JPH09182779A - Drug supplying method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable to effectively supply drugs to any of a drug packaging device by relatively moving a supply hopper to a drug storage part, actuating the supply hopper with lids of storage compartments being opened, and supplying drugs in the supplying hopper to the storage compartments. SOLUTION: In this drug supplying device of the drug packaging device, a main body case 1 is composed of a drug storage part 2 at its upper part and a packaging unit 3 at its lower part, and a drug supplying unit 4 is attached on the drug storage part 2 so that the drug supplying unit 4 can move freely. The drug storage part 2 is divided into many compartments 6 inside the main body case 1, and a tablet case 7 for storing a certain amount of various drugs is set in each compartments 6. The drug supplying unit 4 is structured in such a manner that a connection arm 17 is connected between right and left carriages 16 which run on both top edges of the main body case 1 as a rail, and a supplying hopper 19 is attached to a slide base 18 which can freely move in the longitudinal direction of the connection arm 17.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medicine replenishing method for replenishing tablets in a tablet storage unit of a medicine packaging apparatus for dispensing and packaging tablets according to a prescription.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In hospitals and pharmacies, a packaging device for packaging necessary medicines such as tablets and powders according to a doctor's prescription is used, and various types of such medicine packaging devices are known. A medicine packaging device generally includes a medicine container,
It is provided with a dispensing or conveying section, a printer, a medicine bag sealing section, a medicine bag supplying section, a cutter and the like.

Several hundred kinds of medicines are stored in the medicine storing section, and if these are used, it is necessary to replenish the medicines used. Needless to say, inventory management for replenishing the medicines is required. A device for performing the operation is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication
No. 68 publication. In the packaging device disclosed in this publication, a tablet case is detachably inserted into a large number of storage compartments in which a medicine storage portion is partitioned by a grid-like partition wall, and tablets are aligned and dispensed via a drive unit in the tablet case. Then, the packaging unit at the bottom is used for packaging.

A predetermined amount of tablets are stored in the tablet case, and when the tablets are dispensed by controlling the drive unit in accordance with a command from the control unit, the control means causes the supporting means to confirm the stock quantity of the tablet cases. Based on the above, the stock number of each tablet case is searched by the search means, and the search result is displayed on the display device so that the tablet replenishment is easy.

[0005]

By the way, although the stock management device according to the above-mentioned patent publication can confirm and display the stock quantity in each tablet case by the supporting means,
For inventory management, it is necessary to manually replace a tablet case with a shortage of tablets by knowing that the displayed inventory quantity has fallen below a predetermined appropriate inventory quantity by a display different from other tablet cases.

The situation is the same in other types of packaging devices, and it is a general rule that the replenishment of the drug is performed manually. However, in each type of packaging device, the number of types of medicines increases, and the medicine storage unit as a whole becomes large in size in order to secure a certain quantity of medicines in stock for each kind.

For this reason, in any type of packaging device, when replenishing the shortage of stock, a storage portion that is difficult for humans to reach is generated. In some cases, it is necessary to relocate the medicines and refill the medicines into the predetermined storage portion by groping. For this reason, the medicine replenishment work is extremely inefficient, labor-intensive, time-consuming, and cumbersome, and in rare cases, there may be a mistake in that the medicine is replenished to the adjacent storage portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of such conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a drug replenishing method capable of efficiently replenishing a drug to any part of the drug wrapping device and reliably supplying the drug.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a drug packaging device which can realize the above drug replenishing method simply and at low cost.

[0010]

As a method for solving the above-mentioned first problem, the present invention moves a replenishment hopper for replenishing medicines relative to a medicine container of a medicine packaging device to store medicines. In a medicine replenishing method, the replenishment hopper is operated in a state in which the lids of the respective storage compartments are opened by utilizing the relative movement at a predetermined division position of the portion to replenish the medicines in the replenishment hopper to the storage compartments. Of.

In the above-mentioned medicine replenishing method, it is premised that a prescribed kind of medicine to be replenished is stored in the replenishing hopper in advance. The replenishment hopper containing the prescribed medicine moves if the medicine storage unit of the medicine packaging device is of the fixed type or drawer shelf type, and if the rotation storage drum type, the medicine storage unit and the replenishment hopper move together for replenishment. When the hopper comes to the predetermined partition position of the medicine storage section, the medicine is replenished to the predetermined partition section from the supply hopper there.

