. FIG. Using this information, it is possible to control the tray T so that the powder M does not overflow.

(Control C)
Control C aims to quickly complete the supply of the powder M, and is control that sequentially switches between a plurality of supply operations in which the supply amount per unit time and the supply accuracy are set to be different.

As for the plurality of supply operations, in this embodiment, a large supply operation as a first supply operation, a medium supply operation as a second supply operation, and a small supply operation as a third supply operation are set. The control unit 9 controls the supply operation by the powder supply unit 2b in the order of large supply operation, medium supply operation, and small supply operation. The medium supply operation is an operation in which the amount of powder M supplied per unit time is smaller and the supply accuracy is higher than in the large supply operation. The small supply operation is an operation in which the amount of powder M supplied per unit time is smaller and the supply accuracy is higher than in the medium supply operation. In this embodiment, the large supply operation is an operation in which the upper transfer body 217 and the lower transfer body 219 continuously rotate with the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122 open. The intermediate supply operation is an operation in which the lower transfer body 219 continuously rotates while only the second supply port 2122 is open. The amount of rotation per unit time in the medium supply operation is set smaller than the amount of rotation per unit time in the large supply operation. The small supply operation is an operation in which the lower transfer body 219 intermittently rotates while only the second supply port 2122 is open. Although the upper transfer body 217 is also rotating during the medium supply operation and the small supply operation, the first supply port 2121 is closed. The lower conveying body 219 functions to feed the powder M downward and directly functions to supply the powder M (that is, the upper conveying body 217 functions indirectly to feed the powder M). functionally).

The "supply accuracy" is, in other words, the degree of approach when the actual supply amount (cumulative amount) approaches the target value of the powder M supply amount. In the present embodiment, the medium supply operation is such that the powder M transported by the upper transfer body 217 is not supplied from the first supply port 2121 and the lower portion narrower than the region 217a between the transfer pieces 2171 of the upper transfer body 217 is provided. Since the powder M transferred by the area 219a between the transfer pieces 2191 of the side transfer body 219 is supplied, compared to the large supply operation in which the powder M transferred by the upper transfer body 217 is supplied from the first supply port 2121. to improve supply accuracy. In addition, in the small supply operation, the lower transfer body 219 is intermittently rotated to feed in the individual transfer areas 219a of the lower transfer body 219, thereby improving the supply accuracy compared to the continuous rotation (medium supply operation). increasing. That is, in the small supply operation, by changing the rotation mode of the lower transfer body 219, the supply accuracy is enhanced.

Further, the control unit 9 controls the amount of the powder M to be supplied based on the target value designated by the user of the powder supply device 2a or the like through the instruction input unit 9a. Set the weight value. The first intermediate weight value is a value less than the target value. The first intermediate weight value is set to a value such that the value detected by the weighing unit 3 does not exceed the second intermediate weight value even if excess powder M is supplied by the large supply operation. The second intermediate weight value is less than the target value and greater than the first intermediate weight value. The second intermediate weight value is set to a value such that the value detected by the weighing unit 3 does not exceed the target value even if excess powder M is supplied by the medium supply operation. The "surplus powder M" is the powder M that is actually supplied after an instruction to stop the supply is issued. The amount of excess powder M varies depending on the specific gravity and fluidity of the powder, so it is determined for each powder M. According to the above setting, the intermediate feeding operation is always performed without omission until the second intermediate weight value is reached. Since the medium supply operation is always performed, it is possible to start the small supply operation in a state where the target value is approached, compared with, for example, suddenly shifting from a large supply operation to a small supply operation with a small supply amount. It is possible to reach the target value.

As shown in FIG. 17 (flow chart), in this control C, the control section 9 first continuously drives the payout driving section 241 of the payout mechanism 24 to perform a large supply operation (S11 in FIG. 17). Along with this, the control unit 9 rotates the opening/closing member 21A in the opening direction (S12 in FIG. 17). When the sensor (not shown) detects that the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122 are open (first open state) (S13 in FIG. 17), the opening/closing body 21A stops rotating ( S14 in FIG. 17).

When the value detected by the weighing unit 3 exceeds the first intermediate weight value, the control unit 9 terminates the large supply operation and instructs the dispensing mechanism 24 to perform the medium supply operation (S15 in FIG. 17). In the medium supply operation, similarly to the large supply operation, the payout driving section 241 of the payout mechanism 24 is continuously driven (S16 in FIG. 17). Along with this, the control unit 9 rotates the opening/closing body 21A (S17 in FIG. 17). When the sensor (not shown) detects a state in which the first supply port 2121 is closed and the second supply port 2122 is opened (second open state) (S18 in FIG. 17), the opening/closing body 21A stops rotating. (S19 in FIG. 17).

Next, when the value detected by the weighing unit 3 exceeds the second intermediate weight value, the control unit 9 terminates the medium supply operation and instructs the dispensing mechanism 24 to perform the small supply operation (S20 in FIG. 17). In the small supply operation, the continuous drive of the payout driving section 241 of the payout mechanism 24 is stopped (S21 in FIG. 17) and intermittently driven (S22 in FIG. 17). This intermittent drive is repeated until the value detected by the weighing unit 3 reaches the target value (S23 in FIG. 17). When the value detected by the weighing unit 3 reaches the target value, the control unit 9 rotates the opening/closing body 21A (S24 in FIG. 17). When the sensor (not shown) detects that the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122 are closed (fully closed state) (S25 in FIG. 17), the opening/closing member 21A stops rotating (see FIG. 17). 17 S26). Control C ends here.

After control C, the main body 24b of the dispensing mechanism 24 retreats to the rear side so that the used powder container 21 can be removed from the dispensing position P1 (S27 in FIG. 17). When a sensor (not shown) detects that the body portion 24b has moved to the standby position (S28 in FIG. 17), the retreating movement of the body portion 24b stops (S29 in FIG. 17).

During the small supply operation, the control unit 9 of the present embodiment temporarily stops the supply operation of the powder M by the powder supply unit 2b. Weight can be detected (S21-S23 in FIG. 17). Since the weight detection can be performed while the supply operation is temporarily stopped, the current supply status of the powder M can be accurately grasped. At this time, if the value detected by the weighing unit 3 is less than the target value, the control unit 9 restarts the supply operation (S22 in FIG. 17), and if the value detected by the weighing unit 3 reaches the target value ( In S23 of FIG. 17), the supply operation is terminated (moving to S24 of FIG. 17).

