KR20150044127A - Dispensing box for ampoule-shaped drug - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to DISPENSING BOX FOR AMPOULE-SHAPED DRUG, dispensing box for ampoule-shaped drug according to the present invention form pharmaceutically dispensing box partition member having a division walls for partitioning the plurality of unit cells that are stored in ampoules; A shutter for opening and closing the bottom of the unit cell which is partitioned by the partition member; The discharge section for discharging through an outlet from the ampoule fall the partition member; And a; and the receiving state display unit for displaying whether or not the ampoules are accommodated state within each unit cell. In accordance with the present invention has the effect that, by displaying to the user the user to easily separate the unit cells to supplement the ampoule, through the reflection-type or transmission-type lighting, and can be for the user to recognize whether or not the ampoules contained state in each unit cell, by way of a detection to detect whether the ampoule is accommodated in each of the unit cell..

Description

Dispensing box for ampoule-shaped drug

The present invention relates to an ampoule drug dispensing box, and more particularly, to an apparatus for storing and releasing an ampoule drug.

In general, a single-dose medication according to a patient's prescription may include various kinds and forms of medicines, and a medication for a single dose will be delivered to the patient in a basket.

A variety of medicines to be contained in one basket are collected from a box containing each medicament into one basket according to the type and number of the medicines described in the patient's prescription and the basket in which the medicines are collected is delivered to the patient, You will take the medicines collected in the basket.

On the other hand, in order to collect various medicines in one basket, in the past, medicines experts such as pharmacists needed a process of manually selecting medicines according to the patient's prescription, and accordingly, a confirmation operation to judge the accuracy of the medicament collection It was necessary. This makes it difficult to ensure the correctness of the medication and always implies the possibility of causing an attrition. In addition, not only the possibility of weakness but also the complexity of the collection process itself, it takes a long time to collect the medicine according to the prescription of the patient, which also causes a problem of lowering the working efficiency. For this reason, it is necessary to study methods and techniques for improving the accuracy and efficiency in collecting medicines for one dose according to the patient's prescription, thereby providing convenience to users such as pharmacists and preventing weakening accidents in advance Do.

The present invention provides an automatic dispensing apparatus for an ampule-type medicine, which dispenser can easily replenish a medicine by making it possible to easily distinguish an area where the ampule is accommodated from an unused area when the ampule is replenished.

In addition, the present invention provides a dispensing apparatus that not only displays unit cells to be supplemented with an ampule at the time of replenishing an ampule but also displays unit cells that are not replenished with an ampule in real time.

The ampule-type medicine dispenser box according to the present invention comprises: a partitioning member having a partitioning wall partitioning a plurality of unit cells storing an ampule; A shutter for opening and closing a lower portion of each unit cell defined by the partition member; A discharge portion for discharging the ampoule dropped from the partition member through an outlet; And an acceptance status display unit for assisting the user in recognizing whether or not the ampule is accommodated in each of the unit cells.

In addition, an ampoule charging gate may be formed on one side of the housing to open and close the unit cells so that the ampoule can be inserted into the unit cells.

Further, the reception state display unit may include an illumination unit that emits light reflected through the ampoule accommodated in the unit cell or transmitted through the ampoule accommodated in the unit cell so as to be observable from outside through the ampoule input gate.

Furthermore, the illumination unit may include a first light emitting device that is provided on the inner side of the unit cell or on the side into which the ampule of each unit cell is inserted, and emits light so as to be reflected by the ampule housed inside the unit cell.

The illumination unit may include a second light emitting device that is provided on the other side of the unit cell on which the ampule is inserted and emits light so as to transmit the ampule contained in the unit cell.

Further, the illumination unit can emit light only when the ampule injection gate is opened.

The receiving state display unit may further include a fourth sensing unit for sensing whether or not the ampule is contained in each of the unit cells; And a plurality of display elements provided corresponding to each of the unit cells and being turned on and off according to the acceptance of the ampules of the corresponding unit cells according to the detection result of the fourth sensing unit.

Furthermore, the plurality of display elements may be provided so as to be observable from the outside through the ampule injection gate.