In this case, a lid is provided in each of the compartments in the medicine container, and the lid must be opened in order to replenish the medicine from the replenishing hopper. The lid is opened by moving. It should be noted that the reason why a lid is provided for each compartment is to prevent the influence of moisture on the stored medicine.

In the above method, the medicine is stored in advance in the supply hopper, and it is possible for the pharmacist to visually confirm the storage of the medicine. However, as in the second aspect of the invention, the predetermined medicine is previously stored in the supply hopper. To identify the identity by comparing the identification indication displayed on the medicine supply container containing the medicine required for replenishment with the instruction of the medicine requiring replenishment and transferring the medicine from the replenishment container to the supply hopper. It is preferable to add it.

As means for solving the second problem, a medicine container for accommodating various kinds of medicines in a plurality of compartments for storing medicines,
A medicine replenishment including a packaging unit that guides medicines delivered by a delivery mechanism provided in this storage portion to a predetermined position and packages the medicines, and a replenishment hopper that moves relatively to the storage portion and replenishes the required medicines. Equipped with a unit,
It is also possible to employ a medicine packaging device in which a lid is provided in each of the compartments for storing the medicine and the lid is opened by utilizing the relative movement of the replenishing unit to replenish the medicine from the replenishing hopper.

In this medicine packing device, it is needless to say that a general medicine packing process is carried out in which a required medicine is dispensed from the medicine container based on the medicine information based on a prescription and the medicine is packed in a packing unit. The above-mentioned medicine replenishment method can be implemented in the medicine replenishment unit.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 show a medicine replenishing device of the medicine packaging device according to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, a drug storage unit 2 is provided in the upper part of the main body case 1 and a packaging unit 3 is provided in the lower part, and a drug supply unit 4 is movably installed on the drug storage unit 2. The drug packaging device including the drug storage unit 2 and the packaging unit 3 has basically the same configuration as the drug packaging machine disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-85202, and therefore only the schematic configuration will be briefly described below. To do.

The medicine container 2 is divided into a large number of compartments 6 by a partition plate 5 on the inner side of the upper portion of the main body case 1 and stores a predetermined amount of various medicines in the compartments 6 extending in the depth direction of the case. The tablet cases 7 are set in predetermined positions so that they can be inserted and removed. Although not shown, the tablet case 7 is provided with a storage case for storing tablets and a mechanism section for dropping the tablets one by one from the case, and a signal from a control section 8 described later is provided. The detection signal is sent to the control section every time the tablet drops and passes through the mechanism section.

The tablets dropped from the tablet case 7 are
It is collected at a predetermined position by a hopper 9 provided below it, and when it falls on a conveyor 11 via a guide 10, it is further sent to a predetermined position in the conveyor feeding direction and wrapped in a packaging sheet T by a guide arm 12. Is configured as follows. As for the packaging sheet T, a folded sheet is fed out from the supply roller 13 and the printer 14 performs necessary printing at a predetermined position in the longitudinal direction of the sheet, and then the guide arm 12 is inserted into the opening side of the folded sheet. Then, the tablet is inserted, and thereafter, the tablet is sealed at a predetermined interval by a T-shaped or L-shaped heat seal 15, and the tablet is packaged for each patient.

The medicine replenishing unit 4 is of a moving trolley type, and the left and right trolleys 16 traveling on the upper ends 1a of both side walls of the main body case 1 as running rails are connected to the connecting arm 1.
A replenishing hopper 19 is attached to a slide base 18 that is connected by means of 7 and is movable on the connecting arm in the length direction of the arm. The carriage 16 is driven by an X-axis slide motor 32 that drives traveling wheels, and the slide base 18 is Y
The pinion 17b is rotationally driven by the shaft slide motor 33, the pinion 17b is rotationally engaged, and the slide base 18
A rack 17a is provided on the end wall of the connecting arm 17 to move the.

4 to 6 show details of the medicine supply unit 4. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the relationship between the tablet case 7 at an arbitrary position and the medicine supply unit 4. The illustrated replenishing unit 4 shows a state in which the replenishing hopper 19 has just come right above the center position of the tablet cases 7 adjacent to each other. A wheel 20 and a hopper motor 34 that opens and closes a bottom plate 19a of the supply hopper 19 are mounted in a hanging manner below the slide base 18 and the supply hopper 19 of the supply unit 4.

A lid 7a that can be opened and closed is provided at the upper end of the tablet case 7, and the lid 7a is formed in two and can be opened and closed by a link mechanism 7b. Lid 7
“A” is provided to close the tablet case 7 except when necessary to prevent the medicine from being wet.

