JP2015063346A - Tablet feeding apparatus, detachable component attachable to/detachable from tablet feeding apparatus, and tablet feeding system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to easily clean within medicine feeding passage routes where medicine dusts generated from a medicine may build up to thereby eliminate the possibility of the medicine dust being blended with other medicine in packaging process.SOLUTION: A tablet feeding apparatus is mounted with a plurality of units comprising a tablet feeding part for feeding tablets and a passage route through which the tablets from the tablet feeding part pass, the units being disposed such that the units can be withdrawn from the tablet feeding apparatus to a position to allow the access to the passage routes. This enables easy cleaning within the passage routes.

Description

  The present invention relates to a tablet supply device, a detachable member that can be attached to and detached from the tablet supply device, and a tablet supply system.

  In past dispensing operations, when a tablet (drug) or powder provided in a tablet sheet (PTP sheet) is packaged, the tablet is manually removed from the tablet sheet and divided into tablets each time. Since it is necessary to set in the packaging machine, there was a problem that the work was complicated.

  Therefore, development of a tablet packaging device that can automatically perform the packaging operation as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been performed. Patent Document 1 discloses that a tablet can be automatically packaged by pressing a tablet housing portion of a tablet sheet to take out a tablet and transporting the taken tablet to a packaging means via a tablet delivery path. A possible tablet packaging device is disclosed.

JP 2013-28406 A

  By the way, since the tablet is obtained by solidifying the active ingredient of the medicine by a method such as compression molding, the tablet taken out by the tablet taking-out means as in Patent Document 1 is put into the packaging part via the tablet lead-out route. When it is carried, the drug powder generated from the tablet adheres to the tablet lead-out path. If such drug powder adheres to the tablet lead-out path in the apparatus, it may be mixed when other tablets are packaged. Therefore, it is preferable to clean the path. However, the packaging device shown in Patent Document 1 does not particularly consider cleaning of the inside of the device, and does not disclose a configuration that can easily clean the inside of the device.

  Then, in view of the said subject, this invention aims at providing the tablet supply apparatus which can clean easily the passage route which a tablet passes.

  In order to solve such a problem, the present invention is a tablet supply device equipped with a plurality of units each including a tablet supply unit for supplying tablets, and a passage path through which the tablets supplied from the tablet supply unit pass. The unit is characterized in that it can be pulled out from the tablet supply device to a position where the passage route can be operated.

  Thus, by providing the passage route so that it can be pulled out to a position where it can be easily operated, the passage route through which the tablet passes can be easily cleaned, so that the passage route can always be kept in a good state.

It is a figure which shows a packaging apparatus and a tablet supply apparatus. It is a figure which shows a tablet supply apparatus. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a tablet extraction unit. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a tablet extraction unit. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a tablet supply apparatus. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a tablet supply unit. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a packaging unit. It is the figure which expanded a part (703,704,705) of the internal structure of the packaging unit 701. FIG. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the tablet extraction unit. It is the figure which looked at the tablet supply apparatus 10 from the front. It is the figure which looked at the tablet supply apparatus 10 from the side (right side seeing from the front). It is the figure which expanded a part of tablet supply apparatus 10 shown in FIG. It is the figure which looked at the inside of tablet supply device 10 from the side (right side seeing from the front). It is a figure which shows a mode that the step | paragraph in which the tablet introduction path was mounted was pulled out. It is the figure which looked at the tablet supply apparatus 10 of FIG. 14 from the side (right side seeing from the front). It is the figure which showed a mode that the attachment / detachment member 1601 was mounted | worn in the tablet introduction path 401. FIG. It is a figure which shows the detachable member 1601. FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the drawer unit 1800 was pulled out. It is the figure which showed a mode that the attachment / detachment member 1601 was mounted | worn with respect to the drawer unit 1800 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the drawer unit 1800 was pulled out. It is the figure which showed a mode that the attachment / detachment member 1601 was mounted | worn with respect to the drawer unit 1800 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the drawer | drawing-out unit 1800 laminated | stacked in the gravity direction was pulled out collectively. (A) It is the figure which showed a mode that the attachment / detachment member 1601 was mounted | worn with respect to the drawer unit 1800 shown in FIG. (B) It is a figure which expands and shows a mode that the removable member 1601 is mounted | worn in the tablet introduction path 401 of (a).

  Hereinafter, the tablet supply system (FIG. 1) of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a tablet supply system (tablet extraction system) including a packaging device 5 and a tablet supply device 10 that takes out tablets and supplies them to the packaging device 5. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a tablet supply system including a tablet supply device 10 and a packaging device 5 for packaging tablets supplied from the tablet supply device 10. Reference numeral 1 denotes a tablet taking-out unit, which is a unit for taking out tablets from a tablet sheet. FIG. 2A is an enlarged view showing a partial region of FIG. Further, FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a portion of the input port 203 for inputting the tablet sheet into the tablet extraction unit.

  A tablet sheet is a medicine packed with a thin metal such as aluminum and plastic, and is generally called a PTP sheet (hereinafter referred to as a PTP sheet). Called).

  The tablet supply apparatus 10 stores a plurality of tablet extraction units 1 (tablet extraction units). The tablet extraction unit 1 is an application example of the tablet extraction device of the present invention. Six tablet take-out units 1 are arranged in the width direction (left-right direction), and a set of the six tablet take-out units 1 is arranged in three stages up and down. That is, the tablet taking-out units 1 are arranged in 6 rows on the left and right and 3 steps on the top and bottom. Thus, although the tablet supply apparatus 10 is provided with the some tablet extraction unit 1, the number of the tablet extraction units 1 may be one.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a packaging device, which is a device for packaging tablets supplied from the tablet extraction unit 1 of the tablet supply device 10. Reference numeral 103 denotes a powder supply unit, which is a part that inputs powder to be packaged by the packaging device 5. The powder dosed in the powder dose input unit 103 is divided for each dose, and is charged into a main hopper 505 described later, so that the powder is packaged in a dose. Reference numeral 10 denotes a tablet supply device, which includes one or a plurality of tablet extraction units 1 and a tablet supply unit 400 that supplies tablets extracted by the tablet extraction unit 1.

  The tablet supply device 10 takes out the tablet from the tablet sheet (PTP sheet) by the tablet extraction unit 1 and supplies it to the packaging device 5 through the supply path of the tablet supply unit 400. As shown in FIG. 1, the tablet supply device 10 includes a plurality of tablet extraction units 1. Furthermore, the tablet supply apparatus 10 takes out and supplies one or a plurality of tablets from a tablet sheet (PTP sheet) enclosed in a tablet container.

  Next, the internal structure of the tablet extraction unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a view showing the internal structure of the tablet taking-out unit 1. FIG. 3 shows an example in which two tablet taking-out units 1 are arranged side by side.

  The tablet take-out unit 1 presses the tablet storage unit of the tablet sheet 51 on the mounting table, a transport mechanism that transports the tablet sheet 51, a mounting table on which the tablet sheet 51 transported by the transport mechanism is mounted, and tablets. And an extrusion mechanism for taking out the material. That is, the top of the mounting table is used as the unpacking position. The tablet sheet 51 is a tablet in which a tablet is sealed in the tablet housing portion by providing a sealing sheet using a metal foil made of aluminum or the like on the lower surface of a sheet main body having a tablet housing portion for housing a tablet. Furthermore, the tablet sheet 51 has a form in which convex tablet accommodating portions are arranged in two rows at intervals in the width direction on the sheet portion. The plurality of tablet accommodating portions forming each row are arranged along the length direction of the tablet sheet 51.

  The tablet sheet 51 is not limited to the form in which the tablet accommodating portions are arranged in two rows on the sheet portion, but the form in which the tablet accommodating portions are arranged in one row in the length direction of the tablet sheet 51 It is also possible to adopt a form in which the portions are arranged in a plurality of rows of 3 or more at intervals in the width direction.

  Here, the internal structure of the tablet taking-out unit 1 will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a view showing the internal structure (cross section) of the tablet take-out unit 1, and is a view of the tablet take-out unit 1 as viewed from the right side. Specifically, it is a view when a PTP sheet is set in the tablet sheet inlet 203 and the PTP sheet is conveyed to the unpacking position (tablet extraction position).

  The tablet extraction unit 1 includes a tablet sheet conveyance mechanism (conveyance mechanism) that conveys a tablet sheet, a mounting table 18 on which the tablet sheet is placed, and a tablet extraction mechanism (extrusion mechanism) that takes out the tablet from the tablet sheet. Yes. Reference numeral 39 denotes a lower roller.

  The tablet sheet transport mechanism transports the tablet sheet 51 in the traveling direction, and a plurality of lower rollers 39 provided at intervals along the traveling direction and spaced from each other along the traveling direction. And an upper roller provided.

  The lower roller 39 can be rotationally driven by a drive source (not shown), and can contact the lower surface side with respect to the gravity direction of the PTP sheet portion to apply force to the tablet sheet 51 in the traveling method. The upper roller can be rotationally driven by a drive source (not shown), and can contact the upper surface with respect to the gravity direction of the PTP sheet portion to apply a force in the traveling direction to the tablet sheet 51.

  Since the position of the upper roller and the lower roller in the width direction corresponds to the position between the two rows of tablet storage units, the upper roller and the lower roller contact the tablet storage unit 52 when the tablet sheet is conveyed. There is nothing. That is, the lower roller 39 and the upper roller can sandwich the tablet sheet portion from above and below and transport the tablet sheet in the traveling direction (the backward direction of the tablet take-out device). Furthermore, the lower roller 39 and the upper roller can sandwich the tablet sheet portion from above and below to transport the tablet sheet 51 in the direction opposite to the traveling direction.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes an introduction chute. The introduction chute 24 is provided on the lower surface side of the mounting table, and guides the tablet taken out from the tablet sheet 51 to a tablet introduction path 401 described later. That is, the introduction chute 24 has a discharge port on the lower surface side of the mounting table, and the tablet taken out from the tablet sheet 51 passes through the discharge port and falls into a tablet introduction path 401 described later. The introduction chute 24 is also called a tablet take-out hopper.

  In the state where the tablet sheet 51 is mounted on the mounting table 18, the tablet taking-out unit performs the taking-out operation of the tablet by pushing out the tablet by the pushing mechanism. Moreover, the tablet taking-out unit 1 further has a changing mechanism that changes the speed at which the tablet accommodating portion of the tablet sheet 51 on the mounting table 18 is pressed. If the tablet cannot be taken out by a predetermined operation of the tablet taking-out unit, the push-out speed of the push-out mechanism is changed to a higher speed than the normal speed, the tablet container is pressed, and the take-out operation is continued (retry). . When retrying, the tablet sheet 51 is transported by the transporting means by a predetermined distance from the pressing position on the mounting table 18 for the first time before the tablet container is pressed again. In this state, the tablet is stored by the extrusion mechanism. Press the part. By performing the retry operation in such a state, it is possible to reliably take out the tablet even if the tablet is not taken out by a single take-out operation.

  Next, details of the extrusion mechanism will be described. The extrusion mechanism includes an inner pressing body 83 that presses the vicinity of the center of the tablet accommodating portion, and an outer pressing body 84 that is provided so as to surround the inner pressing body 83 and presses a portion outside the vicinity of the center. ing. The inner pressing body 83 and the outer pressing body 84 operate independently to press the tablet accommodating portion of the PTP sheet and take out the tablet from the PTP sheet. Specifically, the push-out mechanism presses the tablet accommodating portion with the outer pressing body 84 before the inner pressing body 83.

  The tip of the inner pressing body 83 is provided so that the area is narrower than the tablet accommodating portion of most tablet sheets 51 that are supposed to be mounted on the tablet extraction unit. Therefore, when the inner pressing body 83 is lowered to take out the tablet, the tip reaches the lower side with respect to the gravitational direction from the surface of the tablet accommodating portion of the tablet sheet, and from the hole opened in the metal foil of the tablet sheet 51 The tip protrudes downward.

  On the other hand, the tip of the outer pressing body 84 has a larger area than the tablet accommodating portion of most tablet sheets 51 that are supposed to be mounted on the tablet extraction unit. The tip does not protrude from the hole opened in 51 metal foil.

  That is, the tablet container 51 of the tablet sheet 51 is first crushed by using the outer pressing body 84 and then the tablet is reliably pushed out by the inner pressing body 83.

  The tablet take-out mechanism (extrusion mechanism) includes a first lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers the outer pressing body 84 and a second lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers the inner pressing body 83.

  The first elevating mechanism includes a first elevating body 93 to which the outer pressing body 84 is attached, a cam 94 that drives to rotate the first elevating body 93 and urges the first elevating body 93 in the upward direction. And a biasing member (spring).

  The 1st raising / lowering body 93 is a columnar body extended over the front-back direction, and the outer side press body 84 is attached to the front-end part. The cam 94 is a plate-like body designed in consideration of the lifting operation of the outer pressing body 84, and is fixed to a shaft portion that is rotationally driven by a drive mechanism.

  The cam 94 is provided on the upper surface side of the first elevating body 93, is rotationally driven with the rotation of the shaft portion, adjusts the height position by pressing the first elevating body 93, and thereby the outer pressing body 84. The height position of the outer pressing body 84 can be adjusted (the elevating operation of the outer pressing body 84 is performed). The first elevating mechanism can arbitrarily set the timing and displacement amount of the outer pressing body 84 by setting the timing of the cam rotation operation, the shape of the cam, the fixed position of the cam with respect to the shaft portion, and the like.

  The second elevating mechanism includes a second elevating body 98 to which the inner pressing body 83 is attached, a cam 99 that rotates to drive the second elevating body 98 up and down, and biases the second elevating body 98 in the upward direction. And a biasing member (spring).

  The second elevating body 98 is a columnar body extending in the front-rear direction, and an inner pressing body 83 is attached to the front end portion. The cam 99 is provided on the upper surface side of the second elevating body 98 and is rotationally driven with the rotation of the shaft portion, and presses the second elevating body 98 to adjust the height position. The height position can be adjusted (the inner pressing body 83 is moved up and down). The second elevating mechanism can arbitrarily set the elevating operation timing and displacement amount of the inner pressing body 83 by setting the rotation timing of the cam 99, the shape of the cam, the fixed position of the cam with respect to the shaft portion, and the like.

  For this reason, the cam 94 and the cam 99 can operate independently of each other with respect to the first lifting body and the second lifting body, respectively, and the inner pressing body 83 and the outer pressing body 84 can be lifted and lowered independently of each other. it can.

  The timing of the rotational operation of the two cams in the tablet take-out mechanism can be determined based on a signal from the detection unit of the tablet position detection mechanism. Specifically, the inner pressing body 83 and the outer pressing body 84 can be operated in accordance with the detected position of the tablet accommodating portion.

  The tablet take-out unit 1 further includes a detection mechanism 17 that can detect the length of the pressed tablet container and the position of the pressed tablet container before pressing the tablet container of the PTP sheet. Yes. Then, the tablet supply device can calculate a position optimal for pressing according to the detected length of the tablet container and the position of the tablet container, and can calculate a transport distance necessary to obtain the position. That is, the transport mechanism (the lower roller 39 and the upper roller) can transport the tablet sheet to an optimum position necessary for the tablet storage unit on the mounting table 18 to be pressed by the transport distance.

  Next, the internal structure of the tablet supply device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a view of the tablet supply device 10 as seen from the back side (back side).

  Reference numeral 204 denotes a detection mechanism that is provided by an optical sensor (beam sensor) or the like and detects a falling object. When the unwrapped tablet falls in the introduction chute 24, the unwrapped tablet passes over the sensor and blocks a part of the light. A state where a part of the light of the beam sensor is shielded and the amount of light is changed is referred to as an ON state, and a state where the light is not shielded and the amount of light is not changed is referred to as an OFF state. The presence / absence of a fallen object can be determined using this ON / OFF state. The tablet drop detection mechanism further includes an optical sensor 204 and a falling tablet counter that counts the passage of tablets. That is, the tablet supply device 10 is provided so that the passage of the tablet can be detected by the detection mechanism, and it can be determined whether or not the tablet has been taken out from the tablet container by pressing.

  That is, if the passage of the tablet is not detected even after the take-out operation is performed, the pressing operation of the tablet container by the pushing mechanism is continued (retry). Thereby, taking out of a tablet can be performed reliably. On the other hand, when the passage of the tablet is not detected after the taking-out operation, the pressing operation of the tablet container by the pushing mechanism is not continued (retry) after the taking-out operation.

  401 is a tablet introduction path (passage path). The tablet introduction path 401 is electrically connected to the introduction chute 24, and relays the dropped tablet taken out from the tablet sheet from the introduction chute 24 to the first accumulation hopper.

  Next, the internal structure of the tablet supply unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. The first accumulation hopper 402 is a part in which the tablet taken out from the PTP sheet by the tablet take-out unit 1 drops through the introduction chute 24 and passes through the tablet introduction path 401 from the introduction chute 24 and is accumulated. It is. That is, the tablet introduction path 401 is directly connected to the first accumulation hopper 402.

  The second accumulation hopper 501 further accumulates the tablets accumulated in the first accumulation hopper 402. That is, the second integrated hopper 501 is electrically connected to the first integrated hopper 402.

  That is, the tablet 50 that has fallen on the first accumulation hopper 402 falls on the second accumulation hopper 501 and is accumulated.

  The first delivery mechanism 502 moves the tablets 50 accumulated in the second accumulation hopper to the third accumulation hopper. The third accumulation hopper 503 accumulates the tablets sent (moved) by the first delivery mechanism 502. Then, the second delivery mechanism 504 moves the tablets accumulated in the third accumulation hopper to the main hopper 505. The main hopper 505 accumulates the tablets (one time) delivered (moved) by the second delivery mechanism 504, and puts the accumulated tablets into the packaging sheet (wrapping paper).

  Next, the internal structure of the packaging unit 701 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing the internal structure of the packaging unit 701. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a part (703, 704, 705) of the internal structure of the packaging unit 701 shown in FIG.

  The packaging unit 701 is a unit in the packaging device 5. Reference numeral 702 denotes a roll paper feed mechanism that feeds roll paper in which the packaging sheets are continuous (paper in which the wrapping paper is rolled) to the packaging mechanism. 703, the tablets (one tablet 803) accumulated in the main hopper 505 are put into the packaging sheet, and the packaging sheet is heated and welded, whereby the tablets put into the packaging sheet are Enclose in a packaging sheet (packaging mechanism). In 704, the tablets accumulated in the main hopper 505 are put into the packaging sheet, and the packaging sheet is heated and welded to enclose the tablets put in the packaging sheet into the packaging sheet. (Packaging mechanism) That is, the packaging mechanism 703 and the packaging mechanism 704 heat and weld the packaging sheet, thereby enclosing the tablets put in the packaging sheet into the packaging sheet.

  Reference numeral 705 denotes a cutting mechanism that forms a split perforation 801 on a packaging sheet for dividing a continuous roll of paper into a single packaging sheet (one packet 802). A printer 706 prints date, patient data, and error information on a packaging sheet (printing mechanism).

  With the packaging unit shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a single tablet or powder can be packaged in a packaging sheet. In addition, as a packaging sheet, not only the paper which coated the resin material which can be heat-welded on the surface but the transparent film material which can visually recognize the contents can also be used.

  Next, the internal structure of the tablet dispensing unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Reference numeral 901 denotes a cover for the tablet sheet slot 203. By opening the cover 901, the tablet sheet 51 can be inserted into the insertion port 203.

  Further, reference numeral 24 shown in FIG. 9 denotes an introduction chute, which has already been described with reference to FIG.

  Next, the tablet supply device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a front view of the tablet supply device 10. As shown also in FIG. 1, 1 shown in FIG. 10 is a tablet taking-out unit. The tablet taken out from the PTP sheet by the tablet taking-out unit 1 passes through the introduction chute 24, passes through the tablet introduction path 401, and falls to the first accumulation hopper 402.

  Next, each structure with which the tablet supply unit 400 of the tablet supply apparatus 10 is provided is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 11 is a view of the tablet supply device 10 as viewed from the side (right side when viewed from the front). As described with reference to FIG. 10, the tablet taken out from the PTP sheet by the tablet taking-out unit 1 passes through the introduction chute 24 and the tablet introduction path and falls into the first accumulation hopper 402.

  Then, the tablet that has passed through the first accumulation hopper 402 passes through the second accumulation hopper 501 and is sent to the first delivery mechanism 502. The first delivery mechanism is a first relay unit.

  Then, the first delivery mechanism 502 sends the tablets to the third accumulation hopper 503, and the third accumulation hopper 503 sends the tablets to the second delivery mechanism 504. The second delivery mechanism 504 is a second relay unit. The second delivery mechanism 504 sends the tablets sent to the second delivery mechanism 504 to the main hopper 505.