Furthermore, the ampoule input gate may be formed of a light transmitting material.

Further, the display elements may function as illumination of a unit cell including the display elements.

Further, the shutter may be provided with a gate passing through the upper and lower portions to allow the ampoule to pass therethrough and an ampoule supporting portion for partitioning between the adjacent gates.

Further, the shutter may operate in an open state in which the partition wall and the ampoule supporting portion are vertically aligned and in a closed state in which the partition wall and the ampoule supporting portion are aligned so as to be staggered in the vertical direction.

And a storage unit having a multi-layered structure in which at least two of the partition members are stacked in a vertical direction, and the shutters may be respectively provided at the lower ends of the plurality of partition members.

In addition, the discharging unit may include a conveyor for receiving the falling ampoule when the lower end of each unit cell is opened, and for conveying the deposited ampoule to the outlet.

According to the present invention, the user can recognize whether or not the ampule is accommodated in each unit cell through the reflection type or the transmissive type illumination, and it is possible to detect whether or not the ampule is accommodated in each unit cell through the sensing unit, So that the user can easily distinguish the unit cell to be supplemented with the ampule by displaying it to the user.

In addition, according to the present invention, when a semi-magnified or transmissive illumination is used, or when some sensors are used, the unit cells that are not replenished with an ampule in real time are displayed by the user, thereby making it possible to supplement the ampoule more easily.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an ampule-type medicine dispensing box according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an ampule-shaped medicine dispensing box having a side opened according to an embodiment.
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are perspective views illustrating the operation of the locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an ampule-shaped drug dispensing box according to an embodiment. FIG.
6 is a perspective view showing a driving unit according to an embodiment.
7 is an exploded perspective view showing a state of a partition member according to an embodiment.
8 is a perspective view showing a shutter according to an embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which a partition member and a shutter are coupled according to an embodiment. FIG.
10 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a state of a sensing unit and a sensing unit according to an embodiment.
11 is a perspective view showing a conveyor according to an embodiment.
FIGS. 12 to 13 are partial cutaway perspective views showing the state in which each unit cell is opened or closed.
14 is a longitudinal sectional view of Fig.
15 is a block diagram showing an overall appearance of an ampule-type medicine dispensing box according to an embodiment.
Figs. 16 to 21 are partial cutaway perspective views sequentially showing states in which the ampule-form drug is dispensed.
22 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an ampule-shaped medicine dispenser box having a receptacle-state indicating portion according to another embodiment.
23 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an ampule-type medicine dispenser box having a receptacle-state display unit according to still another embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart sequentially showing the operation sequence of the ampule-form drug dispensing box. FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the absence of special definitions or references, the terms used in this description are based on the conditions indicated in the drawings. The same reference numerals denote the same members throughout the embodiments. For the sake of convenience, the thicknesses and dimensions of the structures shown in the drawings may be exaggerated, and they do not mean that the dimensions and the proportions of the structures should be actually set.

The ampule-type medicine dispenser box according to the present invention is an apparatus for dispensing an ampule-shaped medicine (hereinafter referred to as "?") Formed of a material such as glass such as an ampoule or a vial . The ampule-type medicine dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a storage unit, a shutter, a driving unit, a discharge unit, and an outlet. The storage unit is a multi-layered multi-row partitioning unit for storing a plurality of amples, and the shutter is a component for operating each storage compartment to be opened and closed in a vertical direction, and the driving unit is a component for operating the shutter. The discharging portion is a constituent portion such as a conveyor in the present embodiment, which is provided at the lower end of the storing portion to receive the falling ampoule, and to transfer the placed constituent portions. Hereinafter, the conveyor will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The housing and the lock-related components will be described with reference to Figs. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ampule-type medicine dispensing box according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an ampule-shaped medicine dispensing box having a side opened according to an embodiment. 3 and 4 are perspective views illustrating the operation of the locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The ampule-type medicine dispensing box 1 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 10 constituting an outer shape. The housing 10 in this embodiment is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The housing 10 includes a housing body 110, a front portion 120, and an ampoule input gate 130. The front portion 120 provided on the front of the housing 10 is provided with a discharge port 121 through which the ampoule is discharged and a drive gear 140 for transmitting power transmitted from the outside to a conveyor Respectively. On the other hand, it is preferable that the discharge port 121 is formed in a downward inclined shape. This shape minimizes the impact due to the step of the discharge port 121 and prevents damage to the ampoule or vial made of glass from the inside.