[Summary of embodiment]
Hereinafter, the combination of configurations in the weighing device 1 according to the above-described embodiment and the effects that can be expected from the combination of configurations will be described separately for the first to fifth embodiments. Further, the combination of configurations in the powder supply device 2a provided in the weighing device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, and the effects that can be expected from the combination of configurations will be described separately for sixth to ninth embodiments.

(First embodiment)
The weighing device 1 of the first embodiment has a powder container 21 capable of containing a powder M, a dispensing unit 2 for dispensing the powder M from the powder container 21, and a powder discharged from the powder container 21. A weighing unit 3 for placing a tray T for receiving M and weighing the powder M dispensed onto the tray T, a tray transfer unit 5 for removing the tray T from the weighing unit 3 after weighing, and a powder after weighing. and a tray stacking unit 6 on which the plurality of trays T containing M are placed.

According to the above configuration, the trays T are temporarily held in the tray stacking unit 6 by placing the plurality of trays T containing the powders M on the tray stacking unit 6 . Therefore, in a state where the tray T is placed on the tray stacking unit 6, the powder M can be supplied to the next tray. No need to remove from Moreover, since the powder M to be packaged next can be weighed even if the packaging is not completed, the operating rate of the weighing device is not lowered. Compared to a configuration in which post-processing such as packaging is performed immediately after weighing, a worker can be accommodated in an arbitrary tray T among a plurality of trays T using another dispensing device such as a packaging device. Since the powder M can be dispensed, the degree of freedom of post-processing after weighing can be increased. Further, it is possible to weigh a plurality of types of powders M, and distribute and package each of the powders M in parallel using a plurality of packing apparatuses.

The weighing device 1 also includes an information writing section 7 for writing information for identifying the powder M accommodated in the tray T to the information display section T1 provided on the tray T. As shown in FIG.

According to the above configuration, information for identifying the powder M accommodated in the tray is displayed on the information display portion provided on the tray T, so that it is possible to prevent the operator from picking up the wrong tray T. In addition, it is possible to prevent the operator from supplying the wrong powder M to the packaging device or the like in the post-process. Moreover, it is possible to prevent the wrong powder M from being supplied to the tray T manually without dispensing the powder from the powder container 21 by the dispenser 2 .

Further, the information writing section 7 writes an optically readable identifier to the information display section T1.

According to the above configuration, the information writing section 7 writes an optically readable identifier to the information display section T1. Therefore, by providing the dispensing device with a device for reading the identifier, the powder M contained in the tray T can be identified by the dispensing device.

Further, electronic paper is used as the information display section T1.

According to the above configuration, the content displayed on the information display section T1 can be held without requiring power. Further, the information displayed on the information display section T1 can be rewritten by the information writing section 7. FIG.

The tray transfer section 5 removes the tray T from the weighing section 3, and thereafter stacks the tray T in the tray stacking section 6 for each supply instruction corresponding to the prescription information.

According to the above configuration, the trays are gathered and stacked in the tray stacking unit for each supply instruction corresponding to the prescription information, so that the operator is less likely to confuse which supply instruction the tray T corresponds to.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, there is no need to remove the tray T containing the powder M from the weighing device 1 each time the powder M is supplied, and even if the packaging is not completed, the next batch is divided. Since the powder M to be packed can be weighed, the operating rate of the weighing device 1 is not lowered. In addition, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom of post-processing after weighing. In addition, a plurality of types of powder M can be packaged in parallel using, for example, a plurality of packaging devices. Therefore, it is possible to provide the weighing device 1 that can weigh the powder M efficiently and is easy to use.

(Second embodiment)
The weighing device 1 of the second embodiment includes a plurality of powder containers 21 each capable of accommodating the powder M and having a supply port (first supply port 2121 and second supply port 2122), the plurality of powder containers 21 and a dispensing mechanism 24 for dispensing the powder M from the powder containers 21 moved to a predetermined dispensing position P1 on the movement trajectory Q of the plurality of powder containers 21; , a weighing unit 3 for placing a tray T for receiving the powder M dispensed from the powder container 21 and weighing the powder M dispensed to the tray T; a tray standby unit 4 that holds the tray T; a tray transfer unit 5 that moves the tray T from the tray standby unit 4 to the weighing unit 3 and removes the tray T from the weighing unit 3 after dispensing; a post-weighing tray place 6 on which the trays T containing the powder M are placed; , the tray transfer section 5, the weighing section 3, and the post-weighing tray storage area 6 are positioned below the dispensing section 2, respectively.

According to the above configuration, a plurality of powder containers 21 are arranged in the dispensing section 2 in the horizontal direction, and the tray standby section 4, the tray transfer section 5, the weighing section 3, and the post-weighing tray storage area 6 are located below the dispensing section 2, respectively. are located on top of each other. Therefore, the space on the lower side of the dispensing section 2 can be effectively used. Therefore, since the components in the device can be arranged three-dimensionally, the device can be configured to be small in the width direction and the depth direction, and can be arranged in a narrow space.

A plurality of trays T are arranged in the depth direction in the tray standby section 4 .

According to the above configuration, since the trays T on the tray standby section 4 are arranged in the depth direction, the number of trays that can be held in the tray standby section 4 can be increased without increasing the width dimension of the apparatus.

The post-weighing tray place 6 is a tray stacking unit 6 on which a plurality of the trays T containing the weighed powders M are placed. is located.

According to the above configuration, the tray stacking section 6 on which a plurality of trays T are placed is positioned under the dispensing section 2 so that the plurality of trays T after being weighed are placed in the space below the dispensing section 2 . can be placed. Therefore, even when a plurality of trays T are placed on the weighed tray place 6, the plurality of trays T can be stacked while keeping the device compact without enlarging the device in the width direction and the depth direction.

Further, the dispensing part 2 has a plurality of holders 22 detachably holding the plurality of powder containers 21, and the plurality of holders 22 circulates on a circulating orbit Q extending from the front side to the back side. is configured as follows.

