JP2021090484A - Drug single-dose-pack conveyance device and dose support device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a user with a proper and single drug single-dose-pack with an effective device configuration by separating a crimp part of adjacent drug single-dose-packs on the basis of a detection result of a region of a bag part of each drug single-dose-pack.SOLUTION: A pack conveyance device 90 includes: first and second conveyance rollers 11a, 11b, 21a, 21b being conveyance means for conveying a pack continuous body 1 obtained by connecting a plurality of drug single-dose-packs 2 each having a bag part 2a covering a drug 3 and a crimp part 4 for preventing the drug from leaking from the bag part in a strip; a CCD camera 27 being area detection means for detecting an area of a plurality of bag parts; information processing means 32 being inspection means for inspecting a drug in a bag on the basis of a detection result of an area of the bag part; and a cutter unit 30 being separation means for separating a portion of the pack continuous body by dividing a crimp part 4 of adjacent drug single-dose-packs in the conveyance direction of the pack continuous body on the basis of the detection result of the area of the bag.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a drug package transport device and a medication support device.

Conventionally, as a medication support device used by a medication person or his / her caregiver, a device having a function of notifying the medication recipient of a drug set in a storage unit in advance for each administration opportunity and providing the drug at a predetermined dosing time has been provided. It is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Among the proposals made so far, as in Patent Document 1, a drug-packed pack containing a drug (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "pack" in the background technology column) is used as a more automated one. In some cases, they were transported in a strip-like state in which they were connected, sent out, cut into individual doses, and then stored.
In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a cut position sensor is provided to cut the pack at an appropriate timing. However, the technology described in the same document does not have a function to detect the state of the pack and inspect it, and even if there is an abnormality such as a missing prescription, a wrong quantity, or a hole in the pack, it is stored as it is, and as a result, it is stored as it is. There was a problem that the wrong drug or bad pack was provided to the user.

On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, a pack (one-packed drug) is photographed, the type and number of drugs are analyzed based on the image of the drug in the sachet, and whether or not the drug is appropriate is determined. Only the technique of printing the dosage information on the sachet is disclosed. However, it cannot be said that the technology described in the same document has been sufficiently automated and labor-saving because the taking person performs the division and sorting of the unsuitable packs.

As described above, if the pack is divided and the inside of the pack is inspected, a detection mechanism for detecting the strip-shaped portion which is the crimping portion and the inside of the pack is required, which increases the size of the device and is an efficient device. It was not a composition.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the invention is to be separated at the crimping portion (leakage prevention portion) of the drug packaging pack based on the detection result of the bag portion region of each drug packaging pack. The purpose of the present invention is to provide users (including medication users or medication supporters) with an appropriate single drug package pack with an efficient device configuration.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a plurality of drug packaging packs each having a bag portion for covering the drug and a leak prevention portion for preventing the drug from leaking from the bag portion are connected in a band shape. The transport means for transporting the pack continuum in the transport direction, the area detection means capable of detecting at least one bag region, and the bag region detection result detected by the region detection means. A part of the pack continuum is separated by dividing the leakage prevention portion in the transport direction of the pack continuum based on the inspection means for inspecting the drug in the bag portion and the detection result of the region of the bag portion. It is in a drug-packed pack transfer device provided with a separating means.

According to the present invention, by separating at the leak prevention part of the drug packaging pack based on the detection result of the area of the bag portion of each drug packaging pack, an appropriate single drug with an efficient device configuration can be used. A packaging pack can be provided to the user.

It is a figure which shows the drug package pack, and the pack continuum used in the pack transfer apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main structure of the pack transfer apparatus of one Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the main part of the pack transfer apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the cutter unit used for the pack transfer apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows various modification of the sorting means. It is a figure explaining the position and the cut timing of cutting a pack. It is a figure explaining the content of pattern recognition of the outer shape of a drug. It is a figure explaining the formula for finding the length to the first cut position, and the formula for finding the length to the next cut position. It is a figure for demonstrating each symbol of the formula (1) and the formula (2) from FIG. It is a figure explaining the method of solving the problem which occurs by the extra length of a pack continuum. (A) is a diagram showing a state in which the drugs inside the bag of the pack are overlapped with each other, and (b) is a diagram showing a state in which the states in which the drugs in the bag (a) are overlapped with each other are eliminated. It is a block diagram of the medication support device provided with the pack transport device of FIG. It is a control block diagram which shows the main control composition of the medication support device of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the operation of the medication support device of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the subprocess of the inspection process of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the whole operation of the medication support device of FIG. FIG. 12 is a plan view of a main part of the medication support device according to another embodiment. It is a perspective view of the main part of the medication support device of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the contact / detachment mechanism provided in each storage part of the medication support device of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the medication support device of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the medication support device of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the subprocess of the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the medication support device of still another embodiment. It is a perspective view of the whole medication support device of FIG. 23. It is a block diagram of the 1'conveyor part used for the medication support device of FIG. 23. It is a block diagram of the mobile unit used for the medication support device of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention including examples will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, each embodiment, etc., components (members, components), etc. having the same function and shape, etc. will be described by giving the same reference numerals after being described once unless there is a risk of confusion. Is omitted.

The basic configuration and operation of the drug-packed pack transport device (hereinafter, also referred to as “pack transport device”) according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a general form of a drug-packed pack and a pack continuum used in the pack transport device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a main control configuration of the pack transfer device according to one embodiment and an overall configuration including a transfer path of the pack continuum, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the pack transfer device of FIG. Is. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cutter unit used in the pack transfer device of FIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the pack continuum 1 used in one embodiment of the present invention including the embodiment described later includes a plurality of drug-packed packs 2 (for two doses in the figure) in a strip shape. Refers to the one in the state of being connected to. The pack continuum 1 is a general form that is usually provided and sold to users at pharmacies and the like, and the required number of doses to the user is cut into a continuous sheet. In one drug package pack 2, the drug 3 such as capsules and tablets is divided into small pieces and packed in a bag, and the bag portion 2a covering the drug 3 and the drug 3 are prevented from leaking from the bag portion 2a. Each has a three-sided crimping portion 4 which is hatched to form a leak-preventing portion. In other words, one drug-packed pack 2 forms a bag portion 2a that encloses the drug 3 and a sealing portion as an example of a leak prevention portion that prevents the drug 3 from leaking from the bag portion 2a. Each has a crimping portion 4 to be formed. One drug package pack 2 is usually a single dose unit for the user.

The drug package pack 2 is formed of, for example, a resin film, and in the example shown in FIG. 1, it has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and three sides are crimped or welded crimping portions 4, and the drug 3 is formed. It is packed in a bag to prevent leakage. The side of the resin film sheet on the bag portion 2a side is usually folded in half, and the drug 3 is sandwiched between them.

The crimping portion 4 has a band-shaped width of about 10 to 15 mm, and has higher rigidity than the transparent or translucent film-shaped bag portion 2a in which the drug 3 can be visually recognized. At the center of the crimping portions 4 and 4 of the drug packaging pack 2 adjacent to each other in the transport direction A in which the plurality of drug packaging packs 2 constituting the pack continuum 1 are continuous from the upstream side to the downstream side, The perforation 5 is provided so that the user can tear it by hand, separate it into one drug package pack 2, separate it, and take one dose. Boundary portions 2b are formed at the crimping portions 4 and 4 of the drug packaging pack 2 adjacent to each other in the transport direction A.
In FIG. 1A, when the pack continuum 1 is transported to the downstream side in the transport direction A by the transport roller as described later, the crimping portion of the drug-packed pack 2 on the downstream side of the pack continuum 1. It is shown that the end of 4 is the tip 2c of the pack continuum 1.

Due to the specifications of the packaging machine that creates the pack continuum, the size of the drug packaging pack 2 on the market is 70 mm, where one side (vertical direction in the figure) is the roll width of the sheet material, as shown in FIG. 1 (b). In most cases, there are four types, 60 mm, 70 mm, 80 mm, and 90 mm, depending on the amount of medicine to be taken on the other side and the convenience of handling. The width of the crimping portion 4 is about 10 mm on the upper side and about 10 to 15 mm on the portion between the two bag portions 2a. That is, the width of the crimping portions 4 on the left and right sides of the single drug packaging pack 2 after being cut into pieces at the perforations 5 is about 5.0 to 7.5 mm, respectively. For example, the size of the bag portion 2a in a single drug package pack 2 having a length and width of 70 mm × 80 mm is about 60 mm in length × 65 to 70 mm in width.

Unless otherwise specified, the plurality of drug-packed packs 2 constituting the pack continuum 1 shown in the following figures are assumed to have the same size in the transport direction A.

The main part of the pack transfer device 90 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The main parts of the pack transfer device 90 are a transfer frame 9, a transfer base 8, a pair of upper and lower first transfer rollers 11a and 11b and second transfer rollers 21a and 21b, first transfer rollers 11a and 11b and a second transfer roller. It is composed of a cutter unit 30 and a mechanism for transmitting a driving force to 21a and 21b.

The transport base 8 is fixed on the transport frame 9 and functions as a transport base for transporting the pack continuum 1.
The first transport rollers 11a and 11b, which are a pair of upper and lower transport rollers for transporting the pack continuum 1, are arranged on the transport path 19 on the upstream side in the transport direction A. The first transport rollers 11a and 11b function as rotary transport members of the first transport means. The first transfer roller 11a is a drive roller, and the first transfer roller 11b is a driven roller. Both ends of the rotating shafts 12 of the first transport rollers 11a and 11b are rotatably supported by bearing support members 68 fixed on the transport frame 9. The first transport roller 11a forms a nip portion with the first transport roller 11b.

The transport frame 9 of the transport path 19 on the upstream side of the transport direction A from the first transport rollers 11a and 11b has a tip detection sensor as a tip detection means for detecting the tip of the drug-packed pack 2 of the pack continuum 1. 26 is arranged and fixed. In the example shown in the figure, the tip detection sensor 26 is a light transmission type sensor provided with a filler member that comes into contact with the drug packaging pack 2, but is not limited to this, and may be a light reflection type sensor or the like.