  Next, how the tablets taken out from the tablet take-out unit 1 pass through the introduction chute 24, the tablet introduction path 401, and the first accumulation hopper 402 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram in which a part of the tablet supply device 10 shown in FIG. 10 is extracted. That is, FIG. 12 is a diagram in which two tablet extraction units 1 shown in FIG. 10 are deleted. A dotted line arrow 1201 shown in FIG. 12 indicates a moving path of the tablet taken out from the tablet taking-out unit 1. Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the width of the conduit on the left side of the first accumulation hopper 402 and the conduit in the middle is 78 mm in diameter.

  Next, each structure with which the tablet supply unit 400 of the tablet supply apparatus 10 is provided is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 13 is a view of the inside of the tablet supply device 10 as viewed from the side (right side when viewed from the front). A dotted line arrow 1201 shown in FIG. 13 indicates a moving path of the tablet taken out from the tablet taking-out unit 1. In the tablet supply unit 400, as shown in FIG. 13, the first stage, the second stage, and the third stage are provided so as to overlap in the direction of gravity. Each stage (unit) is provided with a tablet take-out unit 1 for taking out a tablet from a tablet sheet, a tablet introduction path 401, and an introduction chute 24.

  The tablets taken out from the tablet take-out unit 1 in the uppermost stage 1301 (first stage) are the introduction chute 24 in the first stage 1301, the tablet introduction path 401 in the middle stage 1302 (second stage), and the lower stage 1303 (third stage). Through the tablet introduction path 401 to the first inclined portion 1401. The tablet taken out from the tablet take-out unit 1 of the second stage 1302 passes through the introduction chute 24 of the second stage 1302 and the tablet introduction path 401 of the third stage 1303 and enters the first inclined part 1401. It reaches. Further, the tablet taken out from the tablet taking-out unit 1 of the third stage 1303 passes through the introduction chute 24 of the third stage 1303 and reaches the first inclined portion 1401. That is, the tablet introduction path 401 in each stage is provided so as to penetrate the upper surface and the lower surface of each stage (drawing unit).

  The distance from the outlet of the introduction chute 24 of the tablet extraction unit 1 in the uppermost stage 1301 (first stage) to the first inclined portion 1401 is about 460 mm. The distance from the outlet of the introduction chute 24 of the tablet extraction unit 1 in the middle stage 1302 (second stage) to the first inclined portion 1401 is about 265 mm.

  The length of the first integrated hopper 402 is about 362 mm. That is, the distance from the outlet of the introduction chute 24 of the lowermost tablet extraction unit 1 to the second accumulation hopper 501 is about 362 mm. When the tablets are taken out from the PTP sheet in each stage of the tablet extraction unit 1, the tablets pass through the introduction chute 24, from the outlet of the introduction chute 24, through the tablet introduction path 401, and into the first accumulation hopper 402. , And are accumulated in the second accumulation hopper 501.

  At this time, in consideration of shortening the packaging time of the whole tablet supply device 10, it is conceivable that the introduction chute 24 (tablet take-out hopper) is vertically dropped vertically and stored in the lower part of the second accumulation hopper. However, when the tablet taken out by the uppermost tablet taking-out unit 1 is vertically dropped vertically from the outlet of the introduction chute 24 (tablet taking-out hopper) and stored in the lower part of the second accumulation hopper, there is about 876 mm. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the tablet will be broken or broken. Moreover, when the medicine taken out from the PTP sheet is a capsule, there is a high possibility that the medicine will be dented and deformed.

  The tablet supply device 10 can be used by stacking a plurality of tablet take-out units 1. Therefore, particularly when the tablet falls from the uppermost tablet extraction unit 1, the distance from the outlet of the introduction chute 24 (tablet extraction hopper) to the second accumulation hopper becomes very long, or the tablet taken out from the PTP sheet, The possibility that the capsule will break is increased.

  Therefore, a first inclined portion 1401 for bouncing the tablet is provided on the upper portion of the first accumulation hopper 402 so that the packaging time is not lost much. That is, a part of the upper part of the first stacking hopper 402 is offset. Specifically, the first inclined portion 1401 has an inclination of about 32 ° from the direction of gravity.

  Also in the second stacking hopper 501, the second stacking hopper 501 does not lose the packaging time so much that the tablet does not reach the bottom of the second stacking hopper 501 directly from the first stacking hopper 402. A second inclined portion 1402 for bounce is provided.

  Specifically, the second inclined portion 1402 has an inclination of about 40 ° from the horizontal direction.

  Note that the angles of the first inclined portion 1401 and the second inclined portion 402 described above are examples, and the angle at which the falling tablet bounces (lowers the dropping speed) and can move to the subsequent path (next) Any angle may be used as long as it can be supplied to the supply section by dropping.

  Thus, by providing the 1st inclination part 1401 in the 1st accumulation hopper 402, and the 2nd inclination part 1402 in the 2nd accumulation hopper 501, from the introduction chute 24 exit of tablet taking-out unit 1, the 2nd accumulation hopper 501 is provided. The tablet can be prevented from dropping directly to the bottom. As a result, the direction in which the tablet falls can be changed, and a cushion that does not damage or deform the tablet can be provided. As a result, the impact when the falling tablet reaches the lower part of the second stacking hopper 501 can be reduced, and the possibility that the tablet is broken or deformed can be reduced.

  The 1st inclination part is provided in the position where the tablet which fell from the tablet taking-out apparatus contacts, and the 2nd inclination part is in the position where the tablet which contacted the 1st inclination part falls further and contacts. Is provided.

  Further, by providing the first inclined portion 1401 and the second inclined portion 1402 with a material (impact absorbing material) that absorbs impact, such as rubber, it is possible to further suppress the impact of the tablet.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a state when the stage of the tablet supply unit 400 is pulled out. 15 is a view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 14 as viewed from the right side, and is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure.

  Slide rails 1411 are provided on both side surfaces of each stage of the tablet supply unit 400, and are provided so as to be able to be pulled out from the apparatus main body in a direction crossing the gravity direction. FIG. 14 shows a state where the third stage is pulled out. In addition, here, six tablet extraction units 1 are provided in each stage, and an example in which these are extracted at once is shown. However, the tablet extraction units 1 may be divided into a plurality of units and extracted.

  Each of these stages can draw the tablet introduction path 401 to a position where the user can operate it. By pulling out to such a position, the user can easily clean the tablet introduction path.

  Further, a sensor (not shown) capable of detecting that the step is pulled out is provided on the rear side of the tablet taking-out unit. And when the said sensor is pulled out, waste of a tablet and waste of sheet paper can be prevented by controlling so that a tablet taking-out operation and a packaging operation cannot be performed. Note that a contact-type microswitch or a magnet sensor can be used as such a sensor.

  As shown in FIG. 15, when the stage where a plurality of tablet extraction units and tablet introduction paths 401 are mounted is pulled out, the entrance (upper opening) and the outlet (lower opening) of the tablet introduction path 401 are completely exposed. It becomes a state. Therefore, the user can easily clean the tablet introduction path. In order to facilitate the operation, the lower stage (third stage) should be pulled out until the position of the tablet introduction path 401 is about 20 mm before the position of the upper stage (second stage). Is preferred. That is, it is preferable that the lower stage can be pulled out to the operable position without passing through the upper stage without interfering with the upper stage.

  In addition, by providing the stage where the tablet introduction path 401 is mounted until such a state is obtained, a removable inner introduction member 1601 (detachable member) can be attached to and detached from the tablet introduction path 401 ( FIG. 16). By attaching an inner introduction member that can cover the inner surface of the tablet introduction path 401 and removing and cleaning it as appropriate, the inside of the tablet introduction path can be more easily kept clean.

  An enlarged view of such an inner introduction member 1601 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, the inner introduction member 1601 has a shape such that the upper opening is wider than the lower opening and is slightly smaller than the tablet introduction path 401, similarly to the shape of the tablet introduction path 401. ing. The portion corresponding to the introduction chute 24 is provided with an opening so that the tablet can be sent to the tablet introduction path 401.

  The material that can be used for the inner introduction member 1601 is preferably a water-washable member, and can be formed using a resin material such as ABS, PC, POM, or PET, or a stainless metal material. The inner introduction member 1601 may be provided with an inexpensive member such as paper and may be disposable. Thereby, cleanliness can be maintained more easily.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the stage on which the tablet unit and the tablet introduction path 401 are mounted is described as an example having three stages, but the present invention can also be applied to the case of two stages or four stages or more.

  Further, in the present embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the description has been given using the figure in which the first stage 1301 is also provided with the tablet introduction path 401, but the tablet introduction path 401 may not be provided in the uppermost stage. Furthermore, although this embodiment has been described using an example of a drug as a tablet, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to other than drugs.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, an embodiment in which a plurality of stages each provided with a plurality of tablet extraction units and tablet introduction paths 401 can be pulled out is not limited to such a configuration. As shown, each of the drawing units 1800 provided so that the tablet introduction path 401 is positioned between the two tablet extraction units may be provided so as to be able to be drawn along the slide rail. Also in such a drawer unit 1800, the inner introduction member 1601 can be easily attached to and detached from each tablet introduction path 401 as shown in FIG.

  As another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, each drawing unit 1800 including one tablet extraction unit 1 and a tablet introduction path 401 may be provided so that it can be extracted along the slide rail. . Also in such a drawer unit 1800, the inner introduction member 1601 can be easily attached to and detached from each tablet introduction path 401 as shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, as another embodiment, a plurality of drawer units each including one tablet extraction unit 1 and a tablet introduction path 401 as shown in FIG. 20 may be provided so as to be drawn out in a row along the direction of gravity ( FIG. 22). In this case, the tablet introduction part 401 of each drawer unit may be provided so that the user can operate from the side instead of from the upper side in the state where the drawer unit is pulled out. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 23 (a) and 23 (b), the tablet introduction path 401 of each unit is composed of three side surfaces from which one side is eliminated, and is in contact with an adjacent unit. To be used. By using such a tablet introduction path 401, it becomes easy to visually check the state of attachment and the state of dirt from the side surface, and it is easier to clean the tablet introduction path and attach / detach the inner introduction part with the plurality of drawer units 1800 pulled out. It can be performed. Such a shape of the tablet introduction path 401 can also be applied to the tablet take-out device shown in FIG. In addition, although the example where the cross-sectional shape of the tablet introduction path 401 is a rectangular shape is shown here, the shape is not limited to this shape, and the tablet introduction path 401 may be provided in a circular shape or a polygonal shape.

  In the present embodiment, description has been given using an example in which each stage or each drawer unit is provided with a tablet extraction unit that extracts a tablet from a tablet sheet and a tablet introduction path through which the tablet extracted from the tablet extraction unit passes. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where a tablet supply unit that supplies tablets from a tablet cassette (tablet supply unit) that holds a plurality of tablets is used instead of the tablet extraction unit. That is, when each stage or each drawing unit includes a tablet supply unit that supplies tablets from a tablet cassette that holds a plurality of tablets, and a tablet introduction path through which the tablets supplied from the tablet supply unit pass, the tablet introduction path is By providing each stage or each drawer unit so that it can be pulled out to an operable position, the same effect can be obtained.

Tablet removal unit 1
Tablet introduction path (passage path) 401
Detachable member 1601

Claims (10)

A tablet supply device including a plurality of units each including a tablet supply unit for supplying tablets, and a passage route through which the tablets supplied from the tablet supply unit pass,
The tablet supply device, wherein the unit can be pulled out from the tablet supply device to a position where the passage route can be operated.   The tablet supply device according to claim 1, wherein the tablet supply unit that supplies the tablets that pass through the passage path is mounted on a unit that is located above the unit including the passage path in the direction of gravity. .   The tablet supply device according to claim 1, wherein the passage path is a path that penetrates an upper surface and a lower surface of the unit.   The tablet supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of units arranged along the direction of gravity can be pulled out together.   The tablet supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of units arranged along a direction intersecting the direction of gravity can be pulled out together. The passing path is detachable with an detachable member along the inner surface of the passing path,
The tablet supply device according to claim 1, wherein the unit can be pulled out to a position where the detachable member is detachable.   The tablet supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the unit can be pulled out along a slide rail. A detachable member attachable to and detachable from a tablet supply device equipped with a plurality of units each including a tablet supply unit for supplying tablets, and a passage route through which tablets supplied from the tablet supply unit pass,
The detachable member attachable to and detachable from the tablet supply device, wherein the detachable member is detachable by pulling out the unit of the tablet supply device.   The detachable member attachable to and detachable from the tablet supply device according to claim 8, wherein the detachable member is detachable along the inner surface of the passage path. A tablet supply device including a plurality of units each including a tablet supply unit for supplying tablets, and a passage route through which the tablets supplied from the tablet supply unit pass;
A detachable member detachably attached to the inner surface of the passage path;
Have
The tablet supply system, wherein the attachment / detachment member is attachable / detachable by pulling out the unit of the tablet supply device.