On one side of the housing 10, an ampoule input gate 130 for supplying an ampoule is provided. The ampoule input gate 130 in this embodiment is provided so that one side thereof is opened in a state of being fixed by a hinge or the like. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 2, a hook part 132 formed in a hook shape is formed inside the ampule input gate 130. The hook portion 132 is a constituent portion corresponding to the engaging portion 633 provided inside the housing 10. The engaging portion 633 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. A plurality of ampoules (2) are housed inside the housing (10). On the other hand, as described above, all the medicines formed in the interior of the housing 10 similar to the shape of the ampoule can be accommodated in glass or substitutable materials such as vials as well as ampoules in the dictionary meaning.

As shown in FIG. 3, a locking device 60 corresponding to the above-described hook 132 is provided inside the housing. Locking device 60 is a component that allows locking or unlocking of latching portion 132 to lock or unlock ampoule loading gate 130.

Specifically, the locking device 60 includes a lock portion 61, a first turning portion 62, and a second turning portion 63. [ The locking portion 61 is provided inside the rear surface of the housing. The locking portion 61 is provided so as to be rotatable by using an effective key or the like. The outer circumferential surface of the lock portion 61 is provided so as to have a longer radius and a shorter radius in a radial direction with respect to the rotation axis.

The first turning portion 62 is provided inside the rear surface of the housing. The first rotary part 62 is fixed so that the first end 621 and the second end 623 are rotatable about a first rotation axis 622 within a certain range. The first end 621 of the first turning part 62 is provided so as to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the locking part 61. In the locked state, the first end portion 621 of the first turning portion 62 is provided so as to be in contact with the shortened-diameter portion of the locking portion 61 as shown in Fig.

The first end 631 of the second turning part 63 is provided on the upper side of the second end 623 of the first turning part 62, Respectively. The first end 631 and the second end 633 of the second rotary part 63 are also provided so as to be rotatable about the second rotary shaft 632. In the locked state, the hook portion 132 is caught by the second end portion 633 of the second rotary portion 63 in a state in which the above-described ampule injection gate 130 is closed. Hereinafter, the first turning portion 62 and the second turning portion 63 will be collectively referred to as a turning force transmitting portion and the second end 633 of the second turning portion 63 will be defined as a latching portion in particular.

4, a description will be made of an operating method in the open state. As the lock portion 61 rotates, the long diameter portion of the lock portion 61 comes into contact with the first end portion 621 of the first rotation portion 62, The first end portion 621 is pushed to one side. When the first end portion 621 of the first turning portion 62 is pushed by the longer diameter portion of the lock portion 61 and is turned counterclockwise around the first rotating shaft 622, the first turning portion 62 In the same direction, that is, in the counterclockwise direction. When the first end portion 631 of the second rotary portion 63 is lifted up by the second end portion 623 of the first rotary portion 62, the engagement portion 633 rotates the second rotary shaft 632 And rotates clockwise about the center. In this case, the latching portion 633 rotates and is lowered to be released so that the above-described latching portion 132 can be opened from the locked state.

The driving unit will be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an ampule-type medicine dispensing box according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a driving unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The driving unit 20 is a component for driving a shutter to be described later. The driving unit 20 is provided adjacent to one end of the storage unit 30 as shown in FIG. 6, the cam portion 230 includes a camshaft 231, a first cam 232, a second cam 233, and a third cam 234. The first cam 232, the second cam 233 and the third cam 234 are provided so as to have a long radius and a short radius around the camshaft 231 and rotate together about the camshaft 231. The motor 210 generates electric power using the electric power, and the gears 220 transmit the rotational force generated from the motor 210 to the above-described cam portion 230. The outer circumferential surfaces of the first cam 232, the second cam 233, and the third cam 234 are provided so as to be in contact with one end of each of the shutters described later. The cams 232, 233, and 234 sequentially operate to sequentially push the shutters from the lowermost layer to the uppermost layer upon rotation.