As shown in detail in FIG. 6, the link mechanism 7b includes a rotary link 71, a connecting link 72, and an opening / closing lever 73.
The rotation link 71 rotates around an axis 74 provided at the upper end of the tablet case 7 and the other axis 7
It is rotatably attached to the lid 7a via the 5. The two connecting links 76, 76 are centrally connected by a shaft 76a, a spring 77 is provided between the two links, and another spring 78 is provided between the one link 76 and the opening / closing lever 73.
Is provided.

As shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 4, when the lid 7a of the tablet case 7 is closed, the wheel 20 does not interfere with the link mechanism 7b, so that the replenishing unit 4 can freely move in the Y-axis direction. . When trying to open the lid 7a of a predetermined tablet case 7, the replenishment unit 4
Is moved in the Y-axis direction to substantially coincide with the center of the tablet case 7 and stopped, and the slide base 16 is moved in the X-axis direction to move the supply hopper 19 to the position shown in FIG. . At this time, the wheel 20 is substantially aligned with the opening / closing lever 73 of the link mechanism 7b.

When the slide base 16 is further moved in the X-axis direction so as to have the relationship of (a) to (b) of FIG. 5, the wheel 20 rides on the opening / closing lever 73 and pushes down the opening / closing lever 73. Therefore, the entire link mechanism 7b is lowered, and at the same time, the angle formed by the two connecting links 72 is widened so as to be large. Therefore, the axial distance between the two shafts 75 and 75 is increased, and the rotary links 71 and 71 are eventually rotated. The halves of the lids 7a, 7a attached to this are opened.

When closing the lids 7a and 7a, the springs 77 and 78 can be moved by moving the replenishing unit 4 in the opposite direction.
As a result, the two connecting links 72 return to their original state and the lid 7a is closed.

FIG. 7 shows an overall block diagram of a circuit for controlling each drive unit of the medicine packaging device. In the figure, 100
Is a host computer, and drug information based on a prescription is sent to the arithmetic control unit 30. This drug information is a patient name or a patient code symbol, a necessary drug code symbol, a required amount, and the like.

As shown in the figure, the arithmetic control unit 30 includes a display device 31, a motor 32 (X axis) for the drug supply unit, and 3
3 (Y-axis), a hopper motor 34, a packaging device 35, a payout mechanism 36, etc. are connected, and control signals for controlling these are sent out to mainly perform the medicine packaging work. The wrapping device 35 is a unit that drives the feed rollers for feeding the wrapping sheet T, the printer 14, the heat seal 15, the conveyor 11, and other effective parts.

The drug information based on the prescription is calculated by the arithmetic control unit 30.
When the tablets are delivered to the dispensing mechanism 36 from the tablet case 7 having the dispensing mechanism 36, the tablets are dispensed one by one. When the tablets are dispensed one by one, the switch signal SW is detected. And is sent to the calculation control unit 30 each time. As a result, the amount of each drug in the storage memory of the arithmetic control unit 30 is subtracted by the subtraction counter.

In the schematic view of the medicine container 2 shown in FIG. 7, a circle mark indicates a switch SW for detecting the passage of tablets in the tablet case 7 inserted in the compartment 6. Further, the signal line from the motors 32 and 33 to the arithmetic control unit 30 is a signal line that sends a pulse signal indicating the movement amount of each motor 32 and 33, and the position of the replenishment hopper 19 in the arithmetic control unit 30 is generated by this pulse signal. Is detected by calculation. The motor 32,
Although 33 is also shown at the right end in the figure for convenience, the right one indicates that it is a motor controlled by a drive circuit, and is the same motor as that in the medicine storage unit 2.

The motors 32 and 33 of the medicine replenishing unit 4 use the above-mentioned medicines from the memory map of the arithmetic control section 30 corresponding to each division position of the medicine storing section 2 so as to stop the replenishing hopper 19 at a predetermined position of the medicine storing section 2. The storage position of the specific medicine specified by the information is read, and the unit is driven to move to a predetermined position based on the read signal. At this time, at the same time, in order to detect whether or not the movement of the unit exactly matches the predetermined position, a signal indicating the number of revolutions of the motor or the traveling amount is fed back to the arithmetic control unit 30, and the unit is moved to the designated position. Sent.

As shown in FIG. 1, a bar code reader 51 and a base plate 52 are provided outside the main body case 1,
Bar code 54 displayed on the tablet container 53 on the base plate 52
By reading, it is possible to confirm whether the medicine in the tablet container 53 matches the instructed medicine. Figure 7
As shown in, the read signal of the barcode reader 51 is sent to the arithmetic control unit 30.

Although not shown, the arithmetic control unit 30
Is equipped with a storage unit for storing various record data. The storage unit stores and records the dispensing record data and the replenishment record data, which can be displayed on a display or a printer (not shown) as needed at a later date. It can also be launched. The dispensing record data includes a drug name, the number of tablets, a dispensing amount, a drug type, a dispensing date, etc. instructed by a prescription for each patient. The replenishment record data is a record including the code symbol of the tablet case to be replenished, the code symbol of the tablet container storing the medicine, the code symbol of the tablet, the coordinate position of the tablet case, and the progress of the replenishment work.

In the medicine packing apparatus of the first embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, the medicine is replenished as follows with respect to the lack of the medicine caused by the use of the medicine.

First, a predetermined amount of tablets are stored in each of a large number of tablet cases 7 in the medicine packaging apparatus, but these tablets are different or the same kind for each tablet case 7, and each tablet case 7 is different.
Is inserted into the medicine storage unit 2. When the drug information from the host computer 100 is sent to the drug packing device prepared in this way, the tablet is dispensed via the dispensing mechanism 36 of the designated tablet case 7 and sent to the packaging device to be sent to each patient. Each time, the required tablets are packed in the required amount in the packaging sheet.

When the tablets necessary for a large number of patients are dispensed from the medicine container 2 in this way, the tablet cases 7 in the specific compartments will be refilled below the preset number of tablets accommodated in the tablet case 7. The need arises. However, if the set storage number is completely without tablets,
Alternatively, the number of remaining tablets may be less than or equal to a predetermined number. The present invention automatically replenishes the medicine in such a case, and specifically, the medicine is replenished as follows according to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S ₁ , the quantity of medicine is read. The count of this quantity is performed by the above-mentioned dispensing mechanism separately from the control by the flowchart shown in FIG.
It is premised that the calculation control unit 8 subtracts from the maximum number of tablets stored in the tablet case 7 for each partition position by the counter unit on the basis of a switch signal sent each time the tablet case 7 is dispensed. Is.

If the above-mentioned quantity reading is less than the set storage number of tablets in any of the tablet cases 7, it means that the medicine is out of stock, and if it is detected in step S ₂ that the storage number is less than the set storage number, the step is carried out. In S ₃ , the names of the missing chemicals (codes) and the corresponding partition position numbers (coordinates) are displayed on the display device 31, and the supply hopper 19 is moved to the standby position. The standby position may be on a specific position of an arbitrary partition position of the medicine container 2, or may be provided outside the main body case 1 although not shown.

When the out-of-stock status of tablets at a specific section position is displayed, the necessary amount is put into the replenishing hopper 19 from the tablet container 53 containing the corresponding tablets. In this embodiment, the tablets in the tablet container 53 are filled. reading a bar code symbol 54 type and shortage tablets types is whether matches are displayed on the tablet vessel 53 by the bar code reader 51 (step S _5), the code symbol shortage tablet code symbol and steps S It is done by collating at ₆ .

If the above code symbols match, a predetermined number of tablets are taken out from the tablet container 53 and the replenishment hopper 19 is used.
Move to Then, in step S ₇ , it is checked whether or not the medicine has been put into the hopper 19, and the supply hopper 19 moves. The medicine injection completion check is omitted in the figure,
For example, the switch signal may be manually input.

In step S ₈ , the replenishing hopper 19 moves together with the replenishing unit 4, and the wheel 20 provided in the replenishing unit 4 is moved to the opening / closing lid 7 of the medicine storing section 2 in step S _9.
The position of the opening / closing lever 73 for opening / closing a is matched. Then, when the opening / closing lever 73 is pushed down so as to ride on the opening / closing lever 73, the opening / closing lid is opened. Tablets of the refill hopper 19 to open the bottom plate 19a of the lower bottom of the refill hopper 19 in this state in the hopper motor 34 is dropped to a predetermined compartment to replenish (step S _10).

Next, in step S ₁₁ , the completion of drug supply is checked. Although not shown, this completion check is performed by providing a height detection sensor including a light emitting sensor and a light receiving sensor at a predetermined position above the tablet storage portion of the tablet case 7. When the replenishment is completed, the replenishment hopper 19 is moved to the standby position in step S ₁₂ , and the work is completed. However, the above work is a case where one tablet case 7 is out of stock, and when a plurality of tablet cases 7 are out of stock, the above work is repeated for each tablet case 7.