A bracket 29 to which the CCD camera 27 and the light 28 are attached is fixedly provided on the transport frame 9 of the transport path 19 on the upstream side of the transport direction A from the first transport rollers 11a and 11b and the tip detection sensor 26. ..
The CCD camera 27, together with the light 28 that irradiates the predetermined imaging range (the range in which at least one maximum bag portion can be photographed) indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in the drug-packed pack 2 of the pack continuum 1, is described in the predetermined imaging range. It functions as an image detection means for taking an image of the above and acquiring image information.
Further, the CCD camera 27 can detect the region (position of the region) of at least one bag portion 2a of the plurality of drug packaging packs 2 and can detect the region (position of the region) of at least one bag portion 2a (hereinafter, "bag portion 2a"). It has a function as an area detection means for detecting (referred to as "area"). The CCD camera 27 also has a function as an unnecessary portion detecting means for detecting an unnecessary portion described later in the drug packaging pack 2.

The image information acquired by taking a picture with the CCD camera 27 (including the image information of the area of the bag portion 2a of the plurality of drug packaging packs 2 and the image information of the unnecessary portion of the drug packaging pack 2) , Is transmitted to the information processing means 32.
The information processing means 32 processes the image information acquired by taking a picture with the CCD camera 27, and determines whether or not the drug 3 in the drug packaging pack 2 is appropriate. The information processing means 32 functions as an inspection means for inspecting the drug 3 in the bag portion 2a based on the detection result of the region of the bag portion 2a of the plurality of drug packaging packs 2 detected by the CCD camera 27.
Further, the information processing means 32, together with the CCD camera 27, also has a function as an unnecessary part detecting means for detecting an unnecessary part described later in the drug packaging pack 2.

The determination result of information processing or image processing by the information processing means 32 (including the determination result of whether or not the drug 3 in the drug packaging pack 2 is appropriate based on the detection result of the inspection means) is transmitted to the control means 50. Will be done.
The control means 50 is based on the determination result of information processing or image processing by the information processing means 32 (the detection result of the region of the bag portion 2a of the plurality of drug packaging packs 2 detected by the CCD camera 27). Based on the judgment result of inspecting the drug 3 in 2a), the cutter unit 30 is operated so as to divide the crimping portion 4 of the drug packaging pack 2 adjacent to the transport direction A of the pack continuum 1. It has a control function for separating a part of the pack continuum 1.
Further, the control means 50 functions as an unnecessary portion detecting means for detecting an unnecessary portion of the drug packaging pack 2 when exerting the control function, and based on the detection result, the drug packaging pack 2 has a desired length. It has a control function that controls the cutter unit 30 so as to adjust and separate the cutter unit 30.
Further, the control means 50 has a control function for controlling the operation of the sorting unit 76, which will be described later, based on the determination result of information processing or image processing by the information processing means 32.

The second transport rollers 21a and 21b, which are a pair of upper and lower transport rollers for transporting the pack continuum 1, are arranged on the transport path 19 on the downstream side of the first transport rollers 11a and 11b. The second transport rollers 21a and 21b function as rotary transport members for the second transport means. The second transfer roller 21a is a drive roller, and the second transfer roller 21b is a driven roller. Both ends of the rotating shafts 22 of the second transport rollers 21a and 21b are rotatably supported by bearing support members 69 fixed on the transport frame 9. The second transport roller 21a forms a nip portion with the second transport roller 21b.
At each of the nip portions of the first transport rollers 11a and 11b and the second transport rollers 21a and 21b, the crimping portion 4 of the continuous band-shaped portion of the drug packaging pack 2 adjacent to the transport direction A of the pack continuum 1 The pack continuum 1 is transported while sandwiching the pack.

The mechanism for transmitting the driving force to the first transfer rollers 11a and 11b and the second transfer rollers 21a and 21b is a drive pulley 72 fixed to one end of the rotating shaft 12 of the first transfer roller 11a and a second transfer roller. It is configured to have a driven pulley 73 fixed to one end of a rotating shaft 22 of 21a, and a belt 74 hung between the driving pulley 72 and the driven pulley 73. Further, a transfer motor 75 as a drive source / transfer drive means fixed to the transfer frame 9, a reduction gear 71 fixed to the other end of the rotating shaft 12 of the first transfer roller 11a, and an output shaft of the transfer motor 75. It is configured to have a drive gear 70 which is fixed to and always meshes with the reduction gear 71.
In addition, in FIG. 3, the first transport roller 11b is shown in a state where the drug-packed pack 2 of the pack continuum 1 to be transported is seen through.

The cutter unit 30 is arranged in a transport path 19 between the first transport rollers 11a and 11b and the second transport rollers 21a and 21b. The cutter unit 30 is fixed to the transport frame 9 in a state where the cutter frame 59 constituting the cutter unit 30 penetrates the transport base 8. The cutter frame 59 is formed with an opening 59a through which the pack continuum 1 passes.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cutter unit 30 has an upper moving blade 60 and a lower fixed blade 61 arranged in the cutter frame 59. The moving blade 60 and the fixed blade 61 function as separating means. The fixed blade 61 is fixed to the bottom wall surface in the cutter frame 59. A cutter motor 65 is fixedly provided on the cutter frame 59 above the moving blade 60. A connecting link 62 is rotatably connected to the output shaft of the cutter motor 65. The connecting link 62 is rotatably connected to one end (upper end side in the drawing) of the crank 63 via a connecting pin. One end of the crank 63 is a switch contact portion 63a that can come into contact with a switch lever 66a, which will be described later. The other end of the crank 63 (the lower end side in the drawing) is rotatably connected to the moving blade 60 via a connecting pin. The moving blade 60 is guided by a pair of guide members 64 so as to be movable in the vertical direction indicated by the arrow in the figure. The pair of guide members 64 are fixed to the side wall surface in the cutter frame 59.
A home position (hereinafter abbreviated as “HP”) switch 66 having a switch lever 66a that can move in the vertical direction is fixed at a predetermined position on the upper wall surface in the cutter frame 59.

Here, the detailed operation of the cutter unit 30 will be described. The rotary motion of the cutter motor 65 is converted into a linear motion by the crank 63 connected via the connecting link 62, and the moving blade 60 rotatably supported at the lower end of the crank 63 via the connecting pin is a guide member 64. Move up and down along.
One operation of the cutter unit 30 starts from HP which is the position of the top dead center of the crank 63, and the moving blade 60 which cuts the pack continuum 1 at the bottom dead center reciprocates once and completes. The top dead center of the crank 63 is detected by operating the HP switch 66 when the switch contact portion 63a of the crank 63 pushes the switch lever 66a. The position and timing of cutting the drug package pack will be described in detail with reference to the drawings after FIG. 7 described later.

The cutter unit 30 is not limited to this, and may be of a type in which the rotary blade is raised and lowered by a cutter motor, or the transfer speed between the transfer rollers of the first transfer unit 10 and the second transfer unit 20 may be changed. Alternatively, a method of separating at the perforation 5 of the drug packaging pack 2 by gripping in the opposite direction or another cutting method may be used as needed, in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A of the pack continuum 1. Any means may be used as long as the drug packaging pack 2 can be separated by the crimping portion 4 (boundary portion 2b) existing as a whole.

On the downstream side of the second transport rollers 21a and 21b, a sorting unit 76 as a sorting means for sorting the drug packaged pack 2 divided based on the detection result of the information processing means 32 (inspection means) is arranged. There is.
The sorting unit 76 includes a guide plate 77, which is a flapper-type sorting member, and a sorting motor 78, which is a drive source for swinging the guide plate 77. The guide plate 77 has a first position that occupies a horizontal state indicated by a solid line when the drug packaging pack 2 is determined to be suitable, and a transport direction as shown by a broken line when it is determined to be unsuitable. The upstream end of A is rotatably (movable) to a second position that occupies a retracted state that has been moved (swinged) upward. In the figure of the guide plate 77, the output shaft of the sorting motor 78 as a drive source of the sorting means is directly connected to the swing fulcrum shaft on the right side.

On the right side of the drawing with the sorting unit 76 in between, third transport rollers 34a and 34b for transporting the divided drug package pack 2 which is determined to be suitable for the drug package pack 2 are provided. It is arranged on the transport path 19A.
The third transfer rollers 34a and 34b function as rotary transfer members of the third transfer means. The third transfer roller 34a is a drive roller, and the third transfer roller 34b is a driven roller. Both ends of the rotating shafts of the third transport rollers 34a and 34b are rotatably supported by bearing support members fixed to the transport frame 9. The third transfer roller 34a forms a nip portion with the third transfer roller 34b. A transfer motor 79, which is a drive source, is connected to the third transfer roller 34a via a drive force transmitting means such as a gear.

Each of the above-mentioned transfer motors 75 and 79 includes, for example, a stepping motor that can be rotationally driven in both forward and reverse directions by inputting a drive pulse, and is fixed to the transfer frame 9. The transfer motors 75 and 79 may be DC motors or the like as long as it is not necessary to perform transfer control with as high accuracy as the stepping motor.
The mechanism for transmitting the driving force to the transport roller on the driving side is not limited to the one shown in FIG. 3, and may be, for example, a mechanism using gear meshing or the like.

The guide plate 77 is usually in a horizontal state (first position) when it is determined that the divided drug package pack 2 is suitable, and is arranged on the downstream side of the second transfer rollers 21a and 21b. The drug packaging pack 2 is guided by the third transfer rollers 34a and 34b to the right transfer path 19A. The divided drug package pack 2 transported via the transport path 19A is stored in the appropriate product storage unit 38. The appropriate product storage unit 38 can store a fixed amount of the drug package pack 2 (for example, 14 packs for 2 weeks), and has a role of temporary storage until the operation of providing to the user is performed. ..

On the other hand, in the divided drug package pack 2'determined to be unsuitable, the guide plate 77 swings upward and is in the retracted state (second position), so that the lower unsuitable transport path It is guided to 19B and discharged to the unsuitable product storage unit 39 as an unsuitable product discharge means.

