JPH0487909A - Tablet subdivision packing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten the packaging time and allow dealing with tablets that are not stored in tablet take-out devices, by a method wherein conveyers which carry the tablets to a packaging device are brought in operation selectively corresponding either to the tablet take-out timing of the tablet take-out devices or the packaging timing, and a tablet hand-spreading device is provided. CONSTITUTION:Tablets taken out from tablet take-out devices 1 are collected block by block in each hopper 9, and led either to a delivery point 10a or 10b, that corresponds to a conveyer 3a or 3b, by an allocating device 10 mounted at the lower ends. When receiving the tablets, the conveyer 3a or 3b shifts medicine container parts 12 a pitch at a time according to the tablet take-out timing, so that the medicine container parts 12 arrive in turn at said delivery point 10a or 10b. When the tablets are fed into a packaging device 2, the container parts 12 are moved a pitch at a time according to the tablet packaging timing, and when some vacant container parts 12 are found, the container parts 12 are continuously moved until all the vacant container parts 12 pass away a medicine introducing part. Similarly, the tablets from a tablet hand-spreading device 21 are led into the packaging device 2 by the conveyer 3a or 3b through the hopper 9 and the allocating device 10.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] This invention relates to a tablet packaging machine.

[Prior Art] Various tablet packaging machines have been developed and put into practical use, each of which includes a large number of tablet dispensing devices that accommodate and sequentially take out tablets, and a packaging device that packages the tablets taken out from each of the tablet dispensing devices. has been made into

[Problem M to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional tablet packaging machine of this type, if the single-dose tablets taken out from the tablet ejecting device are not packaged by the packaging device, the next single-dose tablets cannot be packed. The tablet cannot be removed from the tablet ejection device, even if the tablet ejection speed is slower than the packaging speed.
For example, it is not possible to process the required batches of tablets in advance, and therefore, no matter how much the packaging speed of the packaging device itself is improved, the packaging time from the start to the end of dispensing the required batches will be shortened. Since the method depends on the tablet removal speed, the packaging time cannot be further shortened, and tablets that are not stored in the tablet removal device cannot be handled.

This invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the conventional method and can shorten the packaging time from the start to the end of packaging for the required batches. The object of the present invention is to provide a tablet packaging machine that can handle any type of tablets, including tablets that are not contained therein.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a large number of tablet dispensing devices that accommodate and sequentially take out tablets, and a packaging device that divides and packages the tablets taken out from each of the tablet dispensing devices. In the tablet packaging machine, a conveying device that conveys the tablets taken out from each of the tablet taking out devices to the packaging device is configured to adjust either the taking out timing of each of the tablet taking out devices or the packaging timing of the packaging device. It is provided with a manual tablet dispensing device for selective operation.

[Function] By employing the above-mentioned means, the present invention can carry out the subsequent operation of taking out the tablets without waiting for the packaging operation of the tablets to be packed in advance. By using a manual tablet dispensing device, even tablets that are not stored in a tablet dispensing device can be packaged in the same way as tablets stored in a tablet dispensing device.

[Example] Embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings will be described below.

1 to 3 show an embodiment of this invention, 1.1,...
・A large number of tablet ejecting devices that store and sequentially eject tablets;
2 is a tablet extraction device 1.1,...a packaging device for dividing and packaging the tablets taken out from the shell; 3a and 3b are tablet extraction devices 1.1;
, . . . , a conveyance device for conveying the tablets taken out from the tablets to the packaging device 2, and 21 is a manual tablet dispersion device.

As shown in FIG. 4, each tablet ejecting device 1 includes a storage section 4 that accommodates a large number of tablets, and an ejection section 5 that sequentially ejects the tablets, and the storage section 4 and the ejection section 5 are substantially the same. It is configured in the shape of a cylinder (cylindrical or rectangular tube) with a diameter, and a tablet replenishment port 6 connected to the storage section 4 is formed at the upper end, and a tablet ejection lower connected to the ejection section 5 is formed at the lower end. .

Although not shown, the tablet supply port 6 is provided with an appropriate lid that can be opened and closed, and the tablets in the storage section 4 are sequentially arranged in a predetermined number of tablets one by one around the circumference in the takeout section 5. A circular sorting plate is rotatably provided, and each time the sorting plate is rotated by a predetermined angle as the take-out unit 5 is operated, tablets are taken out one tablet at a time from the tablet take-out lower. ing.