In the above embodiment, the collation between the tablet container and the missing drug is based on the condition that the symbol of the bar code displayed on the tablet container is read and collated. A pharmacist may read the content displayed on the label and confirm that the tablets in the container match the missing drug.

Further, various data necessary for the above replenishing work are stored in the storage unit, and each stored data is stored and stored as replenishment record data, and may be displayed on a display device or a printer at a later date as needed. Is launched. It is preferable that the replenishment record data is displayed in a list format including a replenishment collation result indicating whether or not the tablets to be replenished in the replenishment work are correctly replenished in the tablet case.

At this time, at least the following items are included in the supply verification result list.

・ Identification code (bar code) symbol of tablet container ・ Identification code symbol of tablet case ・ Match / mismatch determination result in replenishment collation ・ Supply amount, tablet identification code symbol ・ Progress of collation of collation (mismatch of collation result) In the case of, an error signal, a reset signal, the reading of the identification code of the medicine bottle, etc. again, the passage of time).

9 to 14 show a schematic view and a detailed view of the second embodiment of the medicine packaging device. In this embodiment as well, a drug replenishing device is provided as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, however, the drug replenishing unit 4 is used because the rotating drum type drug container 2 is used in the packaging device.
Is different in that it has a lifting type.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the main body case 1
The drug storage unit 2 is provided in the upper half of the inside and the packaging unit 3 is provided in the lower half, and the drug replenishing unit 4 is provided at one or two places of the space formed in the four corners of the drug storage 2 and the main body case 1.
Is provided. The medicine storage unit 2 is of a cylindrical type and has a double drum type of an inner rotor 2b and an outer rotor 2a. The inner and outer rotors 2b and 2a have a larger number of tablet compartments 2c.

Each of the tablet compartments 2c of the inner and outer rotors communicates with a common tablet dispensing passage 2d, and among the tablet compartments that are stacked in multiple stages and are arranged above and below,
The lower support disks 2e, which are held by the outer support disks 2e, 2e and abut the lower ends of the tablet dispensing paths 2d, communicate with the hoppers 2g below the disks via openings 2f corresponding to the respective paths.

The inner and outer rotors 2b and 2a are provided with a motor 21M (outside) and a lower pinion (not shown) below the motors 21M (outside) and 2M '(inside) provided on the crossing central frame of the support frame 1F fixed to the main body case 1. ) Is engaged with the tooth profile formed on the outer peripheries of the inner and outer discs 2e, 2e in the upper portion, so that the inner rotor 2b is about 360 ° and the outer rotor 2a is 300 °.
It can be rotated about a degree. In this way, the inner and outer rotors are of a rotary type because the inner rotor 2b is provided with the tablet compartments 2c over the entire circumference, but the outer rotor 2a is a cylinder as shown in FIG. 11 described later. Shaped tablet compartment 2c
A part of the container is thinned out, and an opening / closing door (not shown) is provided in the main body case at a position corresponding to the surface, and the opening / closing door is opened to handle each of the tablet compartments 2c of the inner and outer rotors. This is so that the tablets can be replenished by work. Each tablet compartment 2c can be pulled out in the radial direction of the inner and outer rotors 2b, 2a, and in the case of manual work, tablets are replenished in a state where a predetermined compartment 2c is pulled out.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the tablet compartment 2c. In this compartment 2c, a lid 22 is provided on the upper part of the case 21, and a front edge plate 22a is provided on the front end of the lid 22. A hopper plate 24 for securing a tablet storage space 23 is provided in the case, and a rotary tablet feed alignment ball 25 having an inclined surface corresponding to the inclination of the hopper is provided. The feed holes 2 are arranged at a constant pitch on the outer circumference of the alignment balls 25.
5a is provided obliquely so that the tablets P can be fed in an ant hell form.

At a predetermined position of the hopper plate 24, a limiting plate 25c for limiting the dispensing of tablets and a small hole 27 corresponding to the limiting plate 25c are provided near the center of rotation, and the feeding hole 25a coincides with the small hole 27. When the alignment balls 25 rotate, only one tablet P
Are discharged into the passage 28, and the tablets P above the limiting plate 25c.
Payout is limited. And the opening 2 at the lower end of the passage 28
The tablet P is dispensed to the dispensing passage 2d through the 8a. 2
Reference numeral 5b is an entire circumferential groove into which the tip of the limiting plate fits.