The order of the main operations performed based on the configuration of the pack transfer device 90 described above will be described.
(1) The pack continuum 1 is horizontally conveyed on the transfer base 8 from left to right in the figure by the first transfer rollers 11a and 11b and the second transfer rollers 21a and 21b. At that time, the pack continuum 1 is stopped at a predetermined distance after the tip of the pack continuum 1 is detected by the tip detection sensor 26 so that the bag portion 2a is stopped within the photographing range. With the pack continuum 1 stopped, image information in a predetermined shooting range is acquired by the CCD camera 27 and the light 28 that illuminates the shooting range.
The shooting timing of the CCD camera 27 and the light 28 at this time does not necessarily have to be detected by the tip detection sensor 26. For example, after the user sets the pack continuum 1 at a predetermined position, the pack continuum 1 is transported for a certain distance or for a certain period of time. A method of turning it on later may also be used.

(2) Next, when the pack continuum 1 is conveyed by the first transfer rollers 11a and 11b and the second transfer rollers 21a and 21b for a predetermined distance, the cutter unit 30 packs the pack continuum 1 one by one. Divide into drug package pack 2. The operation of the cutter unit 30 at this time is as described above.

(3) The information processing means 32 processes the image information of the bag portion 2a of the drug packaging pack 2 obtained by the CCD camera 27 and the light 28 of the above (1), and processes the image information of the bag portion 2a of the drug packaging pack 2. It is determined whether or not the drug 3 in the drug 3 is appropriate.

(4) Based on the determination result of the information processing means 32, the actuator of the sorting means is operated to perform the sorting operation. In FIG. 2, the swinging flapper type guide plate 77 is normally in a horizontal state by controlling the sorting motor 78, and the divided proper drug packaging pack 2 is on the right side of the transport path 19A. The guide plate 77 is rotated in the clockwise direction when it is determined that the package pack 2'is an improper product, and the upstream end of the transport direction A is moved upward.

(5) In the normal transport path 19A, the divided proper drug package pack 2 is stored in the proper product storage unit 38.
(6) Since the separated drug package pack 2'of the improper product is in the retracted state in which the upstream end of the guide plate 77 in the transport direction A is moved upward, the lower improper product transport path 19B It is guided to and discharged to the unsuitable product storage unit 39.

A modified example of the sorting means will be described with reference to FIG.
The sorting means shown in FIG. 5A is an example of the flapper type guide plate 77 described with reference to FIG. The guide plate 77 is rotated (moved) by a rotational operation within a predetermined rotation angle range of the sorting motor 78 directly connected to the rotation (rotation) fulcrum shaft of the guide plate 77.

The sorting means shown in FIG. 5B is provided so as to face the suction fan 48 and the transfer base 8, and the suction force of the suction fan 48 causes an unsuitable drug package pack on the transfer base 8 (not shown). ) Is lifted and pulled in from one end to the inside. It is composed of a suction means including a suction duct member 47. The suction duct 47 is provided so that the other end is connected to the unsuitable product storage unit 39, and the unsuitable product package pack (not shown) drawn inside is stored in the unsuitable product storage unit 39 (not shown). It is configured to be. The suction fan 48 and the suction duct member 47 are configured to be reciprocally movable in the vertical direction indicated by the arrows in the figure by an actuator (not shown). The suction means is not limited to the suction fan 48 as long as it is a means for drawing an unsuitable drug-packed pack from the suction duct member 47 into the inside, and an air pump may be used, for example.

The sorting means shown in FIG. 5 (c) is provided in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A of the blower fan 148 and the transport base 8, and transports the unsuitable product on the transport base 8 toward the drug packaging pack 2'. It is composed of a blower means including a blower duct member 147 that blows blown air by a blower fan 148 from a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A on the loading surface of the base 8. By blowing air from the air duct 147, the unsuitable drug packaging pack 2'on the transport base 8 is blown to the side opposite to the side where the air duct 147 is provided with respect to the transport base 8 to store the unsuitable product. It is configured to be housed in a portion 39 (not shown). The blower means is not limited to the blower fan 148 as long as it is a means for blowing blown air from the blower duct member 147, and for example, an air pump may be used.

The sorting means shown in FIG. 5D is configured by using a belt conveyor 149. The belt conveyor 149 has a belt 150 wound between the drive roller 151 and the driven roller 152, and the driven roller 152 can swing together with the belt 150 by an actuator (not shown) around the shaft 153 of the drive roller 151. It is configured. As shown by the solid line, the belt conveyor 149 is conveyed to the right in the figure when it is a normal proper drug package pack (not shown), and when it is an unsuitable drug package pack (not shown). As shown by the broken line, it swings downward to drop the pack into the unsuitable product storage unit 39 and discharge it.

The position and timing of cutting the drug package pack (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “pack”) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In FIG. 6A, the portion surrounded by the rectangular frame of the broken line is a thick one-dot chain line indicating the “shooting range” of the pack continuum 1 photographed by the CCD camera 27 under the irradiation of the light 28 described in FIG. The portion indicated by is represented by the "cut position" to be cut by the cutter unit 30. In addition, in FIGS. 6 (b) to 6 (e), the description of the “photographing range”, the crimping portion 4, and the like is omitted in order to simplify the drawing.
First, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the bag portion 2a of the pack continuum 1 enters the shooting range of the CCD camera 27, the transport is stopped, and at least the bag portion 2a of the first first pack 2-1 is stopped. Capture the image by covering the entire range. Next, the acquired image information is processed. The crimping portion 4 and the bag portion 2a generally have high light transmission of the crimping portion 4, and there is a difference in shade from the bag portion 2a. By discriminating this boundary by image processing, a bag region (hereinafter, referred to as “bag region”) is detected (see FIG. 7 described later).
In addition, the shooting range is not sufficient, or the distance from the tip 2c of the pack continuum 1 to the bag portion 2a of the first pack 2-1 is long, and the result of detecting the bag portion region covers the bag portion 2a. If the result is not reached, an appropriate additional transport (for example, about 30 to 40 mm) is performed to capture an image, and the bag region is detected again.

The outer shape of the drug inside the bag region thus obtained is extracted and the pattern is recognized. In the example shown in FIG. 7, as a result of extracting the outer shape of the drug inside the bag region and recognizing the pattern, it is shown that 3 circular tablets 3A and 2 capsules 3B were counted, for a total of 5 tablets. .. The number of drugs counted is compared with the number of drugs previously input as data to determine the suitability of the pack. In order to inspect the product more accurately, each drug may be collated with the master information, and the suitability may be determined by collating with the information such as size, shape, color, and engraving peculiar to the drug. The inspection of the first pack 2-1 is completed by the procedure up to this point.

Next, the bag is transported over a certain distance (for example, about 60 mm to 90 mm), the second pack 2-2 is photographed in the same procedure, the bag region is detected, and the product is inspected (FIG. 6 (b)). Then, the transport distance to the cut position is calculated based on the detection results of the bag portion regions of the first pack 2-1 and the second pack 2-2, and the crimping portion 4 between the two packs adjacent to each other in the transport direction A. Make sure that the substantially center of is at the cut position (Fig. 6 (c)). The cutter unit 30 is operated to make the first pack 2-1 a single drug pack (FIG. 6 (d)). After that, the n (n is a natural number) th pack 2-n is sequentially separated as a single pack (FIG. 6 (e)).

The cutting position will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8A is a schematic plan view for explaining the formula for obtaining the length to the first cut position, and FIG. 8B is a schematic plan view for explaining the formula for obtaining the length to the next cut position. It is a figure. In FIG. 8, the upper crimping portion 4 is not shown.
The cutting position is determined from the transport speed and the required distance, which set the operation timing of the cutter unit 30 so as to cut at a desired position based on the dimensions of the bag portion obtained by the above image processing.
The length L from the tip 2c of the pack continuum 1 shown in FIG. 8A to the first cut position is calculated by the following formula (1).
L = l + X + (Y × 0.5) ・ ・ ・ Equation (1)

The length L'to the next cut position shown in FIG. 8 (b) is calculated by the following equation (2).
L'= (Y x 0.5) + X'+ (Y'x 0.5) ... Equation (2)
Here, the symbols of the equations (1) and (2) are as shown in FIG.
l (L): From the tip 2c of the first pack 2-1 to the bag part 2a of the same pack 2-1
Length to the right end X: Width of the bag part 2a of the first pack 2-1 Y: Between the bag part 2a of the first pack 2-1 and the bag part 2a of the second pack 2-2 Width of the crimping portion 4 X': Width of the bag portion 2a of the second pack 2-2 Y': The width of the bag portion 2a of the second pack 2-2 and the bag portion 2a of the third pack 2-3 Among
Width of crimping portion 4

Subsequent packs are also cut in sequence in the same manner. In addition, 0.5 was used as the coefficient for cutting at the center of the width of the crimping portion 4, but since it is sufficient if the cutting can be performed within the range of the crimping portion 4, for example, Y × 0.2 to 0 in an arbitrary range. It doesn't matter if it is about 8.8. Further, if the variation in the pack interval is small, the process can be simplified by cutting the third pack 2-3 and subsequent packs using the same L'.
By obtaining the position to be cut from the image information in this way, it is possible to cut at an appropriate position without using an extra sensor or the like and without making a complicated configuration. In addition, since cutting can be performed approximately in the middle of the crimping portion regardless of the position of the perforation or the presence or absence of the perforation, stable cutting can always be performed regardless of the perforation detection error caused by incomplete perforation or the strength of the perforation.

A method for solving the problem caused by the extra length when the distance from the tip of the pack continuum to the bag portion of the first pack is long will be described with reference to FIG.
When the packer (mainly a pharmacist in a pharmacy) removes the pack continuum from the packer, he does not use the nearest perforation of the first pack and has an extra length (eg, the bag of the first pack). The sheet of the pack continuum may be cut by hand at a position (more than about 10 mm away) or separated using a manual cutter provided at the outlet of the packing machine. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 10A, the cut end of the tip 2c of the pack continuum 1 does not stay within the range of the crimping portion 4, and the end portion is irregular and jagged like a saw blade. Often becomes a cut. Then, a transport trouble such as jamming of the first pack 2-1 at the sorting unit 76 shown in FIG. 2 occurs, or a trouble such as bending when stored in the proper product storage unit 38 causes incomplete storage. May cause. In some cases, the outlet of some packaging machines is equipped with an automatic cutter and the ends are arranged, but if the cutting position is far from the perforation and the extra length is large, the above problem also occurs.

Therefore, the length l (L) from the tip 2c of the pack continuum 1 detected by the tip detection sensor 26 to the bag portion region of the first pack 2-1 exceeds a certain length l0 (L zero). If so, the tip 2c is conveyed from the cut position to l−l0 (10 (a), FIG. 10 (b)), and the excess length is cut (FIG. 10 (c)). As described in the explanation of FIG. 1, the width of the crimping portions 4 on the left and right sides of the pack 2 is about 5 to 7.5 mm. Therefore, setting l0 = 5 mm as described above is convenient for avoiding troubles. Good. In addition, since the length can be made the same as that of the second pack 2-2 or later, it is convenient for the user to handle.
For example, if l = 30 mm, the first pack 2-1 of a suitable size can be obtained by operating the cutter unit 30 at a position where the tip 2c exceeds the l−l0 = 25 mm cut position.

As described above, the tip detection sensor 26 and the CCD camera 27, which is the area detecting means according to the present invention, function as an unnecessary part detecting means for detecting an unnecessary part of the drug packaging pack. The cutter unit 30 as the separation means according to the present invention is configured to adjust the drug packaging pack to a desired length and separate it based on the detection results of the tip detection sensor 26 and the CCD camera 27.

A method of eliminating the overlapping state of the chemicals inside the bag portion of the pack will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11A is a plan view showing a state in which the drugs in the bag portion of the pack are overlapped with each other, and FIG. 11B is a plan view showing a state in which the states in which the drugs in the bag portion of FIG. 11A are overlapped are eliminated.
When detecting the state of the drug inside the pack, it is difficult to obtain the necessary information because the drugs overlap each other as shown in FIG. 11 (a) when a large number of drugs are enclosed or the size varies. In some cases.

In such a case, it is convenient to shake the pack 2 of the pack continuum 1 to eliminate the overlap of the agents 3. As a method of shaking, simply, the pack 2 gripped by the transport roller is moved in small steps in the forward and reverse transport directions A and A'as shown by the arrows in the figure, so that the chemicals 3 inside the bag portion 2a overlap. Can be leveled. In order to even out more effectively, the transport base 8 shown in FIG. 3 may be wave-shaped or unevenly shaped to shake the inside while transporting, or a vibrating means may be added to the transport base 8. The leveling means used in conventional drug auditing devices, packaging devices, etc., such as a method of equipping a leveling lever and shaking the pack directly, is also effective.
That is, it is important that the transporting means according to the present invention is provided with the above-mentioned various overlapping drug equalizing means for making the overlapping state of the drugs in the pack uniform. Thereby, the inspection means according to the present invention can be made more accurate.

The medication support device 100 including the pack transfer device 90 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a medication support device including the pack transfer device according to the present invention.
The pack continuum 1 is supplied from the storage unit 6 that stores the pack continuum 1. The storage portion 6 is formed with an opening 7 through which the pack continuum 1 is passed. The storage unit 6 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the thickness of the storage unit wall is omitted for the sake of simplification of the drawing. The pack continuum 1 in the storage unit 6 may be stored in a roll shape as shown in the figure, or may be stored in a bellows shape in a zigzag manner. The pack continuum 1 is sent to the pack transport device 90 according to the present invention installed in the center of the device, and after transport, discrimination, cutting, and sorting, a predetermined number of proper single packs 2 are stored in the proper product storage unit 38. Although the mechanism of the sorting unit is omitted in FIG. 12, the sorting unit 76 is as shown in FIG.

The medication support device 100 has an air pick mechanism 110 that transports and discharges the proper product pack 2 stored in the proper product storage unit 38 to the pack receiving unit 36 that the user receives. The air pick mechanism 110 is provided with air via a pack suction unit 111 that sucks the pack 2 by air suction, a suction duct 112 that communicates with the pack suction unit 111 and expands and contracts, and an air hose (not shown) that communicates with the suction duct 112. It has an air pump 114 (shown only in FIG. 13 described later) as a driving source for suction, and a duct actuator 115 (shown only in FIG. 13 described later) for expanding and contracting the suction duct 112. Further, the air pick mechanism 110 is a rack that linearly moves the pack suction portion 111 and the suction duct 112 in a reciprocating manner via the rails 116 and the rails 116 that are bridged to the left and right in the drawing for moving the pack suction portion 111 and the suction duct 112. It has a moving motor 117 (shown only in FIG. 13 described later) which is a driving source via an and pinion type driving force transmitting means.

When it is time to supply the single pack 2 to the user, the desired pack 2 at the highest level of the proper product storage unit 38 is taken out by the air pick by the air pick mechanism 110 and carried to the pack receiving unit 36. The pack receiving portion 36 is provided with a discharge sensor 37. In this way, the pack 2 can be provided from the proper product storage unit 38 to one or more users, or one package at a time for a plurality of medication opportunities.

The control configuration of the medication support device 100 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the medication support device 100 includes a CPU (central processing unit) that functions as a control means 50 shown in FIG. 2 that controls the operation of each part of the medication support device 100. The CPU has a storage unit 52, a timer unit 56, an image processing unit 32A, a determination unit 53, and a control unit 50A. The CPU issues a notification to the user and an instruction for operating the device at a timing according to the program based on various inputs described later. Prescription information and drug information are input to the storage unit 52 from the outside as external drug information.

A part of the various functions of the information processing means 32 described with reference to FIG. 2 may be shared by the CPU (built-in image processing unit 32A, determination unit 53) which is the control means 50. That is, the image processing unit 32A functions as an inspection means for inspecting the drug 3 in the bag portion 2a based on the detection result of the region of the bag portion 2a of the plurality of drug packaging packs 2 detected by the CCD camera 27. It may be something to do. Further, the image processing unit 32A may have a function of recognizing the above-mentioned unnecessary part of the drug packaging pack 2 detected by the CCD camera 27.

The CPU may have a timer (timekeeping) function in addition to having a calculation and control function. The storage unit 52 includes a ROM (read-only memory), a RAM (memory that can be read and written at any time), an external memory, and the like. A program that can be read by the CPU (for example, a program such as a control flowchart described later), various data, and the like are stored in the ROM in advance. Examples of the above data include the relationship between the appropriate product storage unit 38 divided for each drug recipient and the contents of the drug package pack 2, the data of the appropriate product storage unit 38 divided for each medication timing, and the like.

A touch panel 51 is electrically connected to the input / output port of the CPU as a user interface. On the touch panel 51, the user can input the medication time, the storage unit selection, and the like, and the current time and the next medication timing are displayed. The touch panel 51 is not limited to this, and for example, the input unit and the display unit may be separate and a combination such as a keyboard and an LED display unit may be used.

An discharge switch 54, a CCD camera 27, an HP switch 66, and various sensors (tip detection sensor 26, discharge sensor 37, various HP sensors, etc.) that function as a start switch are electrically connected to the input port of the CPU. There is.
A notification unit 55, a transfer motor 75, a transfer motor 79, a cutter motor 65, a sorting motor 78, an air pump 114, a duct actuator 115, and a moving motor 117 are electrically connected to the output port of the CPU via various drivers 49. It is connected.
The notification unit 55 notifies the state of each of the above devices by sound or vibration including light and voice of an LED or the like. It is equipped with a speaker, a light, and the like for notifying the timing of taking medicine even when the user is away from the device, and is configured so that a single medicine package pack can be taken out by pressing the discharge switch 54.

When the input information from the touch panel 51, the discharge switch 54, the CCD camera 27, and various signals from various sensors are input to the CPU, the CPU outputs the next command signal. That is, from the CPU, the display device of the touch panel 51, the audio device and the optical device of the notification unit 55, the transfer motor 75, the transfer motor 79, the cutter motor 65, the sorting motor 78, the air pump 114, the duct actuator 115, and the moving motor 117. A command signal, which is an instruction for control, is output.
In addition, the CPU has a function of executing a control operation shown in a description, a timing chart, or a control flowchart described later.

Each part reaches the nip of the transfer rollers 11a and 11b in the transfer path 19 of the pack continuum 1 shown in FIG. 2, the nip of the transfer rollers 21a and 21b, and the nip of the transfer rollers 34a and 34b in the appropriate product transfer path 19A. The arrangement position of is predetermined. Further, since the transfer motor 75 and the transfer motor 79 are stepping motors that are driven by the input of drive pulses, respectively, high-precision transfer operation is possible.

The inspection operation and the cut position detection operation according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, in step S1, when it is detected by a detection means (not shown) that the pack continuum 1 is set in the storage unit 6, the next process is started. Necessary when the pack continuum 1 is sent to the pack transport device 90 by the transport / leveling process in step S2, and a large number of chemicals 3 are enclosed in the bag portion 2a of the pack 2, or the size varies. The leveling process is performed according to the above. In this leveling process, the pack 2 gripped by the transport roller is moved in small steps in the forward and reverse transport directions A and A'as described above, or the pack is shaken by a dedicated leveling means to eliminate the overlap of the chemicals 3. To do.

Next, it is determined whether the pack 2 of the pack continuum 1 has been transported to the shooting position, and after transporting until yes (YES), the image of the pack 2 is acquired by the illumination by the light 28 and the shooting process by the CCD camera 27. (Step S3 to Step S4). Based on the acquired image, the area detection process of the bag portion 2a is performed by the method described in the description of FIG. 7, and then the inspection process of the drug 3 in the area is performed (steps S5 to S6). Details of the inspection process will be described with reference to FIG. 15 below.

As described in FIG. 6, since both bag areas are required to detect the cut position between the first pack 2-1 and the second pack 2-2, the second pack 2- It is determined whether the data processing of the bag portion area of No. 2 is completed, and if it is not completed, the process returns to the upstream transport / leveling process (step S2) in order to obtain the data of the bag portion of the second pack 2-2. When the processing of the second pack 2-2 is completed, the process proceeds to the cut position calculation processing (steps S7 to S8). The pack continuum 1 transported by an appropriate transport distance in the cut position calculation process is then cut (step S9). Therefore, the pack continuum 1 is separated into a single pack 2 by the operation of one cycle of the cutter unit 30, and then the sorting process is performed based on the result of the inspection process performed upstream (step S10). In the sorting process, proper products and unsuitable products are sorted, guided to the respective transport routes 19A and 19B, and it is determined whether the required number of products has been stored in the proper product storage unit 38. The process returns to the process (step S2), the process for the next pack is performed, and when the required number of packs have been stored, the process ends.

The sub-process of the inspection process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
When the inspection process is started, as described in FIG. 7, whether or not a drug object having the same shape as the tablet or capsule registered in the storage unit 52 of FIG. 13 is inside the bag region is identified by pattern matching. , The number or type of the identified drug 3 is collated with the data input in advance (steps S15 to S16). A determination process is performed based on the collation result to determine the suitability of the drug 3 in 1 pack 2 (step S17), and the subprocess of the inspection process is completed.

The overall operation of providing a single pack will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in step S20, when the user finishes inputting the medication time, the storage unit, the notification method, etc., the medication support device 100 waits until the medication time arrives, and when the predetermined time is reached, the notification unit 55 waits. It operates and informs the user of the medication time by voice or light (steps S21 to S22).
Then, when the user presses the discharge switch 54, the operation of the notification unit 55 is stopped, then the picking process is performed, and the proper product pack 2 is adsorbed-moved-by the air pick mechanism 110 as described in FIG. The pack 2 is placed on the pack receiving unit 36, and the individual pack 2 is provided. When the single pack 2 is conveyed to the pack receiving unit 36, the discharge sensor 37 provided in the pack receiving unit 36 changes from OFF (OFF) to ON (ON), but the user packs the independent pack 2 into the pack receiving unit. By taking out from 36, the process returns to OFF and the process of providing one time is completed (steps S23 to S25). When this process is completed, the input value can be automatically changed and the next process can be repeated if there is a next reservation.

According to the present invention described so far, a single pack can be separated with a simple configuration, but it is also easy to thin out the separation interval according to the application and separate each of a plurality of packs, for example, two packs or three packs. Needless to say.

As described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of drug packages having a bag portion 2a covering the drug 3 and a crimping portion 4 as a leak prevention portion for preventing the drug from leaking from the bag portion are packaged. At least one bag region can be detected, including the first transport rollers 11a and 11b and the second transport rollers 21a and 21b as transport means for transporting the pack continuum 1 in which the packs 2 are connected in a strip shape in the transport direction A. The CCD camera 27 as an area detecting means, the information processing means 32 as an inspection means for inspecting the drug in the bag based on the detection result of the area of the bag detected by the area detecting means, and the area of the bag. A drug 1 including a cutter unit 30 as a separation means for separating a part of the pack continuum by dividing the crimping portion 4 of the drug-packed pack adjacent to the transport direction A of the pack continuum based on the detection result. It is composed of a packaging pack transfer device 90.

With such a configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention, it is efficient to separate by the crimping portion of the adjacent drug packaging pack based on the detection result of the bag portion region of each drug packaging pack. It has the basic effect of being able to provide the user with an appropriate single drug package pack in the device configuration.

In the above embodiment, the CCD camera 27 is provided as an unnecessary part detecting means for detecting the unnecessary part of the drug-packed pack, and the separating means desires the drug-packed pack based on the detection result of the unnecessary part detecting means. It is composed of a drug-packed pack transfer device 90 that is adjusted to a length and separated.
With such a configuration, according to one embodiment, it is possible to avoid transportation troubles and storage troubles due to the excess tip of the pack continuum, and it is possible to supply a drug-packed pack having uniform quality.

In the above embodiment, the guide plate 77 of the sorting unit 76 as a sorting means for sorting the medicine packaged pack based on the inspection result of the inspection means, and the medicines sorted on the downstream side in the transport direction of the sorting means. A drug that arrives from any one of the appropriate product transport route 19A and the unsuitable product transport route 19B as a plurality of transport routes through which the packaging pack is transported, and is determined to be a suitable product by the inspection means. It is composed of an appropriate product storage unit 38 as a storage means for storing the packaged pack, and a drug packaged pack transport device 90 provided with the appropriate product storage unit 38.
With such a configuration, according to one embodiment, it is possible to obtain a storage means for providing an appropriate drug package pack to users (drug administration supporters) including the user with a simple configuration.

One of the plurality of transport routes is the unsuitable product transport route 19B in which the drug package pack determined to be unsuitable by the inspection means is sorted, and the drug package pack determined to be unsuitable is discharged. It is composed of a drug-packed pack transfer device 90 provided with an unsuitable product storage unit 39 as an unsuitable product discharge means.
With such a configuration, according to one embodiment, it is possible to sort a drug package pack determined to be unsuitable by a simple configuration into a dedicated unsuitable product discharging means / discharging unit.

The transporting means is composed of a drug-packed pack transporting device 90 provided with overlapping drug-uniformizing means for equalizing the overlapping state of the drugs in the drug-packed pack.
With such a configuration, according to one embodiment, the inspection means can be made more accurate.

It is composed of a medication support device 100 including the drug packaged pack transport device 90 according to any one of the above.

With reference to FIGS. 17 to 22, a medication support device according to another embodiment different from that described with reference to FIG. 12 and the like will be described. In this medication support device, a pack continuum in which a plurality of drug package packs are connected in a band shape is stored in a plurality of storage units, and the drug package pack is provided to the user at a predetermined time. ..

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a main part of the medication support device showing another embodiment of the medication support device to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the main part of the medication support device of FIG. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a main part showing a contact / disengagement mechanism between the gear of the first'conveying unit 10'provided in each storage portion of the medication support device of FIG. 17 and the gear on the device main body side, and FIG. It is a block diagram which shows typically the whole including the path of the pack continuum of 17 medication support devices. Note that in FIGS. 17 and 18, the first ′ transport unit 10 ′ (see FIGS. 19 and 20) is omitted in order to simplify the diagram.

As shown in FIGS. 17 to 20, the medication support device 100A is compared with the medication support device 100 shown in FIG. 12, and the first'conveyor rollers 11a'and 11b of the first'conveyor portion 10'of FIG. 20 are shown. A configuration similar to that of the pack transport device 90 shown in FIG. 2 is arranged in place of the portion downstream of the transport direction A (delivery direction). Specifically, the pack transfer device 90A includes a transfer base 8, a CCD camera 27 and a light 28, an information processing means 32, a control means 50, a tip detection sensor 26, a pair of upper and lower first transfer rollers 11a and 11b, and a first. The two transfer rollers 21a and 21b, a cutter unit 30, a sorting unit 76, a transfer path 19, a suitable product transfer path 19A, an unsuitable product transfer path 19B, an unsuitable product storage unit 39, and third transfer rollers 34a and 34b. Further, the medication support device 100A includes a discharge unit 35 having a pack receiving unit 36.
In other words, the medication support device 100A stores a plurality of pack continuums 1 instead of the single storage unit 6 as compared with the medication support device 100 shown in FIG. 12 (4 in FIGS. 17 and 18). The difference is that the storage unit 6, the storage unit switching unit 40, and the first'conveying unit 10'are provided, and the proper product storage unit 38 and the air pick mechanism 110 are removed.
In the medication support device 100A, each part / device is covered with an exterior (not shown), but in each figure, the exterior is shown in a removed state.

In another example of FIGS. 17 to 20, the storage unit 6 includes four storage units 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, and 6-4. When it is necessary to explain the arrangement number of the storage unit, the storage unit 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 is used as a code, and when it is generically referred to, the storage unit 6 is used as a code.

The four storage units 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, and 6-4 store, for example, a pack continuum 1 corresponding to four types of drugs to be taken in the morning, noon, night, and before going to bed. .. The four storage units 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, and 6-4 are installed at predetermined intervals on the turntable 41 of the storage unit switching unit 40.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the storage unit switching unit 40 has a turntable 41 that holds and rotates the four storage parts 6 and a turntable pulley 42 that is fixed to the central portion on the back side of the turntable 41. A turntable motor 45 as a drive source that is arranged near the turntable 41 and can rotate in both forward and reverse directions to rotate the turntable 41, and a motor pulley 44 and a turntable pulley fixed to the output shaft of the turntable motor 45. It has a belt 43 hung between the 42 and the belt 43. The turntable motor 45 constitutes a rotary drive unit that rotationally drives the turntable 41.
The rotary table motor 45 is composed of, for example, a stepping motor that can be rotationally driven by inputting a drive pulse, and is fixed to an immovable member on the device main body side.

The storage unit switching unit 40 serves as a switching means for switching which of the pack continuums 1 stored in the plurality of storage units 6 is cut by relatively moving the plurality of storage units 6 and the cutter unit 30. And functions as a storage unit holding means or a holding unit for holding a plurality of storage units 6. In this example, the storage unit switching unit 40 functions as a first moving means for moving the plurality of storage units 6, and more specifically, the plurality of storage units 6 are integrally rotated.

The turntable 41 rotates by transmitting the driving force from the turntable motor 45 by the motor pulley 44, the belt 43, and the turntable pulley 42 as drive transmission members. Then, the rotation direction of the turntable 41 can be changed by the forward / reverse drive operation of the turntable motor 45.
By having the plurality of storage units 6, it is possible to store the pack continuum 1 having different types of drug-packed packs 2. For example, as described above, it can be provided in a daily cycle corresponding to different drug package packs 2 provided in a day such as morning, noon, night, and before going to bed.