The storage unit, the shutter, and related components will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 10. Fig. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a state of a partition member according to an embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a shutter according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the partition member and the shutter are coupled to each other according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a partial cutaway perspective view showing a state of the opening and closing detection unit and the to-be-

The storage unit 30 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of partition members 31. [ A plurality of partition members 31 are provided to form a plurality of layers, and each of the partition members 31a, 31b, and 31c divides a plurality of space portions 313 so that the ampoules can be stored. A member between the space portions 313 for partitioning the respective space portions 313 at this time is referred to as a partitioning wall 311. Further, a partition member supporting portion 314 protruding at the lower end and connecting the partitioning members 311 is formed at a lower end of one side of the partitioning walls 311. The other side surface of the partitioning wall 311 is provided with a partitioning member side wall 312 connecting the partitioning wall 311. The partition member side wall 312 has a constant thickness and is formed in a shape projecting laterally from the partition member 31. [

At one end of the partition member 31, a receiving groove 315 is formed. The receiving groove 315 is formed so that one end of an elastic member to be described later can be received and / or fixed.

Meanwhile, when the partitioning members 31a, 31b, and 31c are stacked, a space is formed between the partitioning members 31a, 31b, and 31c by the partitioning member support 314. A space defined by the partition member support portion 314 and each of the partition members 31a, 31b, and 31c is formed, and a shutter to be described later is inserted through the space portion. Hereinafter, such a space portion will be referred to as a shutter receiving portion.

The shutter 40 is formed in the shape of a plate having a plurality of vertically extending through holes as shown in FIG. The shutter 40 is formed with gates 43 penetrating through the plurality of ampules along the longitudinal direction. The short sides of the gates 43 are preferably formed to have a width larger than the width of the ampoule and smaller than or equal to the width of the space 313 of the partition member. At this time, the member for partitioning the gates 43 is referred to as an ampule supporting portion 41. The ampule supporting portion 41 connects the side members of the shutter 40, and defines a gate 43. At one end of the shutter 40, a protrusion 43 is formed. A receiving groove 431 is formed in the protruding portion 43 to receive and / or fix an elastic member to be described later. The other side surface of the projecting portion 43 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cams 232, 233, and 234 of the cam portion 230 described above. That is, when the cams 232, 233, and 234 are rotated, the protruding portion 43 is pushed by the long-diameter portion of the cams 232, 233, and 234 so that the entire shutter 40 is pushed and moved.

On the other hand, the to-be-sensed portion 44 is formed at one end of the shutter 40. The object to be detected 44 is formed to protrude by a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the shutter. The subject detection unit 44 is a component for determining whether the shutter 40 has moved or the current position of the shutter 40 by being detected by an opening / closing detection unit, which will be described later.

Referring to Fig. 9, a plurality of partition members 31 are stacked. The shutters 40a, 40b, and 40c are inserted between the space between the partitioning members 31a, 31b, and 31c and the shutter receiving unit defined by the partitioning member supports 314, respectively. At this time, the ampule supporting portion 41 of the shutter 40 adjacent to the adjacent partitioning walls 311 of the partitioning member 31 forms a certain space portion where a single ampule can be stored. Hereinafter, such a space portion is referred to as a unit cell.

It is preferable that the length of the short side of the unit cell is formed to correspond to the length of the short side of the shutter 40 described above.

Whether or not the ampule is positioned in the unit cell is not shown in the figure, but can be detected using various sensors. Further, due to the malfunction of the shutter, the ampule may not be discharged into the unit cell. That is, it is determined whether or not the ampoule needs to be supplemented to the storage unit 30, or whether the ampoule is located in the unit cell in order to determine whether the ampoule is stagnated due to a malfunction. And the like. For example, whether or not an ampule is stored in a unit cell can be confirmed by using a proximity sensor, an infrared sensor, a pressure sensor, or the like.

In addition to the method using these sensors, it is also possible to provide at least one or more lights illuminating the storage unit 30 to check whether the ampule is located in the unit cell, or to display a part of the housing in each unit cell Or it may be formed of a light transmitting material.

