Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
  • A61J7/00—Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine
  • A61J7/0007—Pill breaking or crushing devices

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an apparatus for distributing powder; and, more particularly, to an apparatus for pulverizing tablets at a hospital or a pharmacy and distributing the powder into medicine wrappers at a moderate amount.
• medicine prepared in a drug store or a hospital pharmacy takes the form of tablets or powder, and children and some adults have some difficulty in swallowing tablets, so powdered medicine needs be prepared. Then pharmacists fill the prescription by pulverizing the tablets into powder.
• a pharmacist should put tablets into a mortar, crash them with a medicine pestle or a mixer, and distribute the powder into a number of medicine wrappers with a spoon.
• This work of pulverizing tablets into powder is not only inconvenient but also hard to distribute the powdered medicine in a necessary number of medicine wrappers in an equal and moderate amount.
• an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for distributing powder where the works of crashing tablets into powder and distributing the powder in a number of wrappers in an equal and moderate amount can be done all together in a single apparatus. It is another object of the present invention to provide a tablet distribution funnel that can seal the medicine wrappers of the powder distribution apparatus with heat wires .
• an apparatus for distributing powder comprising: a housing for forming a pulverization chamber with an opening to which tablets are inputted; a pulverization block provided in the pulverization chamber, for pulverizing the tablets into powder; one or more distribution nozzles of which one end is linked to the pulverization chamber and the other end is exposed to the outside of the housing, for forming the outlet of the powdered medicine and being inserted with a predetermined medicine wrapper; and a distribution unit placed between the pulverization chamber and the distribution nozzles, for distributing the powdered medicine to the distribution nozzles.
• an apparatus for distributing powder including: a pulverization body having a pulverization chamber provided with at least one cutter, for pulverizing tablets; and a distribution unit which is joined to the pulverization body rotatably, arranged radially so as to distribute the powder pulverized in the pulverization chamber in the direction of centrifugal force, and has at least one distribution nozzle of which a predetermined medicine wrapper is inserted at the end.
• an apparatus for distributing powder comprising: a container with an opening for inputting tablets; a pulverization unit for pulverizing the tablets in the container; and a distribution unit for distributing the pulverized medicine by the centrifugal force.
• an automatic powder distribution system comprising: a tablet induction block for inputting tablets; a pulverization chamber for pulverizing the tablets; a cutter installed inside the pulverization chamber for pulverizing the tablets into powder; a rotation disk for distributing the powdered medicine; a partitioned box provided with a plurality of compartments , for containing the powdered medicine distributed by the rotation disk; and a distribution unit for putting the distributed powder in the partitioned box.
• a tablet distribution apparatus including: a funnel; and a plurality of shoe-horn-shaped tablet distribution block, of which one end is connected to the lower part of the funnel and the other is linked to a medicine wrapper.
• Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing disassembled structure of a powder distribution apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 2 is a vertical-sectional view illustrating the assembled structure of the powder distribution apparatus of Fig. 1;
• Figs. 3A and 3B are plane figures illustrating the operation of a one-way clutch bearing;
• Fig. 4 is a perspective view depicting the disassembled structure of the powder distribution apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 5 is a vertical-sectional view depicting the assembled structure of the powder distribution apparatus of Fig. 4;
• Figs. 6A and 6B are a perspective view and a plane figure of a tablet distribution funnel, respectively, in accordance with the present invention.
• Fig. 7 is a plane figure of a powder distribution apparatus in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
• the powder distribution apparatus 100 of the present invention includes a housing 110 provided with an opening 112 to input tablets and a pulverization chamber 114; a pulverization block 120 for being joined with the housing 114, grinding tablets in the pulverization chamber 114; a distribution nozzle 140 connected to the pulverization chamber 114, for forming an outlet of the powdered medicine; and a distribution unit for distributing the powder pulverized in the pulverization chamber 114 to the distribution nozzle 140.
• the pulverization chamber 114 is provided with a narrow bottom portion 116 with smaller sectional area than that of the opening 112 as going down, and the opening is covered with a cover 118.
• On the side of the housing 110 is an operation panel (not shown) with a plurality of function buttons thereon, the panel equipping a press circuit board and operating the powder distribution apparatus 100.
• the pulverization block 120 joined to the narrow bottom portion 116 of the pulverization chamber 114 includes a cutter 122 which being placed in the narrow bottom portion 116, cuts up tablets and a motor 128 which being placed under the cutter 122, rotates the cutter 122 forward or backward.
• a cutter 122 which being placed in the narrow bottom portion 116, cuts up tablets
• a motor 128 which being placed under the cutter 122, rotates the cutter 122 forward or backward.