Reference numeral 26 is a motor for rotating the aligned balls 25, 26a is an output shaft, and the aligned balls 25 are engaged with the output shaft. A detection sensor S for confirming passage of the tablet P is provided in the middle of the passage 28, and S ₁
Is a light emitting element, and S ₂ is a light receiving element. The detection sensor S
When a passing signal is detected each time the tablets P dispensed by the device are detected, the signals are sent to the control unit 18, and the number of stored tablets P stored in each tablet compartment 2c, or whether the number of stored tablets P is equal to or less than a predetermined number, is determined. To be detected.

12 and 13, the medicine replenishing unit 4,
An outline of 4'is shown. As shown in FIG. 12, the rotary medicine replenishing unit 4 is also used for the inner and outer rotors.
Only the base is provided, or this is dedicated to the inner rotor 2b and is independent of the outer rotor 2a.
May be provided exclusively.

As shown in FIG. 13 (a), the dual-purpose medicine replenishing unit 4 is a lift table which is vertically engaged with a lift rod 41 fixed to the main body case or the floor plate above and below the medicine container 2. 42 and an elevating motor 43 for moving it up and down,
A rotating arm 44 that rotatably engages with the tip of the lifting table 42.
And a motor 45 for rotating the same, a supply hopper 46 rotatably attached to the tip of the rotary arm 44, a hopper motor 47 for tilting and driving the same, and a lid for opening and closing the lid of the medicine compartment provided on the upper end of the rotary arm 44. An open plate 48 is provided.

A medicine replenishing unit 4'dedicated to the outer rotor 2a
As shown in FIG. 13 (b), is different from the dual-purpose type in that a rotary arm 44 and a rotary motor 45 are not provided, but otherwise the configuration is exactly the same, and the same members are shown in the figure. Are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

The basic structure of the packaging device 3 below the medicine container 2 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the shape of the hopper 9 below the medicine container 2, the guide 10 and the conveyor 11 are different. Although it is slightly different in that it is not provided, it is the same in other respects, and the same reference numerals are given to the same functional members and the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 14 shows the details of the supply hopper 46 provided on the rotating arm 44. As shown, the hopper motor 47
The medicine stored in the replenishing hopper 46 is tilted about the shaft of the gear 46a that is rotationally driven by the pinion 47a at the output shaft end of the above, and the stored medicine is introduced into the tablet compartment 2c.

In the medicine packing apparatus of the second embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, the tablet compartment 2 of the outer rotors 2b, 2a of the medicine container 2 at any phase position when the medicine is packed.
It is basically the same as the case of the first embodiment in that the necessary tablets are dispensed from c according to the instruction of the drug information based on the prescription and are sequentially packaged in the packaging sheet by the packaging unit 3.

However, since the inner and outer rotors 2b and 2a are separate tablet storage compartments, the storage unit of the arithmetic control unit corresponding to this is a storage obtained by expanding the inner and outer rotors 2b and 2a in a plane. It is different from the case of the first embodiment in that it is separately stored in two memory map areas corresponding to the partitions.

Further, since the medicine storage unit 2 is a drum type, the inner and outer rotors 2b and 2a are respectively supplied to the designated tablet compartments 2c in the same manner as the case where the medicine is manually supplied. A command from the controller 8 is issued to rotate and stop the unit 4 or 4'as necessary so as to come to the position.

In the above automatic supply of the medicine, the inner and outer rotors 2
When only the dual-purpose drug supply unit 4 is installed for b and 2a, as shown in FIG. 12, the outer rotor 2a is fan-shaped to partially supply tablets to the tablet compartment 2c of the inner rotor 2b. Replenishment is performed in a state where the outer rotor 2a is rotated so that the portion where the tablet compartment is omitted is located at a position corresponding to the tip of the medicine replenishing unit 4. Outer rotor 2
For the tablet compartment 2c of a, the outer rotor 2a rotates regardless of the inner rotor 2b to replenish the predetermined tablet compartment 2c.

When the inner and outer rotors 2b, 2a are provided with replenishing units 4, 4'for replenishing the medicines independently,
When the medicine is replenished to the tablet compartment 2c of the outer rotor 2a, the rotating arm 44 of the unit 4 for the inner rotor 2a is swung outward as indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 12 to prevent the outer rotor 2a from rotating. To do so.

When the medicine is replenished by the replenishing units 4 and 4 ', when the row of the tablet compartments 2c vertically arranged in multiple stages rotates in front of the replenishing unit 4 or 4', the lifting table 4 is moved.
2 is moved up and down to a predetermined height position by the drive of the motor 43, and in this embodiment, the movement of the lid opening plate 48 at the tip of the elevating table 42 or the rotating arm 44 is used to raise each tablet compartment 2c. The lid 22 is opened, and in that state, the supply hopper 46 is tilted to supply the tablets.

It should be noted that, except when the replenishing unit is moved up and down in order to replenish tablets to the specific tablet compartment 2c, the lifting table 42 or the rotary arm 44 of the replenishing units 4, 4'has a lid opening plate 48 at its tip. Lid front edge 22a of each tablet compartment 2c
The rotation motor 45 or 45 'is rotated slightly outward so that it is located outside the outer radius of the front edge 22a of the lid so as not to be caught in. Therefore, even when the tablets are replenished, the rotation phase position is maintained as it is, and when the tablets reach the designated depth range of the tablet compartment 2c, the elevators are swung to the rotor side.

Also in this embodiment, the replenishing hopper 46 is used.
It is premised that the tablets are replenished in advance, but at that time, as shown in FIG. 9, the barcode 54 displayed on the tablet storage container 53 is read by the barcode reader 51, and the code data and It is assumed that the medicines designated by the medicine prescription are matched and displayed on the display device, and if the matching is confirmed, the necessary amount is supplied to the supply hopper 46. Needless to say, the collation confirmation work may be performed by the pharmacist's visual confirmation instead of the barcode display.

FIG. 15 and subsequent figures show a schematic view and a detailed view of the medicine packaging device of the third embodiment. In the medicine packing apparatus of this embodiment, a plurality of rows (four rows in the illustrated example) of drawer shelves A, B, C, and D are provided with two upper and lower tablet compartments that are drawn out in a direction perpendicular to the drawing direction of the drawers. A plurality of tablet storage units 2 provided in a row, a packaging unit 3 similar to those in the first and second embodiments below the storage units 2, and a drawer common to the tablet compartments on the surfaces of the drawer shelves facing each other or at both ends. The tablet compartments on the outer surface of the shelf are provided with drug supply units 4 and 4 ″, which are movably provided along the drawing direction of the drawing shelf.

In each of the drawer shelves A to D of the medicine storage unit 2,
As shown in FIG. 15, the tablet compartment 2c is provided on both front and back sides.
The two tablet compartments 2c are provided back to back so as to pull out each other. As the structure of each tablet compartment 2c, for example, the structure shown in FIG. 11 of the second embodiment can be used as it is. However, it goes without saying that another structure may be used as long as it has a payout function similar to this.

When the tablets p are dispensed from the dispensing passage 2d (see FIG. 16) provided between the backs of the tablet compartments 2c, they are collected in one place via the common hopper 9 and fall into the packaging unit 3. Although the hopper 9 is different in shape from the packaging unit 3, it is basically similar to the cases of the first and second embodiments.

The drug replenishing unit 4 or 4 ″ is shown in FIG.
The arrangement is shown in FIG. 6, and the detailed structure is shown in FIGS. In the medicine replenishing units 4, 4 ″, the upper and lower ends of the elevating rod 41 for elevating the elevating table 42 are the slide table 4.
0, and the wheel 40a of the slide base 40 is guided along guide rails 40b fixed between the end plates of the drawer shelves so as to be movable along each surface of the drawer.

A lift motor 43, a replenishment hopper 46, a hopper motor 47, and a lid opening plate 48 are mounted on the lift table 42 as shown in FIG.
It is provided in the same manner as (b). In the case shown on the right side of FIG. 17, the replenishment hopper 46 is the drug compartment 2 of the drawer shelves on both sides.
Although it has a shape in which symmetrical hoppers 46 are formed on both sides for common use with c and 2c, the replenishing unit 4 ″ for replenishing only one side may have only one side hopper.

FIG. 18 shows a plan view of the supply unit 4 on the left side of FIG. As shown in the drawing, the front end edges 22a of the respective drug compartments 2c are provided diagonally to each other, and the lid opening plate 48 does not contact the front end edge 22a at the intermediate position of the drawing, and the lift table 42 moves up and down. You can do it. Therefore,
When the lift table 42 moves by moving the slide table 40 and the lid opening plate 48 comes to the position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line, the lid opening plate 48 contacts the front end edge 22a and the lid 22 is opened.

The lid opening plate 48 is a projecting plate having a narrow width, and the front edge 22a of the medicine compartment 2c corresponding thereto has the same width, and when the lid is opened, the replenishing unit 4,
Since 4 ″ is accurately aligned with the front of each drug compartment 2c and stopped, the lid 22 is opened when the replenishment units 4, 4 ″ are raised at that position only when the lid is opened. Therefore, in the middle of approaching the specific drug compartment 2c by ascending and descending from another position to open the specific drug compartment 2c, the supply unit 4, at a position slightly avoiding the position of the front end edge 22a of the lid 22, Move 4 '' up and down.

As shown in FIG. 15, each of the drawer shelves A, B, C and D of the third embodiment is provided with an indicator lamp 2 _{L, and} each medicine compartment provided in each drawer shelf. A small indicator lamp 2 _K is also installed on the lower front of the. When tablets need to be replenished, specific drawer shelves and drug compartments among them are turned on by a command from a computer so that they can be immediately visually recognized from the outside.

[0074]

As described above in detail, the medicine replenishing method of the first invention uses the movement of the replenishing hopper which moves relative to the medicine storing section to open the lid of the medicine storing section to remove the medicine from the replenishing hopper. Since the drug is replenished, there is an advantage that it can automatically and accurately replenish the drug to the drug compartment in a difficult-to-reach position regardless of the shape of the drug container. To be

In the medicine replenishing method of the second invention, the identification display of the medicine replenishing container is collated with the instruction requiring replenishment to judge the identity and the medicine is fed into the replenishing hopper. The accuracy of the medicine replenishment work is increased, and reliable medicine replenishment can be performed.

In the medicine packing apparatus of the third invention, the medicine replenishing unit is provided in the packing apparatus consisting of the medicine storing section and the packaging unit so that the lid of each storage compartment of the medicine storing section is opened by the relative movement of the replenishing unit. Since it is configured, it is possible to obtain the advantage that the medicine supply method according to the first aspect of the present invention can be reliably performed by providing the medicine supply unit having a simple structure at an economical cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic perspective view of a medicine packaging device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of the above.

FIG. 3 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the above.

FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional view of a drug supply unit.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the medicine supply unit.

FIG. 6A is a detailed side view of the lid opening / closing mechanism at the upper end of the tablet case. FIG. 6B is a plan view of the same.

FIG. 7 is an overall schematic block diagram of a control device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a supply method.

FIG. 9 is an overall schematic perspective view of a medicine packaging device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of the above.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view (a) and a plan view (b) of the tablet compartment.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the arrangement of tablet supply units.

FIG. 13 is a detailed view of a tablet replenishing unit for inner and outer rotors.

FIG. 14A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the replenishing hopper, and FIG. 14B is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the same.

FIG. 15 is an overall schematic perspective view of a medicine packaging device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional side view of the above.

FIG. 17 is a detailed side view of the medicine supply unit.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the above left unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 main body case 2 drug storage unit 3 packaging unit 4, 4 ', 4' ', 4' '' drug supply unit 5 partition plate 6 partition section 7 tablet case 8 control device 9 hopper 10 guide 11 conveyor 12 guide arm 13 supply Roller 14 Printer 15 Heat seal 16 Slide base 17 Coupling arm 18 Slide base 19 Replenishing hopper 20 Wheel 21 Case 22 Lid 23 Tablet storage space 24 Hopper plate 25 Aligning ball 30 Arithmetic control unit 31 Display device 32, 33 Motor 34 Hopper motor 35 Packaging device 36 payout mechanism

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A replenishment hopper for replenishing a medicine is moved relative to a medicine container of a medicine packaging device, and a lid of each accommodation compartment is used at a predetermined compartment position of the medicine container by using the relative movement. The method of replenishing a medicine, which comprises operating the replenishment hopper in a state of being opened to replenish the medicine in the replenishment hopper to the storage compartment. 2. When replenishing a predetermined medicine to the replenishment hopper in advance, the identification display displayed on the medicine replenishing container containing the necessary medicine is checked to be the same as the instruction of the medicine requiring replenishment. The drug replenishment method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of determining the sex and feeding the drug into the replenishment hopper from the replenishment container. 3. A drug storage unit for storing various drugs in a plurality of storage compartments, and a packaging unit for guiding the drug dispensed by a dispensing mechanism provided in the storage unit to a predetermined position to package the drug. A medicine replenishing unit having a replenishment hopper that moves relative to the storage section to replenish a required medicine, and a lid is provided in each storage compartment of the medicine, and the lid is moved relative to the replenishment unit. The medicine packaging device is configured to be opened by using the container to replenish the medicine from the supply hopper.