Each storage unit 6 is not limited to being held and fixed to the turntable 41, and can be detachably configured with respect to the turntable 41. In this case, each storage unit 6 should be called a so-called cartridge. The details of the attachment / detachment will be omitted because they are beyond the scope of the present invention, but each storage unit can be removed from the turntable so that the pack continuum can be easily replenished or replaced.

The turntable 41 uses a turntable home position sensor (hereinafter, abbreviated as “turntable HP sensor”) for detecting its own home position to move the target storage unit 6 in the pack continuum 1. It is controlled so that it can be stopped at a predetermined position where the drug package pack 2 can be provided. Since each of the four types of pack continuums 1 is stored in each storage unit 6, the turntable 41 rotates so that the drug package pack 2 can be provided to the person taking the drug according to each medication timing. The target storage unit 6 of the four types of pack continuum 1 can be moved to a predetermined position.

In FIG. 18, the turntable HP sensor may be provided at four locations corresponding to each storage unit 6, or may be provided with another control method, for example, only one location, and is stopped at each stop position by a stepping motor. You may use a method of controlling the rotation. Further, unlike FIG. 18, it is not always a combination of 90 degrees and four storage portions, but a form corresponding to another number may be used.

In FIG. 17, of the four types of pack continuum 1, for example, the storage unit 6-1 storing the pack continuum 1 to be taken in the morning is rotated and moved to a position facing the cut position of the cutter unit 30. Is shown.

In the storage unit switching unit 40, the driving force from the turntable motor 45 is transmitted by the motor pulley 44, the belt 43, and the turntable pulley 42, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the transmission may be performed by gears, or the turntable pulley 42 may be removed and the motor may be directly connected to the rotating shaft of the turntable 41 to directly transmit the driving force of the motor.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the first'conveyor portion 10'is composed of a pair of rotary transport members, the first'conveyor roller 11a'on the drive side and the first'conveyor roller 11b' on the driven side. Become. The 1'conveying unit 10'functions as the 1'conveying means provided in each of the storage units 6. The first'conveying unit 10'conveys the tip end portion of the pack continuum 1 through the opening 7 of each storage unit 6 from the inside to the outside of the storage unit 6 or from the outside to the inside. It functions as the first'transporting means.

The first'conveying rollers 11a'and 11b' are rotatably supported by the wall portion of the storage portion 6 via a rotation shaft, respectively. The driving force transmission mechanism for transmitting the driving force to the first'conveying unit 10'is a storage unit side driving force transmission mechanism provided on the storage unit 6 side and a device main body side driving force transmission mechanism provided on the device main body side. It consists of. The storage unit-side driving force transmission mechanism provided on the storage unit 6 side includes a rotating shaft 12 fixed to the first'conveying roller 11a'and a driven bevel gear fixed to one end of the rotating shaft 12. The bevel gear 13 is, the bevel gear 14 on the drive side that meshes with the bevel gear 13, the rotatable shaft 15 whose one end is fixed to the bevel gear 14, and the driven gear fixed to the other end of the shaft 15. It has 16.

The drive force transmission mechanism on the device body side provided on the device body side includes a drive gear 17 provided on the device body side that meshes with the driven gear 16 and a single drive gear 17 as a drive source fixed to the output shaft. It has the first transfer motor 18 of the above. In other words, the driven gear 16 which is at least a part of the drive transmitting means for transmitting the drive to the first'conveying unit 10'contains the driving source (first transport motor 18) provided on the device main body side. It is configured so that it can be brought into contact with and separated from the gear 17 which is a side drive transmission member. The first transfer motor 18 includes, for example, a stepping motor that can be driven to rotate (that is, rotate) in both forward and reverse directions by inputting a drive pulse, and is fixed to the main body of the apparatus.

The pair of bevel gears 13, 14, the shaft 15, the driven gear 16, and the drive gear 17 function as drive transmission means and drive transmission members that transmit the drive force to the first'conveyor roller 11a'via the rotating shaft 12. The shaft 15 is rotatably supported by bearings. The rotating shaft 12 and the bevel gear 13 are fixed to the storage portion 6, and the bevel gear 14, the shaft 15, and the driven gear 16 are fixed to the turntable 41.
The bevel gear 14, the shaft 15, and the driven gear 16 may be fixed so as to be supported by the outer wall portion of the storage portion 6.

The pair of first'conveying rollers 11a'and 11b' also function as holding members for holding the tip of the pack continuum 1. That is, with respect to the tip of the pack continuum 1 stored in advance in the plurality of (4) storage units 6, the first'conveying roller 11a is usually at a pharmacy or by a user (medication person or medication supporter). A set holding operation is performed in which the tip of the crimping portion 4 of the pack continuum 1 is sandwiched and held by the'and the first'conveying roller 11b'.
The first'conveying rollers 11a'and 11b' have both a function of contacting and conveying the crimping portion 4 which is one end in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the pack continuum 1 and a function as the holding member.

When the turntable 41 stops each storage unit 6 at a predetermined position, the gear 17 provided in the first transfer motor 18 and the gear 16 of the storage unit 6 stopped at the predetermined position are connected to each other, and the first transfer motor 18 is connected. The driving force of is transmitted. Specifically, when the pack continuum 1 is discharged from the storage unit 6-1 provided on the turntable 41, the turntable 41 is rotated and the gear 17 of the first conveyor motor 18 on the apparatus main body side is rotated. And the driven gear 16 on the storage unit 6-1 side are connected. After that, at the next medication timing, the turntable 41 is rotated to connect the driven gear 16 on the storage unit 6-2 side and the gear 17 of the first transport motor 18 on the device main body side. Similarly, at the time of the next medication timing, the turntable 41 is rotated to connect the driven gear 16 on the storage unit 6-3 side and the gear 17 of the first transport motor 18 on the device main body side, and further the next medication timing. At this time, the turntable 41 is rotated to connect the driven gear 16 on the storage portion 6-4 side and the gear 17 of the first transport motor 18 on the device main body side.

As described above, the first'conveying unit 10'can convey the tip end portion of the pack continuum 1 stored inside the storage unit 6 to the outside of the storage unit 6 and discharge it. Then, when the user gives an instruction to discharge the drug packaging pack 2, for example, when the first transfer motor 18 rotates in the normal direction, the first'convey rollers 11a'and 11b' are moved via the above-mentioned drive transmission members. The pack continuum 1 that rotates forward and is stored inside the storage unit 6 is sent out and transported from the opening 7 to the outside of the storage unit 6.
By switching the rotation direction of the first transfer motor 18 to, for example, the reverse direction, the extra pack continuum 1 can be returned to the inside of the storage unit 6 and stored without any problem by the next transfer.

The discharge unit 35 having the pack receiving unit 36 functions as a discharge means for receiving the pack 2 of one appropriate product. The pack receiving unit 36 communicates with a pack taking-out port provided on the exterior (not shown) for the user to take out one discharged drug-packed pack 2.

With reference to FIG. 20, the transport path from the storage portion to the discharge portion of the pack continuum and the main operations will be described.
The drug-packed pack 2 of the pack continuum 1 set by being sandwiched between the nips of the first'conveying rollers 11a'and 11b' of the first'conveying unit 10'is inside the storage unit 6 by the initial operation. It is conveyed to the detection position of the pack detection sensor (not shown) as the pack detection means, and the tip of the pack continuum 1 is held in the standby position protruding from the nip by a predetermined amount from the detected information. As the pack detection sensor, a sensor having the same configuration as the tip detection sensor 26 may be used. The pack detection sensor is arranged at a position near the downstream side of the transport direction A from the nip of the first'conveyor rollers 11a'and 11b', and when the storage unit 6 is moved to the take-out position, the first' It may be provided at a position where the tip of the pack continuum 1 protruding from the nips of the transport rollers 11a'and 11b' can be detected. The “removal position” of the storage unit 6 is a position where the turntable 41 has been rotated and moved to a predetermined position so that the drug packaging pack 2 to be taken is provided from the storage unit 6 containing the pack continuum 1. Is.
The detection method of the pack continuum 1 by the pack detection sensor may be performed by image processing using, for example, a CCD sensor, or various transmissions having a reflection sensor or a receiving unit (not shown) installed at an opposite position. A formula sensor may be used. Further, the installation position is not limited to the above-mentioned position, and may be arranged inside or behind the cutter unit 30 or in the storage unit 6 as needed.

When instructed to provide one dose of the drug package pack, the first'conveying rollers 11a'and 11b' of the first'conveying unit 10'rotate to be supplied from the storage unit 6. The pack continuum 1 is transported by a predetermined length, that is, to a position where it is sandwiched between the first transport rollers 11a and 11b inside the pack transport device 90A. After the tip of the pack continuum 1 has passed through the cutter unit 30, it enters the second transfer rollers 21a and 21b, and the pack continuum 1 together with the first'conveyor rollers 11a'and 11b', the first transfer rollers 11a and 11b. And the second transfer rollers 21a and 21b, the transfer is performed horizontally on the transfer base 8 from the left side to the right side in the figure. At that time, the pack continuum 1 is stopped at a predetermined distance after the tip of the pack continuum 1 is detected by the tip detection sensor 26 so that the bag portion 2a is stopped within the photographing range. With the pack continuum 1 stopped, image information in a predetermined shooting range is acquired by the CCD camera 27 and the light 28 that illuminates the shooting range. Subsequent operations of the pack transfer device 90A are performed in (2) to (6), which are the same operation sequences as those of the pack transfer device 90 described with reference to FIG.
However, in the pack transfer device 90A, the drug package pack 2 on the storage unit 6 side divided into the drug package pack 2 for each package by the cutter unit 30 is the first of the first'transport unit 10'. It is retracted by a predetermined amount by the'conveying rollers 11a'and 11b', and the new tip after cutting is held in the above-mentioned standby position.