On the other hand, even when a part of the housing is opened or a light-transmitting material is not used, the illumination for illuminating the storage unit 30 is also useful for opening the ampoule input gate 130 (see FIG. 2) .

On the other hand, a side wall insertion groove 113 is formed on one inner side surface of the housing as shown in FIG. The partition wall side wall 312 (see FIG. 7) described above is inserted and fixed to the side wall insertion groove 113. The side wall insertion groove 113 may be formed as a groove having a predetermined depth on the inner side surface of the housing but the side wall insertion groove 113 having a predetermined depth may be formed inside the step portion 112 by forming the step portion 112 around the groove. ) Is preferably formed. Further, guide grooves 114 may be formed between the side wall insertion grooves 113 along the longitudinal direction. The guide groove 114 guides the shutter 40 in the longitudinal direction while accommodating the side surface of the shutter 40.

On the other hand, the opening / closing detector 60 is provided on the inner surface of the housing. The open / close detecting unit 60 detects whether the detected portion 44 of the shutter 40 is moved. The open / close sensing units 60 according to the present embodiment are provided in pairs. The first opening and closing detection unit 61 senses the part to be sensed 44 when the shutter 40 is moved toward the opening and closing sensing unit 60 and the second opening and closing sensing unit 62 senses the sensing unit 44 when the shutter 40 Even when the shutter 40 is located on the side of the opening / closing detection unit 60 or moves in the opposite direction, it can be used to check whether or not the shutter 40 is properly provided by detecting the detected portion 44. [ On the other hand, an infrared sensor or the like can be used as the opening / closing detector 60.

The conveyor will be described with reference to Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a conveyor according to an embodiment.

The conveyor 50 is a constituent part in which the falling ampoule is seated and the loaded ampoule is conveyed to be discharged to the outside of the apparatus. The conveyor 50 includes a conveyor belt 52, an orbital shaft 512 and at least one transmission gear 511. The conveyor belt 52 again includes a belt body 521 and a belt bulkhead 522. The belt body 521 rotates on an endless track via the outer peripheral surface of the raceway shaft 512. [ The belt bulkhead 522 is provided on the belt main body 521 to define and form a space portion into which the ampoule can be seated, respectively. It is preferable that the interval between the belt partition walls 522 is formed to be equal to the interval between the divisional partition 311 (see FIG. 7) of the partition member and the interval between the ampoule support portions 41 (see FIG. 8) of the shutter.

The orbital shafts 512 are provided in pairs and are responsible for two rotational axes on the endless track of the conveyor 50. The transmission gear 511 receives the rotational force from the driving gear 140 provided on the front surface of the housing and transmits the rotational force to any one of the orbital shafts 512.

The operation method and structure in which each unit cell of the storage unit is opened or closed will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14. FIG. FIGS. 12 to 13 are partially cutaway perspective views showing a state in which each unit cell is opened or closed, and FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG.

12, when the ampoule support portions 41a, 41b, and 41c of the shutters 40 intercept the upper and lower unit cells in a state in which the cam portion 230 does not rotate, . This state is defined as a state in which each unit cell or each layer is closed or closed.

13 and 14, the shutter 40b of the second layer is pushed by the cam 233 from below, and the ampule supporting portions 41b of the shutter 40b of the second layer are in contact with each other And between the partition walls 311b and 311c of the second and third layers. The second layer at this time is defined as open or open. The first and third layers are still closed.

14, an elastic member 45 is provided between the projection 43 of the shutter 40 and one end of the partitioning member 31 adjacent thereto. Both ends of the elastic member 45 are accommodated and / or fixed in the receiving groove 431 of the protruding portion 43 and the receiving groove 315 of the partition member 31. The shutter 40 can be returned to the initial position by the elastic force of the elastic member 45 while being pushed to one side by the cam. In other words, the elastic member 45 provides a restoring force for restoring the position of the shutter 40.

Referring to FIG. 15, an overall ampoule drug dispenser box including electrical components will be described. 15 is a block diagram showing an overall appearance of an ampule-type medicine dispensing box according to an embodiment.