According to the above configuration, since the holding body 22 is configured to revolve on the orbit Q extending from the front side to the back side, the movement orbit Q can be overlapped between the front side and the back side in a front view. Therefore, the weighing device 1 can be configured to be small in the width direction.

In addition, the tray waiting section 4, the tray transfer section 5, the weighing section 3, and the post-weighing tray storage area 6 are positioned below the range on the front side of the loop track Q, respectively.

According to the above configuration, the tray standby section 4, the tray transfer section 5, the weighing section 3, and the tray storage area 6 after weighing are positioned below the range on the front side of the loop track Q. It is easy to access each part from the side, and it is easy to pay out manually or take out the tray T after weighing.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, since the components in the device can be arranged three-dimensionally, the device can be configured to be small in the width direction and the depth direction, and can be arranged in a narrow space. can. Therefore, it is possible to provide the weighing device 1 that can be used even in narrow installation locations.

(Third Embodiment)
The weighing device 1 of the third embodiment includes a plurality of powder containers 21 each capable of containing the powder M and having a supply port (first supply port 2121 and second supply port 2122), the plurality of powder containers 21 , a moving mechanism 23 for moving the plurality of powder containers 21 held by the holder 22, and a predetermined dispensing position on the movement track Q of the plurality of powder containers Dispensing unit 2 having dispensing mechanism 24 for dispensing powder M from powder container 21 moved to P1, and powder M dispensed from powder container 21 located below dispensing position P1. a weighing unit 3 for placing a tray T for receiving and weighing the powder M dispensed onto the tray T; The moving mechanism 23 moves the plurality of powder containers 21 in the horizontal direction, the powder containers 21 are moved to the dispensing position P1 by the moving mechanism 23, and the powder M dispensed by the dispensing mechanism 24 drops. An attachment/detachment position P2, which is accommodated in the tray T placed on the weighing unit 3 and at which the powder container 21 can be attached to and detached from the holder 22, is provided at a position different in the horizontal direction from the dispensing position P1. ing.

According to the above configuration, the position at which powder M is dispensed from powder container 21 and the position at which powder container 21 is attached to and detached from holder 22 are set at different positions in the horizontal direction. 2, the tray T is not positioned below the powder container 21 to be attached or detached. Therefore, the powder M adhering to the supply port (the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122) of the powder container 21 to be attached and detached and the holder 22 is unexpectedly placed on the weighing unit 3 or the weighing unit 3. It is possible to prevent the tray T from falling down.

Further, the plurality of holders 22 are configured to circulate on a circular orbit Q extending from the front side to the rear side, and the attachment/detachment position P2 is located in the range of the circular orbit Q on the front side.

According to the above configuration, since the attachment/detachment position P2 is located on the front side of the loop Q, the powder container 21 can be easily accessed from the front side where the operator is working, and attachment/detachment workability is good.

Further, when the attachment/detachment position P2 is based on the dispensing position P1, the holder 22 may be one to three adjacent ones.

According to the above configuration, the attachment/detachment position P2 is set at a position where one to three neighboring holding bodies 22 are positioned when the dispensing position P1 is used as a reference. Since the powder container 21 can be quickly moved to the attachment/detachment position P2, and further, after the powder container 21 is attached at the attachment/detachment position P2, the powder container 21 can be quickly moved to the dispensing position P1, the time required for attachment/detachment of the powder container 21 can be shortened. can do.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the powder M remaining in the supply port (the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122) of the powder container 21 to be attached and detached and the holder 22 is removed. It is possible to prevent accidental dropping onto the weighing unit 3 or the tray T placed on the weighing unit 3 . Therefore, mixing of different kinds of powders M (cross contamination) can be prevented, and a safe weighing device 1 can be provided.

(Fourth embodiment)
The weighing device 1 of the fourth embodiment has a powder container 21 capable of containing powder M, a dispensing unit 2 for dispensing the powder M from the powder container 21, and a powder discharged from the powder container 21. A weighing unit 3 for placing a tray T for receiving M and weighing the powder M dispensed onto the tray T, and a control unit 9 for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus. an automatic weighing mode (first mode) in which the dispensing unit 2 dispenses the powder M from the powder container 21 while being weighed by the weighing unit 3 according to the target value of the powder amount according to the supplied supply instruction; Switching between a manual weighing mode (second mode) in which the powder M put into the tray T is weighed by the weighing unit 3 without dispensing the powder M from the powder container 21 by the dispensing unit 2. can be done.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to switch between the automatic weighing mode (first mode) and the manual weighing mode (second mode). Mode) can be switched to the manual weighing mode (second mode) when supplying the powder M that cannot be dispensed (including the case where it cannot be dispensed due to insufficient remaining amount), and the desired powder M can be weighed.

Further, when the powder M related to the supply instruction is the powder M stored in the powder container 21, the control unit 9 sets the automatic weighing mode (first mode), and when the powder M is not, the above-described Enter manual weighing mode (second mode).

According to the above configuration, even if the powder M according to the supply instruction is not stored in the powder container 21, the work is performed in the manual weighing mode (second mode) so that the dispensing unit 2 is prepared. The powder M without powder can also be weighed.

Further, when the powder M to be dispensed in the automatic weighing mode (first mode) is insufficient, the control unit 9 replenishes the powder container 21 with the powder M to perform the automatic weighing mode (first mode). The operator can select whether to continue dispensing or switch to the manual weighing mode (second mode).

According to the above configuration, the powder container 21 can be replenished with the powder M in the middle of dispensing, and the dispensing can be continued. Moreover, even if the powder container 21 is not replenished with the powder M, the powder can be weighed manually. In this way, it is left to the operator's judgment whether to perform dispensing in the automatic weighing mode (first mode) or in the manual weighing mode (second mode), thereby increasing the degree of freedom of work. can.

Further, when the powder M to be dispensed in the automatic weighing mode (first mode) is insufficient, the control unit 9 terminates the operation related to the automatic weighing mode (first mode), and the manual weighing mode ( second mode).

According to the above configuration, when the powder M dispensed in the automatic weighing mode (first mode) runs short, the operation is automatically switched to the manual weighing mode (second mode), thereby simplifying the work. can.