The basic operations are the transport and discharge operations of the pack continuum / drug package pack described above, but the unique operation of this example is the position adjustment of the drug package pack including the initial operation as appropriate at a timing independent of that. To do. For example, even if the drug package pack deviates from the predetermined standby position due to vibration during rotation drive or rotation stop, the amount of the deviation is detected by the pack detection sensor by performing the initial operation after that, and the first' By performing forward / reverse rotation with the first transfer motor 18 of the transfer unit 10', the position of the drug packaging pack can be returned to the desired position, that is, the predetermined position of the storage unit. The predetermined position of the drug package pack in the storage unit is also the predetermined standby position of the drug package pack described above.

The operation flow for providing a single drug package pack by the medication support device 100A will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 21. FIG. 21 is a flowchart of an operation of providing a single drug package pack by a medication support device, FIG. 22 (a) is a flowchart of an operation of a storage unit movement process which is a subprocess of FIG. 21, and FIG. 22 (b) is. It is a flowchart of the operation of the movement process to the standby position of the pack continuum which is a subprocess of FIG.
In step S31 of FIG. 21, the medication user or the medication supporter (hereinafter, represented by the “user”) who is the user inputs the medication time, the storage unit selection, and the like. Since four storage units 6 used in the medication support device 100A are set as described above, for example, the pack continuum 1 to be administered in the morning is stored in the storage unit 6-1 (storage unit No.). In that case, the medication time (time) in the morning is set, and the medication time (time) is set in the daytime, nighttime, and before going to bed. Set according to. The medication time is set by using the input unit of the touch panel 51 similar to that shown in FIG. In addition to inputting and setting the medication time corresponding to, the storage unit No. is displayed on the display unit. Make sure that the medication time corresponding to the above is correct.

After inputting the medication time, the storage unit selection, etc., the medication support device 100A waits until the medication time arrives, and when the prescribed time is reached, the same notification unit 55 as shown in FIG. 13 is activated by voice or light. Notify the user of the medication time (steps S32 to S33). Then, when the user presses the discharge switch 54 similar to that shown in FIG. 13, the operation of the notification unit 55 is stopped, and then the pack continuum, which is the drug package pack 2 to be taken, is performed by the "storage unit movement process". The turntable 41 rotates and moves to a predetermined position as provided by the storage unit 6 containing the 1 (steps S34 to S35).
In addition, in step S34, when the discharge switch 54 was not pressed and the predetermined time passed from the notification of the time of taking the medicine, it was determined by the control means (not shown) that the medicine was not taken, and it was determined that the medicine was not taken. It is recorded in the storage unit 52 similar to that shown in the above, and the notification unit 55 is activated again.
As an example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 22A, the sub-process of the "retractor movement process" drives the turntable motor 45 until the turntable HP sensor 46 that detects the reference position of the turntable 41 is turned on. (Steps S51 to S52). In other words, based on the signal from the turntable HP sensor 46 until the target storage unit in which the pack continuum 1 corresponding to the time of taking the medicine occupies the take-out position that can be supplied to the pack transfer device 90A. The rotary table motor 45 of the holding unit 40 is driven to rotate and move.

After the "storage unit moving process", the process proceeds to step S36, and the moving process of the pack continuum 1 to the standby position is performed. This subprocess is shown in FIG. 22 (b). In this flowchart, the first'conveying unit 10'provided in each storage unit 6 is driven so that the pack continuum 1 is transported to a predetermined standby position by the feedback from the pack detection sensor. (Step S54 to Step S55).
After the operation of FIG. 22B, the pack continuum 1 is conveyed in the conveying direction A by the first'conveying rollers 11a'and 11b'of the first'conveying unit 10', and the description will be given with reference to FIG. By the same operation, the pack continuum 1 is transferred from the left side to the right side in the figure by the transfer of the first transfer rollers 11a and 11b and the second transfer rollers 21a and 21b together with the first transfer rollers 11a and 11b'. It is transported horizontally on the transport base 8. After that, the operations are performed in the same order (S2 to S11) as the pack transfer device 90 described with reference to FIG. That is, in the pack transfer device 90A, the transfer / leveling process (step S37) to the photographing process (step 39) to the bag area detection process (step S40) to the inspection process (step S41) to the cut position calculation process (step S43). ) -Cut process (step S44) -Sorting process (step S44) is performed. In the sorting process, proper products and unsuitable products are sorted and guided to the respective transport paths 19A and 19B, and in the case of the proper product pack 2, the third transport rollers 34a and 34b are transported to the pack receiving portion 36 of the discharge unit 35. Is discharged and placed, and the operation of providing a single pack 2 is performed. When the single pack 2 is conveyed to the pack receiving unit 36, the discharge sensor 37 provided in the pack receiving unit 36 changes from OFF (OFF) to ON (ON), but the user packs the independent pack 2 into the pack receiving unit. By taking out from 36, the process returns to OFF and the process of providing one time is completed (step S46). When this process is completed, the input value can be automatically changed and the next process can be repeated if there is a next reservation.

As described above, the pack transfer device 90A shown in FIG. 20 has a characteristic configuration similar to that of the pack transfer device 90 shown in FIG.
With this configuration, according to the pack transfer device 90A, an efficient device configuration is achieved by separating the adjacent drug packaged packs at the crimping portion based on the detection result of the bag portion area of each drug packaged pack. It has the basic effect of being able to provide the user with an appropriate single drug package pack. Further, according to the pack transport device 90A shown in FIG. 20, each of the above-described configurations similar to the pack transport device 90 shown in FIG. 2 also achieves the same effects as described above.

According to the medication support device 100A shown in FIG. 20, the following effects are also obtained by the configuration including the plurality of storage units 6, the storage unit switching unit 40, and the first'transport unit 10'. In the medication support device that provides the drug package pack, the drug package pack can be reliably transported.

Further, the gear 16 of the first'conveying unit 10'of each storage unit 6 and the gear 17 on the device main body side can be brought into contact with each other in accordance with the medication timing, so that the first transport motor 18 which is a drive source And, with a simple configuration in which the number of gears 17 installed is single, the drive source of the first'conveying unit 10'can be shared. Even in a state in which the structure is significantly simplified in this way, the pack continuum 1 can be sent out and conveyed from each storage unit 6.

In addition, the user can obtain the drug package pack without any trouble when taking the drug. In addition, the pack continuum received from the pharmacy can be easily set in the device. In addition, since there are a plurality of storage units, it is possible to set a drug package pack for each time zone. Further, since the storage portion switching portion is provided, it is possible to provide the user with a drug package pack for each medication time without enlarging the device structure.

Further, by providing the holding unit 40 which is also a storage unit switching unit, a plurality of storage units 6 are arranged in a circle on the turntable 41 and rotated to reduce the overall size and reduce the size. And each storage unit 6 can be switched. When a plurality of storage units 6 are arranged in a row, a save space must be provided for switching, so that the size cannot be reduced.
Further, since the plurality of storage units 6 can be switched to the cut position of the cutter unit 30, the cutter unit 30 and the second transport unit 20 can be used in common, so that even in a simplified structure, each storage unit 6 can be used. The pack continuum 1 can be sent out and reliably transported. As described in the above example, it can be seen that the rotation timing of the turntable 41 can be arbitrarily set.

A medication support device according to another embodiment from FIGS. 17 and 20 to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 to 26. FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a main part of the medication support device of another embodiment from FIGS. 17 and 20, and FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the entire medication support device of FIG. 23. FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram of a main part showing the structure of the first'transport part used in the medication support device of FIG. 23. FIG. 26 is a block diagram of a mobile unit used in the medication support device of FIGS. 23 to 24.
The medication support device 100B shown in FIGS. 23, 24, and 26 has a larger number of storage units 6-1 to 6-8 than the medication support device 100A as compared with the medication support device 100A shown in FIGS. 17 and 20. The moving unit 80B shown by the broken line (dotted line) in FIGS. 23 and 24, and the second moving means, instead of the holding portion 40, which is also the storage portion switching portion, and the points arranged in the upper and lower stages in a matrix on the device main body side. The main difference is that the X slider portion 81 and the Y slider portion 91 are newly provided.

The X slider unit 81 and the Y slider unit 91 relatively move the plurality of storage units 6 and the cutter unit 30 to switch which of the pack continuums 1 stored in the plurality of storage units 6 is to be cut. It has a function as a switching means. The X slider portion 81 and the Y slider portion 91 function as at least a second moving means for moving the cutter unit 30.

The medication support device 100B includes a moving unit 80B having the same configuration as the pack transport device 90A shown in FIGS. 17 and 20, and a plurality of storage units in which the moving unit 80B is arranged in a matrix on the device main body side. It has an X slider portion 81 and a Y slider portion 91 for moving to any one of 6-1 to 6-8.
The moving unit 80B is integrally attached to the unit frame 89 shown by the broken line in FIG. 23. Inside the moving unit 80B, the same configuration as that of the pack transfer device 90A shown in FIGS. 17 and 20 is arranged. Specifically, the pack transfer device 90B inside the mobile unit 80B includes a transfer base 8, a CCD camera 27 and a light 28, an information processing means 32, a control means 50, a tip detection sensor 26, and a pair of upper and lower first transfer rollers. 11a, 11b and second transfer rollers 21a, 21b, cutter unit 30, sorting section 76, transfer path 19, suitable product transfer path 19A, unsuitable product transfer path 19B, unsuitable product storage unit 39, third transfer rollers 34a, 34b. It is configured.

As shown in FIG. 24, the medication support device 100B includes a plurality of storage units 6-1 to 6-8, a first'conveying unit 10A'provided in each storage unit 6-1 to 6-8, and a moving unit 80B. , Has an exterior 97 that covers substantially the entire X-slider portion 81 and Y-slider portion 91. The exterior 97 has a discharge port 98 for discharging a single drug package pack 2 which is cut and separated by a cutter unit 30 provided in the moving unit 80B and transported by the third transport rollers 34a and 34b. It is exposed and placed in a predetermined position. The discharge port 98 is provided with a pack take-out port 99 for taking out the discharged drug-packed pack 2.
In FIGS. 23 and 24, the configurations of the respective storage units 6-1 to 6-8 are the same, and the reference numerals of the first'conveyor units 10A' provided in the respective storage units 6-1 to 6-8 are It is attached only to the storage unit 6-1 for the sake of simplification of the figure. Although the internal components covered with the exterior 97 cannot be seen, they are intentionally shown in a translucent state in FIG. 24.