In addition, the tablet ejecting devices 1.1, . ,
A driving member 8 such as a motor that operates the ejecting section 5 of the tablet ejecting device 1 is provided, and the ejecting section 5 and the driving member 8 are attached and detached as the tablet ejecting device 1 is attached to and detached from the mounting position. It looks like this.

Then, in the attached state, the tablet ejecting device 1.1,...
* are arranged in multiple rows in front, back, left and right so that the tablet supply ports 6, 6, . . . face the outside world.

The tablet ejecting devices 1.1, . . . are divided into a plurality of blocks along the left and right direction of the packaging machine body.
Tablets taken out from blocks 1, . . . are collected by hoppers 9, 9, . . . for each block.

At the lower end of the hoppers 9.9, . . ., there is a device 10.
10, . . . are provided respectively, and the distribution is made by the device 10.
10, . . . guide the tablets collected by the hoppers 9, 9, . The receiver corresponding to the transport device 3b is designed to be guided to the transfer position lOb, or to be selected by switching between the two.

The transport device 3a (3b) includes a plurality of drug storage sections 12.12, which are mutually partitioned by partition plates 11.11, .
... is composed of an endless belt formed in one row along the longitudinal direction, and fixed side plates 13, 13 are provided on both sides of the endless belt.

Further, the conveyance device 3a (3b) is configured to be movable in one direction by the operation of a drive member 14, and the tablet ejecting device 1.
When receiving the tablets taken out from the tablets 1, 1, . . . , the drug storage sections 12, 12, . 10b), the tablet ejection device 1.
According to the timing of taking out the tablets 1, . . . , the medicine storage units 12, 12, .
．． According to the packaging timing of the packaging device 2, the drug storage sections 12.12, .
...is transferred one pitch at a time.

The drug introduction section 15 of the packaging device 2 is formed in a hopper shape so that the upper end is widened to correspond to the transport devices 3a and 3b, and the lower end is narrowed to correspond to the packaging device 2.

When the conveying device 3a (3b) transfers the tablet from the receiving operation to the introducing operation, the drug accommodating sections 12, 12, .
and a drug storage section 12.1 in which no tablets are stored.
2,..., if there is, the unaccommodated medicine storage section 12.
12, . . . until it passes through the drug introduction section 15 of the packaging device 2.

Further, the conveyance device 3a (3b) includes at least the front side of the packaging device 2 up to the drug introduction section 15 in the conveyance direction.
An appropriate cover 16 is provided in a section where the medicine storage parts 12.12, . . . are oriented in a direction other than upward.

The packaging device 2 packages the tablets introduced one dose at a time from the drug introduction section 15 onto an appropriate packaging sheet (not shown). Information on taking the packaged tablets, patient name, etc. can be printed as necessary.

The manual tablet dispensing device 21 is provided in front of and below the tablet dispensing devices 1.1, . ,
The amount is distributed to the device 1 via the hopper 9 located at the corresponding position.
0, they are distributed to the conveying device 3a or 3b, conveyed, and introduced into the packaging device 2.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the manual tablet dispensing device 21 includes a pre-dispensing cassette 22 that can be pulled out from the housing, and conveyors 23 and 24 disposed inside the housing. .

The pre-spreading cassette 22 has a plurality of cells 25, 25, 25, . As the slide rail 27 moves in and out of the housing due to the operation of the motor 26, it is pulled out together with the slide rail 27 from the housing and is stored within the housing.

When the pre-spreading cassette 22 is in the position where it is pulled out from the casing, it is of course possible to manually spread tablets in that position, but if necessary, the slide rail 27 can be removed and other It has also become possible to manually distribute tablets on site.

In addition, all squares 25.25 of the pre-spreading cassette 22
The bottom plates of the squares 25, 25, . It looks like this.

When the pre-spraying cassette 22 is in the position where it is pulled out from the housing, the operator manually operates the shutter bar 29 provided on the pre-sprinkling cassette 22, or the pre-sprinkling cassette 22 is placed inside the housing. When in the retracted position, the shutter actuating member 30 provided within the housing
Only when the shack lever 29 is automatically operated by the movement of the motor 31, the shutter 28 opens and the square 25.2 is opened.
5. The bottom plate of... is opened.

The conveyor 23 uses the day plates 32, 32, .
An endless belt forming compartments 33, 33, . . . corresponding to ,
They are arranged parallel to each other.

Then, the conveyor 23 is arranged in an orderly manner so that the compartments 33, 33, . motor 35
By the operation of , the compartment moves one pitch at a time.