The weighing device 1 further includes a device-side display unit 8, and the control unit 9 displays on the device-side display unit the amount of powder required to be put into the tray in the manual weighing mode (second mode). 8 is displayed.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to display the amount of powder required to be put into the tray T in the manual weighing mode (second mode) on the device side display section 8, so that the powder M to be supplied to the tray T is insufficient. The operator can grasp the amount of powder that is being measured, and the burden of manual weighing work can be reduced.

Further, the dispensing unit has a plurality of powder containers 21, and each of the powder containers 21 contains powder M by type. When there is powder M contained in one of the powder containers 21 and powder M not contained in any of the powder containers 21, the control unit 9 first switches the automatic weighing mode (first mode) to the manual weighing mode (second mode). 2 mode), or first the manual weighing mode (second mode) and then the automatic weighing mode (first mode).

According to the above configuration, by selecting the manual weighing mode (second mode) after the automatic weighing mode (first mode), the operator can A manual weighing mode (second mode) can be prepared. Alternatively, the manual weighing mode (second mode) can be manually finished first by selecting the automatic weighing mode (first mode) after the manual weighing mode (second mode). Therefore, during subsequent execution of the automatic weighing mode (first mode), there is no need for the operator to wait until the automatic weighing mode (first mode) ends.

Further, the dispensing unit has a plurality of powder containers 21, and each of the powder containers 21 contains powder M by type. When there is powder M contained in one of the powder containers 21 and powder M not contained in any of the powder containers 21, the control unit 9 first switches the automatic weighing mode (first mode) to the manual weighing mode (second mode). 2 mode).

According to the above configuration, the time during which the automatic weighing mode (first mode) is being performed (during automatic dispensing) is used to prepare for the manual work required in the manual weighing mode (second mode), for example. can be advanced, the manual weighing mode (second mode) can be entered immediately after the automatic weighing mode (first mode) ends, and weighing can be carried out efficiently.

Further, the control unit 9 is instructed to execute the manual weighing mode (second mode) during the execution of the automatic weighing mode (first mode) when dispensing a plurality of types of powders M. In this case, the automatic weighing mode (first mode) is interrupted and the manual weighing mode (second mode) is entered when the dispensing of the powder M being executed is completed.

According to the above configuration, for example, when the powder M that needs to be dispensed urgently needs to be supplied quickly by hand, the automatic weighing mode (first mode) can be interrupted and the powder can be supplied manually. In addition, when the operator is free during the automatic supply in the automatic weighing mode (first mode), the powder M can be manually supplied. In this way, even when the automatic weighing mode (first mode) is being executed, it can be switched to the manual weighing mode (second mode) at a desired timing. be able to.

Further, the dispensing unit 2 has a plurality of powder containers 21, and each of the plurality of powder containers 21 contains powder M according to type. , when there is powder M contained in one of the plurality of powder containers 21 and powder M not contained in any one of the plurality of powder containers 21, the control unit 9 switches to the manual weighing mode prior to the automatic weighing mode (first mode). (second mode), and after the end of the manual weighing mode (second mode), the automatic weighing mode (first mode).

According to the above configuration, since the manual weighing mode (second mode) can be manually finished first, during the subsequent execution of the automatic weighing mode (first mode), the automatic weighing mode (second mode) There is no need for the operator to wait until mode 1) is completed.

In addition, the weighing device 1 writes information to the information display section T1, which is provided on the tray T and displays the prescription information of the contained powder M, before the weighing section 3 starts weighing. A writing unit 7 is provided.

According to the above configuration, the information display section T1 is displayed before the weighing section 3 starts weighing. T can be sent to the post-process.

Further, the display of the information display section T1 is held until the information writing section 7 writes next time.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to grasp the amount of the powder M contained in the tray T at the time of the previous supply, so that it can be used as an index for cleaning the tray T.

Further, the weighing unit 3 is configured to be movable, and has a lock unit 3a that makes the weighing unit 3 immovable in the automatic weighing mode (first mode). The lock portion 3a is released in the mode (second mode).

According to the above configuration, even if the operator erroneously tries to use the weighing unit 3 during the execution of automatic supply in the automatic weighing mode (first mode), the lock unit 3a prevents the weighing unit 3 from moving. Interruption of the weighing mode (first mode) can be prevented. Also, in the manual weighing mode (second mode), the weighing unit 3 can be moved to the working position.

The weighing unit 3 is movable, and the control unit 9 moves the weighing unit 3 to a position where the powder M is dispensed from the powder container 21 in the automatic weighing mode (first mode). The weighing unit 3 is positioned below a given dispensing position P1, and is moved to a position where a work space for manually charging the powder M can be secured in the manual weighing mode (second mode).

According to the above configuration, during the automatic weighing mode (first mode), the weighing unit 3 cannot be moved from a location below the dispensing position P1, which is difficult for the operator to reach. In mode 1), it is possible to prevent the operator from moving the weighing unit 3 by mistake, and in the manual weighing mode (second mode), the weighing unit 3 is moved to a position where a work space can be secured. This makes it easier for workers to work.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the powder M that is not contained in the powder container 21 and cannot be dispensed in the automatic weighing mode (first mode) (including cases where the remaining amount is insufficient) is dispensed. When dispensing, the desired powder M can be weighed by switching to manual weighing mode (second mode). Therefore, it is possible to provide a weighing device capable of efficiently preparing the powder M according to the supply instruction.

(Fifth embodiment)
The weighing device 1 of the fifth embodiment includes a plurality of powder containers 21 each capable of accommodating the powder M and having a supply port (first supply port 2121 and second supply port 2122), the plurality of powder containers 21 and a dispensing mechanism 24 for dispensing the powder M from the powder containers 21 moved to a predetermined dispensing position P1 on the movement trajectory Q of the plurality of powder containers 21; , a weighing unit 3 which is positioned below the dispensing position P1 and has a tray T for receiving the powder M dispensed from the powder container 21 and weighs the powder M dispensed on the tray T; a tray standby unit 4 for holding the plurality of trays T before being moved to the weighing unit 3; The powder container 21 is moved to the dispensing position P1 by the moving mechanism 23 and is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism 24. The powder M drops and is accommodated in the tray T placed on the weighing unit 3. The control unit 9 moves the powder container 21 to the dispensing position P1. is moved from the tray waiting section 4 to the weighing section 3 .

According to the above configuration, the controller 9 moves the powder container 21 to the dispensing position P<b>1 , and then the tray transfer section 5 moves the tray T from the tray standby section 4 to the weighing section 3 . Therefore, when the powder container 21 containing the powder M not to be dispensed passes above the tray T, the powder M adhering to the supply port (the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122) of the powder container 21 and the periphery thereof Since the tray T is not placed below the supply port even if the powder M drops, it is possible to prevent the dropped powder M from entering the tray T. Thus, according to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent cross-contamination due to the tray T containing the powder M that is not to be dispensed.

Further, a shutter is provided between the dispensing unit 2 and the weighing unit 3 to prevent the powder M from falling into the weighing unit 3 from the powder container 21 moving above the weighing unit 3, The control section 9 closes the shutter while the plurality of powder containers 21 are being moved by the moving mechanism 23 , and closes the shutter after the tray transfer section 5 moves the tray T to the weighing section 3 . Open.

According to the above configuration, the control unit 9 closes the shutter while the plurality of powder containers 21 are being moved by the moving mechanism 23, and opens the shutter after the tray transfer unit 5 moves the tray T to the weighing unit 3. . Therefore, the shutter can be closed until the tray T is placed on the weighing unit 3, and the powder M not to be dispensed can be prevented from falling onto the weighing unit 3 or the tray T.

After the tray T is placed on the weighing unit 3 and after zero adjustment of the weighing unit 3, the control unit 9 opens the shutter to dispense the powder M from the powder container. .

According to the above configuration, the shutter is opened after the weighing unit 3 is zero-adjusted, so the powder M can be accurately weighed.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to prevent cross-contamination due to the tray T containing the powder M that is not to be dispensed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent mixing of different kinds of powders M (cross contamination), and to provide a safe weighing device.

(Sixth embodiment)
The powder supply device 2a of the sixth embodiment includes a powder container 21 that stores the powder M and has supply ports 2121 and 2122 formed at the bottom for dropping the powder M, and the powder container 21 intersects with the bottom of the powder container 21. A plurality of transfer pieces 2171 and 2191 that rotate about the central axis and extend radially outward are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. transfer bodies 217 and 219 for transporting; a partition body 218 that vertically partitions the inside of the powder container 21 and has an outer peripheral hole 2181 and an inner peripheral hole 2182 penetrating vertically; 21A, and the transfer bodies 217 and 219 are an upper transfer body 217 arranged above the partition body 218 to transfer the powder M placed on the partition body 218, an upper transfer body 217 for dropping M from the outer peripheral hole 2181 and the inner peripheral hole 2182; a lower transfer body 219 for transferring the powdered medicine M, the lower transfer body 219 having a narrower transfer region 219a between the transfer pieces 2191 than the upper transfer body 217; 2122 has a first supply port 2121 and a second supply port 2122, and the first supply port 2121 communicates with the outer peripheral hole 2181, drops the powder M from the outer peripheral hole 2181, and The second supply port 2122 is provided at a position offset in the circumferential direction from the inner peripheral hole 2182, and drops the powder M that has fallen from the inner peripheral hole 2182 and is transferred by the lower transfer body 219, The opening/closing body 21A can open both the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122, or can close the first supply port 2121 and open only the second supply port 2122. can.

According to the above configuration, part of the powder M transferred by the upper transfer body 217 is supplied from the first supply port 2121 . Another portion of the powder M transferred by the upper transfer body 217 is transferred by the lower transfer body 219 and supplied from the second supply port 2122 . At this time, both the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122 are opened. Since the powder M transported by the upper transfer body 217 drops from the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122 which are both opened, the powder M transported by the upper transfer body 217 falls only through the first supply port 2121. can supply more powder M than can be supplied from By closing the first supply port 2121 and opening the second supply port 2122 , the powder M transported by the upper transfer body 217 does not drop from the first supply port 2121 and is It can be transferred and supplied only from the second supply port 2122 . Since the supply amount per unit rotation amount of the transfer bodies 217 and 219 decreases, the supply amount can be adjusted. Further, in the lower transfer body 219, since the area 219a between the transfer pieces 2191 is narrower than in the upper transfer body 217, a small amount of the powder M can be transferred at fixed intervals compared to the upper transfer body 217. Therefore, a small amount of the powder M can be transferred. It is possible to accurately supply each fixed quantity.

Moreover, the second supply port 2122 is provided at a position that is circumferentially displaced from the first supply port 2121 and that overlaps with the first supply port 2121 in the radial direction.

According to the above configuration, the opening area of the second supply port 2122 can be increased by displacing the second supply port 2122 from the first supply port 2121 in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the second supply port 2122 can be opened radially with some margin in the area 219a between the transfer pieces 2191 of the lower transfer body 219. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the powder M transferred by the lower transfer body 219 can be reliably supplied to the object to be supplied.

Also, the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122 are provided at positions close to each other on the bottom of the powder container 21 .

According to the above configuration, the positions at which the powder M drops from the supply ports 2121 and 2122 can be made closer. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the dropped powder M from coming off the object to be supplied.

In addition, an outer peripheral partition 2183 is provided so as to surround the outer edge of the lower transfer body 219 and partition the area in which the lower transfer body 219 rotates from the outer diameter area of the area.

According to the above configuration, the outer peripheral partition portion 2183 can guide the powder M transferred by the lower transfer body 219 so as not to escape to the outer peripheral side. Therefore, the powder M transferred by the lower transfer body 219 can be reliably supplied.

In addition, the outer peripheral partition portion 2183 extends downward from the lower surface of the partition body 218 .

According to the above configuration, the outer peripheral partition portion 2183 can be integrated with the partition body 218, and the number of components of the powder supply device 2a can be reduced.

Further, an outer peripheral hole shielding body 2161 for shielding the outer peripheral hole 2181 is provided above the upper transfer body 217 .

According to the above configuration, the peripheral hole shield 2161 can prevent the pressure of the powder M stored in the powder container 21 from being directly applied to the peripheral hole 2181, so that the powder M can be prevented from agglomerating in the peripheral hole 2181. . Therefore, the powder M can be supplied at a uniform density from the first supply port 2121 communicating with the outer peripheral hole 2181 . Also, since only the powder M transferred from the upper transfer body 217 can be supplied from the first supply port 2121, a fixed amount of powder can be supplied.

In addition, an inner peripheral hole shielding body 2162 for shielding the inner peripheral hole 2182 is provided above the upper transfer body 217 .

According to the above configuration, the pressure of the powder M itself stored in the powder container 21 can be prevented from being directly applied to the inner peripheral hole 2182 by the inner peripheral hole shield 2162, so that the powder M aggregates in the inner peripheral hole 2182. You can prevent it from happening. Further, since the pressure of the powder M itself is not applied to the lower transfer body 219, the lower transfer body 219 can be rotated smoothly.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, more powder M can be supplied than when the powder M transported by the upper transport body 217 is supplied only from the first supply port 2121 . Further, since the supply amount per unit rotation amount of the transfer bodies 217 and 219 can be reduced, the supply amount can be adjusted. Furthermore, a small amount of powder M can be accurately supplied for each fixed quantity. Therefore, it is possible to provide the powder supply device 2a that can adjust the amount of supply and can accurately supply a small amount of powder M for each fixed amount.

(Seventh embodiment)
The powder supply device 2a of the seventh embodiment includes a powder container 21 that stores the powder M and has supply ports 2121 and 2122 formed at the bottom for dropping the powder M; and a control unit 9 for controlling the powder supply unit 2b. The powder supply unit 2b rotates around a central axis intersecting the bottom of the powder container 21. A plurality of transfer pieces 2171 and 2191 extending in the radially outward direction are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction, and rotate to transfer the powder M positioned in transfer regions 217a and 219a between the transfer pieces 2171 and 2191. transfer bodies 217 and 219; a partition body 218 that vertically partitions the inside of the powder container 21 and has an outer peripheral hole 2181 and an inner peripheral hole 2182 penetrating vertically; , and the transfer bodies 217 and 219 are an upper transfer body 217 that is arranged above the partition body 218 and transfers the powder M placed on the partition body 218. and an upper transporting body 217 that drops from the outer peripheral hole 2181 and the inner peripheral hole 2182 , and is arranged below the partitioning body 218 to rotate coaxially with the upper transporting body 217 and drop from the inner peripheral hole 2182 . a lower transfer body 219 for transferring the powder M, the lower transfer body 219 having a narrower transfer region 219a between the transfer pieces 2191 than the upper transfer body 217; has a first supply port 2121 and a second supply port 2122. The first supply port 2121 communicates with the outer peripheral hole 2181, drops the powder M from the outer peripheral hole 2181, and The second supply port 2122 is provided at a position displaced in the circumferential direction from the inner peripheral hole 2182, and drops the powder M that has fallen from the inner peripheral hole 2182 and is transferred by the lower transfer body 219. The opening/closing body 21A can open both the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122, or can close the first supply port 2121 and open only the second supply port 2122. , the control unit 9 rotates the upper transfer body 217 and the lower transfer body 219 in a state in which the first supply port 2121 and the second supply port 2122 are opened, and the upper transfer body 217 is rotated. , the powder M is dropped from the outer peripheral hole 2181 to be supplied from the first supply port 2121, and the powder M is dropped from the inner peripheral hole 2182 to the lower transfer body 219 conveys the powder M, performs a pre-supply operation of supplying the powder M from the second supply port 2122, then closes the first supply port 2121, and transfers the powder M by the upper transfer body 217. Then, the powder M is dropped from the inner peripheral hole 2182, the powder M is conveyed by the lower transfer body 219, and the powder M is supplied from the second supply port 2122. Then, the supply operation is performed.

According to the above configuration, when the powder M is started to be supplied, the supply amount per unit rotation can be increased by the pre-supply operation, and when the target amount is approached, the supply amount per unit rotation can be decreased by the post-supply operation. Therefore, it is possible to supply the target amount accurately in a short time.

Further, a weighing unit 3 for detecting the weight of the powder M supplied from the powder container 21 is further provided. The powder supply unit 2b is controlled based on the detected weight value and the control unit 9 reaches an intermediate weight value set smaller than the target weight value during the pre-supply operation. It shifts to the post-supply operation.

According to the above configuration, the supply amount can be increased by the pre-supply operation until the intermediate weight value is reached, and the supply amount can be decreased by the post-supply operation after the intermediate weight value is reached. Therefore, based on the intermediate weight value, it is possible to control the supply to reach the target amount in a short time with high accuracy.

In the post-supply operation, the control section 9 intermittently rotates the lower transfer body 219 until the detected weight value obtained from the weighing section 3 reaches the target weight value.

According to the above configuration, intermittent rotation of the lower transfer body 219 allows the powder M to be fed while gradually approaching the target weight value.

Also, the intermittent rotation is performed by an angle corresponding to the transfer area 219 a between the transfer pieces 2191 of the lower transfer body 219 .

According to the above configuration, the amount of powder M supplied for each intermittent rotation matches the amount of powder M positioned in the transfer area 219a between the transfer pieces 2191 of the lower transfer body 219, so control to approach the target weight value is performed. Easy to do.

Further, a storage unit for storing the weight value of the powder M corresponding to the transfer area 219a between the transfer pieces 2191 of the lower transfer body 219 is provided. The lower transfer body 219 is rotated by an angle corresponding to the transfer area 219a between the transfer pieces 2191 corresponding to the insufficient weight value with respect to the target weight value.

According to the above configuration, it is easy to determine the amount of rotation of the lower transfer body 219 with respect to the insufficient weight value.

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, it is possible to accurately supply the target amount in a short period of time. Therefore, it is possible to provide the powder supply device 2a capable of supplying the powder M in a short time with a small error.

(Eighth embodiment)
A powder supply device 2a of the eighth embodiment includes a powder container 21 for storing powder M, a powder supply unit 2b for supplying powder M from the powder container 21 to an object to be supplied, and the powder supply unit 2b. The powder container 21 is provided with unique information associated with the drive conditions of the powder supply unit 2b for each type of stored powder M, and the unique information is An information reading unit (RFID reader/writer 233) is provided to acquire information from the powder container 21, and the control unit 9 controls the powder supply unit 2b based on the unique information acquired by the information reading unit (RFID reader/writer 233). Driving conditions are set, and the powder supply unit 2b is controlled so as to correspond to the driving conditions to supply the powder M.

According to the above configuration, the control of the powder supply unit 2b by the control unit 9 can be optimized according to the type of the powder M.

Further, the unique information includes information on a surplus supply weight value related to the amount of the powder M actually supplied after the supply stop instruction is given, and the control unit 9 determines the weight of the powder M to be supplied. Based on the target weight value and the surplus supply weight value, the powder supply unit 2b is controlled to supply the powder M.

According to the above configuration, the control unit 9 controls the powder supply unit 2b using the surplus supply weight value in the unique information to supply the powder M, thereby supplying the powder M so as not to exceed the target weight value. and can be delivered in precise amounts.

The powder container 21 is provided with supply ports 2121 and 2122 that are open to the outside and supply the powder M. It has transfer bodies 217 and 219 that transfer toward supply ports 2121 and 2122, and the specific information includes information on the rotational speed of the transfer bodies 217 and 219.

According to the above configuration, by including the information on the rotational speed of the transfer bodies 217 and 219 in the specific information, for example, with respect to the powder M that is likely to scatter (easily scatter), the controller 9 controls the rotational speed of the transfer bodies 217 and 219. It is possible to control the speed to be delayed, and to reliably supply the powder M to the object to be supplied.

The powder container 21 is provided with supply ports 2121 and 2122 that are open to the outside and supply the powder M. It has transfer bodies 217 and 219 that transfer toward supply ports 2121 and 2122 , and the specific information includes information on the supply amount of powder M corresponding to the amount of rotation of the transfer bodies 217 and 219 .

According to the above configuration, since the transfer bodies 217 and 219 are controlled according to the relationship between the amount of rotation of the transfer bodies 217 and 219 and the amount of powder M supplied, the transfer bodies 217 and 219 rotate according to the target weight value. It is possible to determine the amount.

Further, the specific information includes information on the maximum amount of powder M that can be supplied per supply object.

According to the above configuration, by performing control based on the unique information, the maximum amount of the powder M can be supplied without causing the powder M to overflow from the object to be supplied.

As described above, according to the eighth embodiment, the control of the powder supply unit 2b by the control unit 9 can be optimized according to the type of the powder M. Therefore, it is possible to provide the powder supply device 2a capable of appropriately supplying the powder M according to its properties.

(Ninth embodiment)
The powder supply device 2a of the ninth embodiment includes a powder supply unit 2b that supplies the powder M, a weighing unit 3 that detects the weight of the powder M supplied from the powder supply unit 2b, and detection of the weighing unit 3. a control unit 9 for controlling the supply operation by the powder supply unit 2b based on the value, and the control unit 9 controls the large supply operation and the supply amount per unit time smaller than that of the large supply operation. and a medium supply operation with high supply accuracy, and a small supply operation with a smaller supply amount per unit time and higher supply accuracy than the medium supply operation, and further, the control unit 9 is a first intermediate weight value smaller than the target value and a second intermediate weight value smaller than the target value and larger than the first intermediate weight value, based on a target value specified for the amount of powder M to be supplied. After setting an intermediate weight value, when the value detected by the weighing unit 3 exceeds the first intermediate weight value, the control unit 9 terminates the large supply operation and executes the medium supply operation, When the value detected by the weighing unit 3 exceeds the second intermediate weight value, the control unit 9 terminates the medium feeding operation and executes the small feeding operation, and the value detected by the weighing unit 3 reaches the target value. , the control unit 9 terminates the small feeding operation, and the first intermediate weight value is the weight value obtained by the weighing unit 3 even if excess powder M is supplied by the large feeding operation. The detected value is set to a value that does not exceed the second intermediate weight value, and the second intermediate weight value is set so that the detected value by the weighing unit 3 is the above-mentioned value even if the excess powder M is supplied by the medium supply operation. It is set to a value that does not exceed the target value.

If the supply operation of the powder supply unit 2b is controlled based on the value detected by the weighing unit 3, the powder M may be supplied excessively. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, the medium supply operation has a smaller supply amount per unit time and a higher supply accuracy than the large supply operation. Therefore, the amount of the powder M supplied in excess in the medium supply operation is smaller than the amount of the powder M supplied in excess in the large supply operation, and the variation in the weight of the powder M supplied in excess can be reduced. . Further, the first intermediate weight value is set so as not to exceed the second intermediate weight value even if excess powder M is supplied by the large supply operation. Action can be performed. By performing the medium supply operation, the powder M can be supplied with high accuracy with respect to the target value. Therefore, it is possible to start the small supply operation in which the amount of powder M supplied is smaller than the target value and the amount of powder M supplied is smaller and the powder can be supplied more precisely. Further, by performing a large supply operation with a large supply amount, the time required for the entire supply operation can be shortened.

Further, during the small supply operation, the control unit 9 temporarily stops the supply operation of the powder M by the powder supply unit 2b. The weight of the powder M is detected, and when the value detected by the weighing unit 3 is less than the target value, the control unit 9 resumes the supply operation, and the value detected by the weighing unit 3 reaches the target value. is reached, the supply operation is terminated.

According to the above configuration, since the weight is detected while the supply operation is temporarily stopped, the current state of supply of the powder M can be accurately grasped.

As described above, according to the ninth embodiment, the variation in the weight of the powder M supplied in excess can be reduced. Further, in a state in which an amount of powder M close to the target value is supplied, a small supply operation can be started in which the supply amount is smaller and precise supply can be performed. Further, by performing a large supply operation with a large supply amount, the time required for the entire supply operation can be shortened.
Therefore, it is possible to provide the powder supply device 2a capable of quickly completing the supply.

[Possibility of changing the embodiment]
The weighing device 1 (including the powder supply device 2a) of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. In other words, even with respect to configurations not explicitly stated in the above embodiment, it is possible to make changes within the scope of the present invention with respect to configurations that have the same effect as the configurations explicitly described, and it is intentional that the configurations are not explicitly described. It is not excluded from

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the powder supply device 2a as the powder supply device is provided in the weighing device 1, but the present invention is not limited to this aspect. The granular material supply device can be established as one that functions alone. Further, the powdery material supply device may be provided in a device other than the weighing device.

Further, the powdery material, which is the object to be supplied in the powdery material supply apparatus of the above-described embodiment, is the powdered medicine M, which is a drug in the form of powder or granules. However, it is not limited to this, and various powders and grains other than medicines (for example, powders related to food such as wheat flour and powders related to industrial materials such as cement) can be supplied objects.

Further, regarding the tray stacking section 6, it is also possible to provide a display corresponding to each section in which each tray T is placed. In this case, for example, when the packaging information is called by the packaging device related to the post-process, the corresponding display can be configured to display. An LED lamp, for example, can be used as the indicator. This configuration is advantageous in that the section on the tray stacking unit 6 corresponding to the packaging information can be recognized, and the operator can easily recognize the tray T required for packaging.

Further, regarding the weighing unit 3, there are provided two of a first weighing unit for weighing the powder M dispensed from the powder container 21 onto the tray T and a second weighing unit for manually weighing the powder M put into the tray. can also In this case, the tray transfer section 5 can be configured to distribute the trays T to the first weighing section or the second weighing section according to the automatic weighing mode or the manual weighing mode.

Regarding the control unit 9, when a plurality of supply instructions are input to the weighing device 1 and an instruction to dispense the same powder M is included in the plurality of supply instructions, the control unit 9 The order can also be set so that Ms are paid out consecutively. As a result, it is possible to shorten the entire dispensing time corresponding to a plurality of supply instructions.

Further, regarding the control unit 9, it is possible to determine whether the control unit 9 should be in the automatic weighing mode or the manual weighing mode according to the information of the powder type included in the supply instruction. For example, with regard to controlled drugs (poisons, powerful drugs, narcotics, psychotropics, etc.), if cross-contamination occurs, serious adverse effects may occur. Dispensing of medicines can be done manually.

Further, regarding the control unit 9, a camera capable of photographing the display unit of the weighing unit (electronic balance) 3 is provided. It can also be configured to confirm whether or not the weighing value J7 displayed on the display section T1 matches.

In addition, regarding the tray T, in the above-described embodiment, the case where electronic paper is used as the information display section T1 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various display means such as a liquid crystal screen can be used. Furthermore, a printable sheet such as paper may be used as the information display portion T1 and a printer may be used as the information writing portion 7, although convenience is reduced.

In addition, regarding the tray T, each tray can be provided with unique identification information. In this case, the control unit 9 can store the corresponding relationship between a specific tray T and the powder M contained in the tray T, and the powder M contained in the tray T can be fixed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of cross contamination due to the presence of different types of powder M on the tray T.

Moreover, regarding the tray T, it is also possible to use a plurality of trays T having different capacities. In this case, the controller 9 can also store the corresponding relationship between the tray T of a specific capacity and the powder M accommodated in the tray T. FIG. As a result, a large-capacity tray T can be used for powders M with a large dispensing amount, and a small-capacity tray T can be used for powders M with a small dispensing amount. Therefore, the powder M can be easily taken out when passing to the post-process.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Weighing device, 2... Dispensing part, 2a... Granular material supply apparatus (powder supply apparatus), 2b... Granular material supply part (powder supply part), 21... Container (powder container), 211... Body part, 212 ...Bottom member 2121...Discharge port (first supply port) 2122...Discharge port (second supply port) 213...Lid portion 214...RFID tag 215...Agitating body 216...Shielding body 2161...Peripheral hole Shield 2162 Inner peripheral hole shield 217 Transfer body (upper transfer body) 2171 Transfer piece of upper transfer body 217a Region between transfer pieces (transfer region) 218 Partition 2181 Outer periphery Hole 2182... Inner peripheral hole 2183... Outer peripheral partition 219... Transfer body (lower transfer body) 2191... Transfer piece of lower transfer body 219a... Area between transfer pieces (transfer area) 21A... Opening and closing Body, 22... Holding body, 221... Holding main body, 221a... Communication port, 223... Fixed part, 23... Moving mechanism, 231... Moving main body, 231a... Fixed part, 232... Moving driving part, 233... Information reading part ( RFID reader/writer), 24 Dispensing mechanism, 241 Dispensing drive section, 25 Table, 251 Opening, 3 Weight detection section (weighing section), 3a Lock section, 4 Tray standby section, 41 Waiting tray transfer Part 42 Standby drive unit 5 Tray transfer unit 51 Transfer unit main body 51a Arm 52 Transfer drive unit 6 Tray stacking unit (place for placing tray after weighing) 6X, 6Y Parallel tray stacking unit , 61... Accumulation tray transfer unit 62... Accumulation drive unit 7... Information writing unit 8... Apparatus side display unit 9... Control unit 9a... Instruction input unit 9b... Storage unit 10... Housing 10a Detachable window 101 Mounting base M Powder P1 Dispensing position P2 Detachable position Q Movement trajectory (circumferential trajectory) Q1 Straight trajectory Q2 Curved trajectory S1 First position S2 Second position, T: object to be supplied (tray), T1: information display part

Claims (4)

a dispensing unit for dispensing the powder from the powder container;
an opening/closing body for opening and closing the supply port of the powder container;
a shutter for opening and closing a path of the powder dispensed from the supply port;
a moving mechanism for moving the powder container to a dispensing position;
the shutter is closed while the powder container is being moved to the dispensing position by the moving mechanism;
The powder dispensing device, wherein the shutter is opened after the powder container is moved to the dispensing position by the moving mechanism, the opening/closing body is opened, and dispensing of the powder is started by the dispensing section. A tray for containing the dispensed powder is placed on the dispensing unit, and a weighing unit for weighing the powder to be stored in the tray,
The powder dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the shutter is positioned above the tray placed on the weighing unit. 3. The powder dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the shutter is opened after the tray is placed on the weighing unit. The powder dispensing device according to claim 2 or 3 ,
A combination of the powder dispensing device and the packaging device, comprising: a packaging device for packaging the powder contained in the tray.

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