In this embodiment, the conveyor 50 further includes a control unit for controlling supplementation of various sensing units and ampoules for determining whether the ampoule additionally needs to be supplemented.

The first sensing unit 610 directly senses whether or not an ampule remains on the conveyor 50 using an infrared sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like. At this time, it is preferable that the first sensing unit 610 detects the ampoule at the outermost position of the conveyor 50 in the dispensing direction. It can be determined that there is no more ampoule on the conveyor 50 when the ampoule does not exist at the most terminal position in the dispensing direction. The first sensing unit 610 transmits a signal indicating that no ampoule exists to the controller 70 when the ampoule is no longer sensed.

The second sensing unit 620 directly senses the ampoule dispensed through the outlet 121 described above. The second sensing unit 620 senses the discharged ampoule and transmits a signal indicating that the ampoule is discharged to the controller 70 every time the ampoule is discharged.

The third sensing unit 630 senses the number of revolutions of the power transmitting unit 511, that is, the gears for transmitting power or the trajectory axis. In order to dispense one ampule, the gear or track axis must be rotated by a certain number of revolutions. The number of revolutions required to dispense one ampule is defined as one step. The third sensing unit 630 senses the number of steps and transmits the sensing result to the control unit 70.

It is also possible that the first to third sensing units 610, 620, and 630 are selectively provided to determine whether the ampere replenishment on the conveyor 50 is required, and that two or more sensing units are provided for accuracy .

The control unit 70 includes a replenishment determination unit 710 and an amp replenishment control unit 720. The supplement determination unit 710 may determine that supplementation of the ampule is necessary when the first sensing unit 610 receives a signal indicating that no ampule is present on the conveyor 50. [ In addition, the supplement determination unit 710 receives the signal from the second sensing unit 620 and calculates the total number of discharged ampoules. When the total number of discharged ampoules reaches the total number of supplemented ampoules, It can be judged that supplementation is necessary. Also, the supplement determination unit 710 may calculate the number of dispensed ampoules each time the step is performed or the number of steps is received from the third sensing unit 630, from which it may be determined whether the ampoule should be supplemented.

The ampule supplement control means 720 controls the drive unit 20 to drop the ampoule from the storage unit 30 onto the conveyor 50 when it is determined by the ampule supplement determination means 710 that no ampoule exists on the conveyor, . Hereinafter, a control method of the ampule-type drug dispenser box will be described in detail with the ample replenishment control means 720 as a center.

A control method of the ampule-form drug dispenser box will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 21. FIG. Figs. 16 to 21 are partial cutaway perspective views sequentially showing states in which the ampule-form drug is dispensed.

16 shows an initial view in which the ampoules 2 are housed. As shown in FIG. 16, the ampoules 2 may also be initially placed on the conveyor 50 as well. As described above, the conveyor 50 operates using external power. When the driving force is transmitted to the conveyor 50 and starts to be dispensed, it begins to be discharged from the ampule at the farthest end in the dispensing direction as shown in Fig. After all of the ampoules on the conveyor 50 have been discharged, the control unit determines that the ampoule needs to be replenished as described above and starts controlling the ampoule replenishment.

When the ampoule replenishment is started, the control unit controls the driving unit 230 to control the first layer of the storage unit 30 to be opened. 19, when the third cam 234 rotates in one direction D1 and the third shutter 43c is pushed in the dispensing direction D2, the first layer 30c of the storage section 30 ) Is opened. When the first layer 30c of the storage unit 30 is opened, the amples stored in the first layer 30c drop onto the conveyor 50, completing replenishment of the ampoule. When the ampoule replenishment is completed, initialize the number of steps summed or the number of ampoules discharged to compensate for the ampoule.

Thereafter, the control unit can set the storage unit 30 to the supplementary waiting state. The supplementary standby state means that the ampules in each layer are sequentially filled from the lowest layer so that the ampoule can be replenished onto the conveyor 50 again. The control unit further rotates the cam unit 230 in the one direction D1 to control the second layer 43b of the storage unit 30 to be pushed and opened in the dispensing direction D2 as shown in Fig. When the second layer 43b is opened, the amples stored in the second layer 43b drop. The control unit further rotates the cam unit 230 in the one direction D1 to control the third layer 43a of the storage unit 30 to be pushed and opened in the dispensing direction D2 . When the third layer 43a is opened, the amples stored in the third layer 43a fall down.

On the other hand, the ampoules contained in the first layer should drop only when no ampoule is present on the conveyor. On the other hand, ampules of the second layer or higher can fall at various timings. It is also possible to open the first layer, the second layer and the third layer sequentially by rotating the cam at a constant speed irrespective of whether the conveyor is operated or not. When the ampoule does not exist on the conveyor, It is also possible to control so that they fall sequentially.

As described above, various methods or devices can be used to determine whether an ampule exists in a unit cell (Cell). An acceptance status display unit that displays whether or not an ampule is present in each unit cell may be implemented using illumination or various sensors. The acceptance status display unit serves to help the user recognize the unit cells already supplemented and the unit cells to be supplemented in real time in the course of supplementing the ampules to the unit cells.

21 to 23, a description will be made of a specific example of the acceptance status display units that help the user determine whether or not an ampule exists in the unit cell. FIG. 22 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an ampule-type medicine dispensing box having a receptacle-state indicating portion according to another embodiment, and FIG. 23 is a partial cutaway perspective view showing an ampule-shaped medicine dispensing box having a receptacle- It is a perspective view.

The acceptance status display unit may include a lighting unit to help the user recognize the presence or absence of the ampoule.

For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the accommodated state display unit may include an illumination unit 3121 for each unit cell on the side wall 312 to illuminate the inside of the unit cell. The light emitted from the illumination unit 3121 passes through the inside of the unit cell (Cell), and then flows out to the outside. At this time, if the ampule is not accommodated in the unit cell, the light emitted from the illumination unit 3121 flows out to the outside. When the ampule is accommodated in the unit cell, a part of the light is absorbed into the ampule The amount of light recognized from the outside is reduced as compared with the case where the ampoule is not accommodated.

That is, as shown in FIG. 21, when the unit cells of the uppermost layer are empty and the ampoule needs to be supplemented, the user replenishes the unit cells one by one. At this time, when the illumination unit 3121 is in the ON state, it can be easily determined whether or not the ampule is accommodated in the specific unit cell. In addition, while the user replenishes a plurality of ampoules, there is an effect that the unit cell in which the ampoule has already been supplemented and the unit cell in which the ampoule is to be supplemented can be recognized in real time.

The illumination unit may be provided as a reflective illumination unit, unlike the transmissive illumination unit of FIG. For example, the reflection type illumination unit 3127 may be provided inside the unit cell or at the entrance of the ampule injection gate 130 as shown in FIG.

A part of the light emitted from the illumination unit 3127 can be reflected to the ampule 2 and transmitted to the user. That is, the user can directly observe whether or not the ampule in the unit cell exists by using the light of the illumination unit 3127.

These illumination portions can be provided in various positions. Irrespective of the type of illumination unit such as a transmission type or a reflection type, it may be provided at various positions such as the arbitrary position of the inside of the side wall 312 and the unit cell.

On the other hand, the accommodation status display unit can be realized by a sensor instead of a simple illumination.

For example, an infrared sensor including a light emitting portion 3123 and a light receiving portion 3125 may be used as shown in FIG. The light emitting portion 3123 is provided in the side wall 312 and the light receiving portion 3125 may be accommodated in a corresponding one of the sensor receiving portions 135 formed in the ampule input gate 130. The light receiving portion 3125 emits infrared light and the like so that the light receiving portion 3125 receives infrared rays or the like emitted from the light emitting portion 3123 and thereby transmits an infrared ray or the like between the light emitting portion 3123 and the light receiving portion 3125 Can be detected.

That is, when the ampule 2 is accommodated inside the unit cell, the amount of light received by the light-receiving portion 3125 is changed when the light-receiving portion 3125 is located between the light-emitting portion 3123 and the light-receiving portion 3125, So that the amount of current generated in the semiconductor device is changed. It is possible to determine whether or not the ampule 2 is positioned between the light emitting portion 3123 and the light receiving portion 3125 through the amount of change of the current.