The conveyor 24 is disposed at the end of the conveyor 23 in the moving direction, and the compartments 33 for one row are separated by the partition plates 34, 34, .
．． 33, . . . corresponding to compartments 37, 37, . . . formed by an endless belt.

When the conveyor 23 is in a stopped state between movements, the conveyor 24 is operated by the motor 38.
It is designed to move one compartment at a time.

Next, the operation of the above will be explained.

First, the operation of taking out tablets from the tablet taking out devices 1.1, . . . is performed as follows.

First, a tablet ejecting device (i.e., IA) containing a tablet (e.g., A) to be ejected is activated, and one tablet A is removed.
Have the child take out one tablet at a time.

Then, this first batch of tablets A is collected by the hopper 9 corresponding to the tablet take-out device IA, and the distributed portion is transferred to the receiving position 10a (1
0b), and the corresponding transport device 3a (
3b) is housed in the medicine storage section 12.

In response to this, the transport device 3a (3b) moves the drive member 14
By the operation of , the medicine storage sections 12, 12, . . . are transferred by one pitch.

Next, operate the tablet ejector IA to take out another tablet A.
When the batch of tablets A is taken out, the tablets A for the second time are collected by the corresponding hopper 9, and the selected tablet A is guided to the transfer position 1Oa (10b) by the device 10, and the tablet A is guided to the transfer position 1Oa (10b), and the tablets A for the second time are collected by the corresponding hopper 9. ) is stored in the next medicine storage section 12.

In response to this, the transport device 3a (3b) moves the drive member 1
4, the medicine storage sections 12, 12, . . . are transferred by one more pitch.

Thereafter, in the same manner, each time a tablet A is taken out one dose at a time by the operation of the tablet taking out device IA, the conveying device 3a (3b) picks up one pill from the drug storage sections 12, 12, . In order to transfer the
The taken out tablets A are stored in the drug storage parts 12.12, . . .
, and are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the transport device 3a (3b).

In addition, when taking out tablets that are not stored in the tablet taking out devices 1.1, . . . , using the manual tablet spreading device 21,
This is done as follows.

First, the motor 26 is operated to pull out the pre-spreading cassette 22 from the housing, and at the pulled-out position, the tablets to be taken out (for example, B) are manually spread into the squares 25, 25, . . . of the pre-spreading cassette 22.

In this case, if necessary, the pre-spreading cassette 22 in the pulled-out position can be removed from the slide rail 27 and manual seeding work can be performed at another position.

When the manual dispensing work of the tablets B is completed, the motor 26 is operated to store the predispensing cassette 22 in the housing.

At this time, if the conveyor 23 is not in use, the motor 31 is activated and the shutter operating member 30 automatically operates the shack lever 29 to open the shutter 28 of the pre-spreading cassette 22.

As a result, squares 25.25 of the pre-spreading cassette 22,
The tablets B within ... fall in bulk and are transferred to the corresponding compartments 33, 33, ... of the conveyor 23.

On the other hand, when the manual dispensing work of tablets is completed and the preliminary dispensing cassette 22 is stored in the housing by the operation of the motor 26, if the conveyor 23 is in use, the motor 31 is operated until the dispensing operation is completed. is automatically suppressed. Therefore, the tablets that were manually distributed in the pre-distribution cassette 22 during the previous manual distribution operation and the tablets that were manually distributed in the pre-distribution cassette 22 in the
The hand-distributed tablets are transferred to the compartment 33. of the conveyor 23.
33, . . . will be prevented from occurring.

When the tablets are transferred from the pre-spreading cassette 22 to the conveyor 23, the motor 35 is activated and the conveyor 23 is moved until the tablets B in the compartments 23, 23, . . . located in the first row are dropped. let

As a result, the tablets B in compartments 33, 33, . . . located in the first row of conveyor 23 are transferred to compartments 37, 37, .

Then, the motor 38 is activated, and the compartment chamber 3 located at the front
The conveyor 24 is moved until the tablets B in 7 are dropped.

Thereby, the compartment 37 located at the head of the conveyor 24
The tablets B inside are distributed to the device 10 via the printer 9.
The receiver selected by is guided to the transfer position 10a (10b) and stored in the drug storage section 12 of the corresponding transport device 3a (3b).

Following this, operation of motor 38 causes conveyor 24 to
The tablets B in all the compartments 37, 37, .
Further, the conveyor 24 is sequentially accommodated in the conveyor 24
When the tablets B in the compartments 37, 37, ... have been completely dropped, the conveyor 23 is moved by the operation of the motor 35.
is moved by one pitch, and the tablets B in compartments 33, 33, . . . located in the next one row are transferred to the conveyor 24.