The X slider unit 81 has a slide mechanism for moving the moving unit 80B in the X direction, which is the left-right direction (arrangement direction of the storage units 6 adjacent to each other in the lateral direction) in the drawing. The X slider portion 81 serves as a drive source in which a belt 85 spanned between a pair of rollers 83 and 84, a slide shaft 82 fixed to the belt 85, and a roller 84 on the drive side are attached to an output shaft. It has a motor 86. The motor 86 is a motor that can rotate in both forward and reverse directions.
A pair of rollers 83, 84 are rotatably supported on the device main body side. The slide shaft 82 extends in the Y direction, one end thereof is fixed to the belt 85, and the other end side is slidably attached to the unit frame 89 in the Y direction.
Since the slide shaft 82 moves in the X direction (or the direction opposite to the X direction) via the belt 85 by the rotation of the motor 86, the moving unit 80B attached to the unit frame 89 moves in the X direction (or the direction opposite to the X direction). ).

The Y slider unit 91 has a slide mechanism for moving the moving unit 80B in the Y direction, which is the vertical direction (arrangement direction of the storage units 6 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction) in the drawing. The Y slider portion 91 serves as a drive source in which a belt 95 spanned between a pair of rollers 93 and 94, a slide shaft 92 fixed to the belt 95, and a roller 94 on the drive side are attached to an output shaft. It has a motor 96. The motor 96 is a motor that can rotate in both forward and reverse directions.
The pair of rollers 93 and 94 are rotatably supported on the device main body side. The slide shaft 92 extends in the X direction in the drawing, one end thereof is fixed to the belt 95, and the other end side is slidably attached to the unit frame 89 in the X direction.
Since the slide shaft 92 moves in the Y direction (or the direction opposite to the Y direction) via the belt 95 due to the rotation of the motor 96, the moving unit 80B attached to the unit frame 89 moves in the Y direction (or the direction opposite to the Y direction). ).

Each of the storage units 6-1 to 6-8 is shown in FIG. 24 as compared with the storage units 6-1 to 6-4 held on the turntable 41 of the medication support device 100A shown in FIGS. 17 and 20. As described above, the difference is that they are installed and fixed on the device main body side that functions as a holding means. Further, as shown in FIG. 25, the first'transport unit 10A'corresponds to each of the storage units 6-1 to 6-8 as compared with the first'transport unit 10'of the medication support device 100A. The difference is that the first transport motor 58 having a drive gear 57 that always meshes with the driven gear 16 is used in the output shaft. The first transfer motor 58 is provided corresponding to each of the storage portions 6-1 to 6-8, and is installed and fixed on the apparatus main body side.

Based on the configuration of the pack transfer device 90B described above, the order of the main operations performed by the medication support device 100B will be described.
(1) When a discharge switch (start switch) (not shown) provided in the medication support device 100B is pressed, the X slider portion 81 and the Y slider portion 91 are driven in the same manner as shown in FIG. 23, for example. , The moving unit 80B moves to the target storage unit 6-1 in which the target pack continuum 1 is stored.
Next, the first'conveying unit 10A'that holds the tip of the pack continuum 1 stored in the target storage unit 6-1 with the nips of the first'conveying rollers 11a'and 11b' is driven. Then, the pack continuum 1 is sent out from the target storage unit 6-1. The pack continuum 1 is transferred from the left to the right on the transfer base 8 in FIG. 26 by the transfer of the first transfer rollers 11a and 11b and the second transfer rollers 21a and 21b together with the first transfer rollers 11a and 11b'. Is transported horizontally. At that time, the pack continuum 1 is stopped at a predetermined distance after the tip of the pack continuum 1 is detected by the tip detection sensor 26 so that the bag portion 2a is stopped within the photographing range. With the pack continuum 1 stopped, image information in a predetermined shooting range is acquired by the CCD camera 27 and the light 28 that illuminates the shooting range.

(2) Next, when the pack continuum 1 is transported by the first transport rollers 11a and 11b and the second transport rollers 21a and 21b together with the first transport rollers 11a and 11b'by a predetermined distance, the cutter unit 30 The pack continuum 1 is divided into drug-packed packs 2 one by one. The operation of the cutter unit 30 at this time is as described above. The remaining pack continuum 1 is conveyed in the direction of returning to the storage unit 6 side by rotating the first'conveying unit 10A'in the opposite direction by a predetermined amount, and the tip of the remaining pack continuum 1 is the pack detection sensor. When detected by, the first'conveying unit 10A'stops.

Subsequent operations of the pack transfer device 90B are performed in (3) to (6), which are the same operation sequences as those of the pack transfer device 90 described with reference to FIG. However, in the operation (5) of the pack transport device 90B, in the normal transport path 19A, the properly divided drug-packed pack 2 is fed to the pack take-out port 99 by transporting the third transport rollers 34a and 34b. Be done.

As described above, the pack transfer device 90B included in the moving unit 80B shown in FIG. 26 has a configuration having the same characteristic configuration as that of the pack transfer device 90 shown in FIG.
With this configuration, according to the pack transfer device 90B, an efficient device configuration is achieved by separating the adjacent drug packaged packs at the crimping portion based on the detection result of the bag portion area of each drug packaged pack. It has the basic effect of being able to provide the user with an appropriate single drug package pack. Further, according to the pack transfer device 90B shown in FIG. 26, various effects other than the above-mentioned basic effects are exhibited by the above-mentioned configurations similar to those of the pack transfer device 90 shown in FIG.

The medication support device 100B is not limited to this, and the plurality of storage units 6 themselves may move in a matrix in the X direction and / or the Y direction.
Alternatively, a method in which the moving unit 80B is attached to the robot arm and freely moved in the X direction and / or the Y direction may be used.
Further, the medication support device 100B is not limited to this, and a first transport motor 58 having a drive gear 57 on the output shaft is provided on the moving unit 80B side, and the moving unit 80B is moved by the X slider portion 81 and the Y slider portion 91. When stopped at a position facing the target storage unit 6, the drive gear 57 may be configured to mesh with the driven gear 16 of the first'conveying unit 10A'provided in the target storage unit 6. With this configuration, the drive gear 57 and the first transfer motor 58 provided on the moving unit 80B side need be single, so that the drive source of the first'conveyor unit 10A'is similar to the medication support device 100A. Can be standardized. Even in a state in which the structure is significantly simplified in this way, the pack continuum 1 can be sent out and conveyed from each storage unit 6.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment, and unless otherwise specified in the above description, the present invention described in the claims. Various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the above. For example, the technical items described in the above-described embodiments and examples may be appropriately combined.

The effects appropriately described in the embodiments of the present invention merely list the most preferable effects arising from the present invention, and the effects according to the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. It's not a thing.

1 pack continuum 2 drug package pack 2a bag part 2c tip part 3 drug 4 crimping part (an example of leak prevention part)
5 Perforations 6 Storage unit 10 1st transport unit (transport means)
11a, 11b First transport roller (example of transport means)
19 Transport route 19A Suitable product transport route 19B Unsuitable product transport route 20 Second transport section (transport means)
21a, 21b Second transport roller (example of transport means)
26 Tip detection sensor 27 CCD camera (an example of image detection means, area detection means, example of unnecessary part detection means)
28 lights (composed of image detection means)
30 Cutter unit (an example of separation means)
32 Information processing means (an example of inspection means)
32A image processing unit (an example of inspection means)
35 Discharge unit 36 Pack receiving unit 37 Discharge sensor 38 Appropriate product storage unit (example of storage means)
39 Inappropriate product storage unit (an example of improper product discharge means)
50 Control means 50A Control unit 53 Judgment unit (an example of inspection means)
54 Discharge switch 65 Cutter motor 75 Conveyor motor 76 Sorting unit 77 Guide plate (an example of sorting means)
78 Sorting motor 80B Mobile unit 90, 90A, 90B Drug package pack transport device 100, 100A, 100B Medication support device A Transport direction of pack continuum

Japanese Patent No. 6462947 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-221134

Claims (7)

A transporting means for transporting a pack continuum in which a plurality of drug-packed packs each having a bag portion for covering the drug and a leak prevention portion for preventing the drug from leaking from the bag portion are transported in a band shape. ,
An area detecting means capable of detecting at least one area of the bag portion, and
An inspection means for inspecting the drug in the bag based on the detection result of the area of the bag detected by the area detection means, and an inspection means for inspecting the drug in the bag.
A separation means for separating a part of the pack continuum by dividing the leak prevention portion in the transport direction of the pack continuum based on the detection result of the region of the bag portion.
A drug-packed pack transfer device equipped with. It is provided with an unnecessary part detecting means for detecting an unnecessary part of the drug package pack.
The drug-packed pack transport device according to claim 1, wherein the separating means adjusts the drug-packed pack to a predetermined length and separates the drug-packed pack based on the detection result of the unnecessary portion detecting means. .. A sorting means that sorts the drug package pack based on the inspection result of the inspection means, and a sorting means.
A plurality of transport paths for transporting the sorted drug-packed packs provided on the downstream side of the sorting means in the transport direction, and
A storage means that is connected to any one of the plurality of transport paths and stores the drug packaging pack that is determined to be suitable by the inspection means.
The drug-packed pack transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device is provided with. One of the plurality of transport routes is an unsuitable product transport route in which the drug package pack determined to be unsuitable by the inspection means is sorted.
The drug-packed pack transport device according to claim 3, further comprising an unsuitable product discharging means for discharging the drug-packed pack determined to be the unsuitable product. The drug packaged pack transport according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a duplicated drug homogenizing means for equalizing the overlapping state of the drugs in the drug packaged pack. apparatus. The drug-packed pack transport device according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of the transport means are provided in the transport direction, and at least one of the transport means is the duplicate drug homogenizing means. A medication support device comprising the drug packaged pack transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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