After detecting the acceptance of the ampule 2 by the specific light-receiving unit 3125, the result can be displayed on the specific display element 3129 corresponding to the specific light-receiving unit 3125. The display elements 3129 are formed at positions corresponding to the unit cells, respectively, and indicate whether or not the ampules are accommodated in the corresponding unit cell (Cell) according to the predetermined on / off state.

In addition to the infrared sensor, it is possible to confirm whether or not the ampule 2 is accommodated in the unit cell by using a pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like in the sensing unit cell. In the case of the infrared sensor shown in FIG. 23, it is possible to determine whether the ampule 2 is received only when the ampule inlet gate 130 is closed. When the ampule inlet gate 130 is open, I can not. When the pressure sensor, the proximity sensor, and the like are provided for each unit cell, whether or not the ampule 2 is turned on is detected in real time regardless of whether the ampule inlet gate 130 is opened or closed, There is an advantage that it can be displayed on the display.

In summary, as shown in FIG. 24, when an external power is delivered in the state that the ampoule is replenished (S10) in the dispenser box (S20), the dispensing of the ampoules seated on the conveyor proceeds (S30). When each ampoule is dispensed, it is sensed whether or not it is necessary to replenish the ampoule on the conveyor as described above (S40). If the ampoule needs to be replenished on the conveyor, the storage unit is sequentially opened and closed from the lowest layer (S50 ) To replenish the ampoule on the conveyor and to control the ampoules to be located in the lower layer of the reservoir.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but many variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Box and dispensing apparatus having the same.

10: housing 20:
30: storage unit 40: shutter
50: Conveyor

Claims (14)

A partition member having a partition wall partitioning a plurality of unit cells in which the ampoule is stored;
A shutter for opening and closing a lower portion of each unit cell defined by the partition member;
A driving unit for driving the shutter;
A discharge portion for discharging the ampoule dropped from the partition member through an outlet; And
And an acceptance state display unit for assisting the user in recognizing whether or not the ampule is housed in each of the unit cells. The method according to claim 1,
Comprising a housing,
And an ampoule injection gate is formed on one side of the housing to open and close the unit cells so that the ampoule can be inserted into the unit cells. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the accommodating state display unit includes an illuminating unit that emits light reflected through an ampule received in the unit cell or reflected by an ampule contained in the unit cell so as to be observable from outside through the ampule injecting gate, . The method of claim 3,
Wherein the illuminating unit includes a first light emitting element provided on an inner side of the unit cell or on a side into which the ampule of each of the unit cells is inserted and which emits light so as to be reflected by an ampule housed inside the unit cell. The method of claim 3,
And the illumination unit includes a second light emitting element provided on the other side of the unit cell on which the ampule is inserted and emitting light so as to transmit the ampule contained in the unit cell. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the illumination unit emits light only when the ampule injection gate is opened. The method according to claim 1,
The accommodation status display unit displays,
A fourth sensing unit for sensing whether or not the ampule is accommodated in each of the unit cells; And
And a plurality of display elements provided corresponding to each of the unit cells and being turned on and off according to the acceptance of an ampule of a corresponding unit cell according to the detection result of the fourth sensing unit. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the plurality of display elements are provided so as to be observable from outside through the ampule injection gate. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the ampule injection gate is formed of a light transmitting material. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the display elements function as illumination of a unit cell including the display elements. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the shutter has an ampoule support portion for partitioning between a gate passing vertically so that the ampoule can pass therethrough and an adjacent gate. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the shutter operates in an open state in which the partition wall and the ampule supporting part are vertically aligned and in a closed state in which the partition wall and the ampule supporting part are aligned so as to be staggered in the vertical direction. The method according to claim 1,
And a storage unit having a multi-layered structure in which at least two of the partition members are stacked in a vertical direction,
Wherein the shutter is provided at a lower end of each of the plurality of partition members. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the discharging portion includes a falling down ampoule when the lower end of each unit cell is opened, and a conveyor for transferring the deposited ampoule to the outlet.

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