In the same manner, all compartments 33 . of the conveyor 23 .
33, . . . Tablets B or one dose each are delivered to the conveying device 3a.
(3b) are sequentially accommodated in the drug storage sections 12, 12, . . . and arranged along the longitudinal direction of the transport device 3a (3b).

And the packaging unit (a collection of multiple colors that should be packaged in a series)
If the number of parcels exceeds the capacity of a single conveyance device 3a (3b), that is, the distribution is transferred to the conveyance device (i.e., 3a) corresponding to the receiving position (for example, 10a) selected by the device 10. Chemical storage section 12.12,...
Even if the tablets are full, if the operation of taking out the tablets for that packaging unit is not completed yet, the device 10 is switched to distribute the tablets and the other tray is placed in the passing position, i.e., 10b.
) and select the corresponding transport device (i.e. 3b)
If the tablets are sequentially stored in the drug storage sections 12, 12, .

Furthermore, when a conveyance device (for example, 3a) is used to take out tablets for a certain packaging unit, if necessary, a pond conveyance device (for example, 3b) is used to take out tablets for another packaging unit. This means that the extraction operations can be performed simultaneously and in parallel.

In this way, it is possible to take out the tablets from the tablet take-out devices 1.1, . During operation, necessary operations such as replenishing and replacing packaging sheets with respect to the packaging device 2 can be performed without any hindrance.

Further, the tablet packaging operation by the packaging device 2 is performed as follows.

First, the conveyance device 3a < 3b) connects the drug storage sections 12, 12, . . . containing tablets, and the drug introduction section 1 of the packaging device 2.
5, there is a medicine storage section 12.5 in which no tablets are stored.
12,..., the drive member 14 operates to continuously transport the unaccommodated medicine accommodating section 12, . . . until it passes the medicine introduction section 15 of the packaging device 2. .

Next, the transport device 3a (3b) moves the medicine storage section 12.
12, .
The tablet (A or B) accommodated therein is transferred to the drug introduction section 15.
let it fall.

In response to this, the packaging device 2 sequentially packages the tablets (A or B) introduced into the drug introduction section 15 one by one in the order of introduction.

That is, if the tablet dispensing devices 1.1, . . . and the manual tablet dispensing device 21 are used simultaneously, any tablet dispensing device 1.
The tablets A housed in the pre-spreading cassette 22 and the appropriate tablets B hand-spread in the pre-spreading cassette 22 can be packaged into one package each time, or they can be packaged adjacently and alternately. will be possible.

In this way, the tablet dispensing operation can be performed by the packaging device 2 without taking out the tablets from the tablet dispensing devices 1.1, . . . or the manual tablet dispensing device 21. When the speed is slower than the packaging speed, the packaging time from the start to the end of packaging for the required batch can be shortened, and during the tablet packaging operation, for example, the tablet dispensing device 1.1,... Necessary operations such as replenishing tablets to the tablets and manually distributing tablets to the tablet dispensing device 21 can be performed without any hindrance.

In that case, tablets can be easily replenished into the tablet replenishing port 6 of each tablet ejecting device 1 facing the outside world without removing the tablet ejecting device 1, so that tablets can be easily supplied to the tablet replenishing port 6 facing the outside world. Tablet replenishment work can be performed on the tablet ejection device 1 in parallel with the replenishment operation, and tablet replenishment work can be performed on the tablet ejection device 1 during tablet replenishment operation in parallel with the replenishment operation. This means that it can be executed.

Furthermore, since each tablet ejecting device 1 is detachably attached to the main body of the packaging machine, for example, when replenishing a certain tablet ejecting device 1 when it is running low on tablets, it may be mistaken to use different sized tablets. (i.e., tablets that do not fit the sorting board installed in the ejecting part 5 of the tablet ejecting device 1), remove the tablet ejecting device 1 from the packaging machine body and take out all the tablets inside. Taue,
Predetermined tablets can be resupplied and installed in the packaging machine main body, which makes it easy to eliminate tablet replenishment troubles in each tablet dispensing device 1.
, . . . by removing the extraction portions 5., .
Drive member 8.8 of the packaging machine main body to which 5,... are attached.
... maintenance can also be easily performed.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the accommodating part 4 and the ejecting part 5 of each tablet ejecting device 1 are configured in the shape of a cylinder (cylindrical or rectangular cylinder) having substantially the same diameter, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the volume of the storage portions 4.4, . . . can be formed to any fixed volume, and can also be formed to various different volumes as necessary.