• the pulverization chamber 114 there is one single cutter illustrated in the pulverization chamber 114, but to improve the pulverization efficiency, it is possible to form multi-cutters piled one over another as well as equipping a plurality of diverging shafts (not shown) and attaching a plurality of cutters 122 at each diverging shaft.
• the cutter 122 is connected to the driving shaft 126 separably. However, it's also possible to attach it detached or attached by inserting it to the driving shaft 126 with force or combine it with bolts.
• the distribution nozzles 140 are arrayed radially centering around the housing 110, one end being linked to the pulverization chamber 114 and the other end being formed exposed to the outside of the housing 110.
• the exposed end of the housing 110 is provided with a powder distribution guiding part 142, the inner part of which formed like a shoehorn to descend the powdered medicine down.
• Each powder distribution guiding part is inserted with a predetermined medicine wrapper 150.
• a distribution unit 150 for distributing the pulverized medicine through the distribution nozzles 140.
• the distribution unit 150 placed between the cutter 122 and the motor 128 includes a rotation disk 152 whose external circumferential surface is neighboring the distribution nozzles 140, and a transmission member which being laid between the driving shaft 126 and the rotation disk 152, transmits or blocks the rotatory power by the rotating direction of the cutter 122 to or from the rotating plate 152.
• the first preferred embodiment of the present invention employs a one-way clutch bearing 156 as a transmission member.
• a boss block 154 for being combined with the driving shaft 126.
• a fixing pin (not shown) to the boss block 154, it can be joined to the driving shaft 126.
• Another method for combining the rotation disk 152 to the driving shaft 126 is to combine the two separably, make spline bond, set the rotation disk to the driving shaft with heat, or in the method of insert-and-fix with strength.
• a predetermined width of a gap Gi is formed between the surface of the rotation disk 152 and the protrusion 144 projected downward from the end of the narrow bottom portion 116.
• the powdered medicine in the pulverization chamber 114 is ejected through the gap Gi as the rotation disk 152 is rotated by the driving motor 128. Therefore, it is desirable to form the gap Gi narrowly to distribute the powder to respective distribution nozzles 140 homogeneously.
• the one-way clutch bearing 156 rotates the shaft inside in one direction only and suppresses it rotating in reverse.
• the one-way clutch bearing 156 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of rolling members 158 and a bearding body 157 provided with holding grooves 159 for accommodating the rolling members 158.
• the operation procedure of the apparatus for distributing powder with this structure will be described hereinafter.
• a plurality of medicine wrappers are inserted to the powder distribution guiding part 142 of each distribution nozzle 140.
• the cover 118 is opened and the tablets to be pulverized are inputted to the pulverization chamber 114, then the cover 118 is closed. Pressing an operation button, and when the motor 128 begins to rotate in one direction, the cutter 122 connected to the driving shaft 126. of the motor 128 rotates and crashes up the tablets inside the pulverization chamber 114.
• the bearing body 157 cannot receive the rotatory power of the driving shaft 126.
• the cutter 122 does rotate while the rotation disk 152 does not.
• the operation button should be pressed and the motor 128 should be rotated in reverse to that direction of the prior rotation above.
• the rolling member of the one-way clutch bearing 156 gets to be in the shallow part of the holding groove 159 and the rotatory power of the driving shaft 126 is transmitted to the bearing body 157, thus the rotation disk 152 can rotate along with the cutter 122. Due to the centrifugal force of the rotation disk 152 that rotates together with the cutter 122, the pulverized powder in the pulverization chamber 114 is inputted to the medicine wrappers 150 via the respective distribution nozzles 140 after passing through the gap Gi between the protrusion 144 and the rotation disk 152. As shown above, the present invention integrates the jobs of pulverizing and moderately distributing the powdered medicine to be conducted in one apparatus by guiding the pulverized medicine to the distribution nozzles 140 inserted with medicine wrappers 150 by the centrifugal force.
• the first embodiment of the present invention is employing a one-way clutch bearing 156 as a transmission member. Besides, it is possible to equip a fixed clutch for connecting the connection shaft and the driving shaft 126 of the motor 128 so as to rotate them integrated, after setting up an extra connection shaft for driving the cutter 122, and an operative clutch bearing that being installed integratedly movable up and down on the roatation plate 152 along the line of shaft, engages with the fixed clutch member so as to be moved integratedly while descending. At this time, after a separate lever is made exposed on the housing 110, the operative clutch can be engaged with or disconnected from the fixed clutch with the lever.
• the pulverization of tablets and the distribution of the powder are conducted with the operations of the functional buttons. However, they can be performed with a single process integrating a series of procedures by using a predetermined MICOM or a timer and operates a button once .
• the first embodiment of the present invention inserts medicine wrappers upwards. However, in case the exposed end of the distribution nozzle is formed horizontally, it's possible to insert the wrapper inward in the direction towards the inside of the radius. Also, to prevent medicine wrappers inserted to the powder distribution guiding part 142 from coming out of it, a separate medicine wrapper secession preventive (not shown) may be provided.
• the apparatus 200 for distributing powder includes: a cylindrical pulverization chamber 214 for crashing tablets; and distribution nozzle 240 combined with the cylindrical pulverization chamber 214 rotatably, for distributing the powder pulverized in the cylindrical pulverization chamber 214 at a predetermined amount.
• the apparatus 200 for distributing powder includes: a cover 218 for closing the cylindrical pulverization chamber 214; a first spring 211 for supporting the cylindrical pulverization chamber 214 upwards; a pressing plate 215 for surrounding the housing 210; a first and a second heat wires 272, 274 for sealing medicine wrappers; a shaft 271 for fixing the first heat wires 272 ovably; a second spring 213; and a pulverization unit 220.
• the pulverization unit 220 includes a cutter 222, cutter blades 224, driving shaft 226 and a motor 228.
• the second embodiment of the present invention further includes an upper motor housing 282 and lower motor housing 284 for covering the motor 228.
• a third spring 217 is fixed on the lower part of the upper motor housing 282 and the location where it is fixed determines the position the second heat wire 274 seals up a medicine wrapper .
• the operation of the apparatus 200 for distributing powder with the above structure will be described hereinafter.
• a plurality of medicine wrappers are inserted to the powder distribution guiding part 242 of the distribution nozzles 240.
• the distribution nozzles 240 combined with the cutter blades 224 and the driving shaft 226 are joined to the motor 228.
• the housing 210 combined with the cylindrical pulverization chamber 214, pressing plate 215 and the cover 218 is placed on the distribution nozzle 240.
• the cover 218 is opened and tablets to be pulverized are inputted through the opening 212, and then the cover 218 is closed.
• the motor 228 rotates in one direction by pressing the functional button, and the cutter 222 connected to the driving shaft 226 of the motor 228 rotates along, crashing up the tablets inside the cylindrical pulverization chamber 214.
• the operation of the one-way clutch bearing is similar to that of the first embodiment.
• the second embodiment takes feature in that it does not rotate the distribution nozzles 240 while the cutter 22 rotates by pushing the cover 218 lightly with the hand and contacting the bottom of the cylindrical pulverization chamber 214 with the distribution nozzles 240.
• the motor 228 is made to rotate in reverse to the direction of the prior rotation by operating functional buttons. This operation is also similar to that of the first embodiment.
• the cylindrical pulverization chamber 214 gets aparted from the bottom of the distribution nozzle 240 thus forming a predetermined length of gap G 2 due to the restitution force of the first spring 211.
• the motor rotates backward and thus the distribution nozzle 240 comes to be separated with the cutter 222 and gets to rotate in reverse to the direction the cutter 222 had rotated.
• the medicine pulverized in the cylindrical pulverization chamber 214 is inputted to the medicine wrappers by the centrifugal force via the powder distribution guiding part 242 after passing through the gap G 2 between the cylindrical pulverization chamber 214 and the distribution nozzle 240.
• the housing 210 combined with the cylindrical pulverization chamber 214, the pressing plate 215 and the cover 218 is detached from the distribution nozzle 240.
• the first heat wire 272 and the second heat wire 274 are charged with electricity and when sealing the medicine wrappers, it maintains quite high temperature.
• one characteristic of the present invention is that it can distribute the powdered medicine in an equal amount incomparably precisely than doing it manually, because it distributes the powder into the powder distribution guiding part 242,. which has the same size of insertion area, by making use of the centrifugal force that occurs while rotating the distribution nozzle 240.
• plumbs 292 are stretched out by the centrifugal force while the motor 228 rotates. They are inserted to the grooves 296 formed at the corresponding positions on the internal surface of the driving shaft 226 which is connected to the distribution nozzle 240, protecting the distribution nozzle 240 from getting aparted.
• the procedures pulverizing tablets and distributing the powder at a moderate amount can be performed through a single process including a series of procedures by operating a function button once using a MICOM or a timer.
• the powder distribution guiding parts 242 of the distribution nozzle 240 are arrayed radially, it is desirable to use medicine wrappers arranged in a circle.
• the small tablet distribution funnel 300 includes a funnel 310, a handle 330, and a tablet distribution guiding parts 320 ⁇ 325 in the shape of a number of rice scoops.
• the number of tablet distribution guiding parts can be formed freely like six, nine, twelve, etc.
• medicine wrappers can be sealed up with the small tablet distribution funnel 300 of the present invention by using the first and the second heat wires 272, 274 of the powder distribution apparatus 200 whose housing 210 and distribution nozzle 240 are separated in the second embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an automatic powder distribution apparatus 400 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
• the automatic powder distribution apparatus 400 of the present invention includes: a tablet induction block 402 for being provided with tablets from the automatic tablet distribution system and guiding them to the powder distribution apparatus 400; a pulverization chamber cover 404 for preventing the powder from flying in the air during the pulverization; a pulverization chamber 406 for pulverizing tablets; a cutter blade 428 for pulverizing tablets; a rotation disk 422; a first motor 436; and oneway clutch bearings 424, 426.
• the automatic powder distribution system 400 of the present invention further includes: a rotation disk 420 for distributing powdered medicine; a partitioned box 420 for containing the powder dispersed in the direction of the centrifugal force while the rotation disk 420 rotates, of which the central direction is open and the other directions are closed; a weight plumb 416; a horizontal shaft 418 for connecting the partitioned box 420 and the weight plumb 416, forming a circumference when looked down; a partitioned box support 414 for propping the horizontal shaft 418 and rotating with the horizontal shaft 418 at the center at as much an angle as allowed; an electro-magnet 413; an electro-magnet support 412 for propping the electro-magnet 413; a bearing 430; a first motor 436; a first motor housing 434 for covering the first motor 436; a second motor 440; a funnel 432; and a transfer system 438.
• a rotation disk 420 for distributing powdered medicine
• tablets are provided from the automatic tablet distribution system and inputted to the pulverization chamber 406 through the tablet induction block 402, and then the pulverization chamber cover 404 is put on.
• the functional buttons being operated, the first motor 436 rotates forward and crashes tablets with the cutter blade 428.
• the powdered medicine is distributed to the partitioned box 420 through the gap G 3 between the pulverization chamber 406 and the rotation disk 422, by rotating the first motor 436 backward and thus rotating the rotation disk 422 connected thereto.
• the fourth embodiment of the present invention makes it possible to rotate the first monitor 436 both forwards and backwards with the one-way clutch bearing 424, 426.
• the partitioned box 420 is a container for holding the pulverized powder that has dispersed in the direction of centrifugal force while the rotation disk 422 rotates.
• the partitioned box 420 includes a plurality of compartments which are arrayed radially when looked down.
• the partitioned box 420 is open in the central direction but closed in other directions and it is a circular structure formed with a plurality of compartments placed closely to each other. In case of manufacturing a big apparatus, it is desired to make 90 compartments. Here, in case one makes 15 doses of medicine for five-day usage he can put the powder in six compartments into one medicine wrapper.
• the partitioned box 420 is designed to maintain the horizon to the rotation disk 422 by the gravity of the weight plumb 416 connected thereto with the horizontal shaft 418.
• the rotating cylinder 410 After the distribution of the pulverized medicine into the partitioned box 420, the rotating cylinder 410 is moved one click aside with the driving shaft 450 of the first motor 436 at the center by rotating the second motor 440.
• the rotating cylinder 410 includes partitioned box supports 414 as many as the number of compartments on the circumference. When they rotate one click aside, one compartment is moved and gets located above the funnel 432.
• the compartment above the funnel 432 is rotated downwards and the powder contained therein is moved onto the funnel 432.
• the electromagnet 413 By charging electricity on the electromagnet 413 connected to the electromagnet support 412 and moving the weight plumb 416 towards the electromagnet 413, the compartment above the funnel 432 is rotated downwards and the powder contained therein is moved onto the funnel 432.
• he can install several electromagnets 413 so as to rotate six compartments at once, move all the medicine therein onto the funnel 432 at a time and put it into one medicine wrapper.
• the 15 doses of medicine for 5-day usage can be sealed up by clicking six times on the funnel 432, putting all the powdered medicine of the six compartments onto the funnel 432, and delivering it to the transfer system 438.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
• Crushing And Pulverization Processes (AREA)
• Medicinal Preparation (AREA)
• Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=26637950

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (5)

Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 2001
  • 2001-08-23 WO PCT/KR2001/001425 patent/WO2002015838A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2001-08-23 JP JP2002520752A patent/JP2004506485A/ja active Pending
  • 2001-08-23 CN CNB018144632A patent/CN1299663C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-08-23 AU AU2001282634A patent/AU2001282634A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2002
  • 2002-02-20 TW TW091102926A patent/TW531516B/zh active

Patent Citations (4)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events