Further, in the above embodiment, each tablet ejecting device 1 is configured to be detachably attached to the packaging machine body, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, any plurality of tablet ejecting devices 1.1 , .
It can also be installed fixedly on the packaging machine body.

Further, in the above embodiment, the transport devices 3a, 3b are divided into a plurality of drug storage sections 12.12, . . . , which are partitioned from each other by partition plates 11.11, . Although the construction is made of an endless belt formed in the above, it is not limited to this. For example, it may be constructed of a similar long belt, and in the case of a long belt, it must be constructed so that it can move in both directions. Also, in the case of an endless belt, it can be configured to be movable not only in one direction but also in both directions.

Further, in the above embodiment, the drug storage portions 12.12, . . .
are formed in one row along the longitudinal direction of the conveying devices 3a, 3b, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the partition plates 11
．． 11, . . . may not be mutually preferred.

Further, in the above embodiment, the drug storage portions 12.12, . . .
An appropriate cover 16 for preventing tablets from falling out is placed on the front side of the packaging device 2 in the transport direction up to the medicine introduction part 15 in a section where the medicine storage parts 12, 12, . . . are oriented in a direction other than upward. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the receivers corresponding to the hoppers 9, 9, . The portion can also be provided with a cover 16.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the tablet dispensing devices 1.1, . . . are divided into four blocks by the hoppers 9.9, . The receiver has two transfer positions 10a and 10b,
Not limited to this, the tablet ejecting device 1.1,...
* can be divided into a required number of blocks, and a required number of transport devices can be provided, and the number of receiving and passing positions can be set according to the number of transport devices.

Further, in the above embodiment, the tablet manual dispensing device 21 is
Although the configuration is as shown in FIG. 7, the present invention is not limited to this, and various types of manual tablet dispensing devices can be used, and the installation position thereof is such that the tablets taken out can be introduced into the packaging device 2. It can be installed in any position as long as it is possible.

Furthermore, although the above embodiments have been described with application to a tablet packaging machine, the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to, for example, an appropriate powder medicine packaging machine that handles powdered medicines, or a suitable liquid medicine packaging machine that handles liquid medicines. It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied, and that various changes and modifications of the above-described embodiments can be made to the present invention.

[Effects of the Invention] Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to carry out the subsequent operation of taking out the tablets without waiting for the operation of dispensing the tablets to be packaged in advance. If the removal speed of tablets is slower than the packaging speed, for example, by processing the required batches in advance of the tablet removal operation, it is possible to shorten the packaging time from the start to the end of dispensing the required batches. By hand-distributing tablets that are not stored in the tablet dispensing device, they can be taken out and packaged in the same way as tablets stored in the tablet dispensing device. No matter what kind of tablets you use, including tablets that are housed in or are not housed in, it has excellent effects such as being extremely easy to handle and packaging into any form. It is something that you have.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a schematic side view, Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the main parts of Figures 1 and 2, Figure 4 is a partially cutaway enlarged view showing the tablet dispensing device, and Figure 5 is the manual tablet dispensing device. An enlarged front view showing
FIG. 6 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1...Tablet removal device 2...Packaging device 3a, 3
b... Conveyance device 4... Accommodation section 5... Removal section
6...Tablet supply lower...Tablet outlet
8... Drive member 9... Hopper 10.
...The distribution is to the devices 10a, 10b...The receiving is at the transfer position 11...The partition plate 12...The medicine storage section 13
...Fixed side plate 14...Drive member 15...
Chemical introduction part 16...Cover 17...Printer 21...Drug manual dispensing device 22...Preliminary dispensing cassette 23...Conveyor 24...Conveyor 25
... Mass 26 ... Motor 27 ... Slide rail 28 ... Two shutters ... Shack lever 30 ... Shutter operating member 31 ... Motor 32 ... Partition plate 33 ... Compartment Chamber 35...Motor 34...Partition plate 36...Partition plate 37...Divided chamber 38...Motor

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a tablet packaging machine equipped with a large number of tablet dispensing devices that accommodate and sequentially take out tablets, and a packaging device that packages the tablets taken out from each of the tablet dispensing devices, the tablets taken out from each of the tablet dispensing devices are A conveying device for transporting the tablets to the packaging device is provided so as to be operated by selecting either the timing of taking out the tablets from each of the tablet taking devices or the timing of packaging by the packaging device, and a manual tablet spreading device is provided. A tablet packaging machine featuring: