JP2018068690A - Tablet dispenser, control method of tablet dispenser, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanism capable of reducing a possibility of erroneously performing tablet takeout operation at a position that is not a tablet storage part of a tablet sheet.SOLUTION: When second detection means for detecting a tablet sheet from a direction intersecting with a gravity direction detects the tablet sheet within a prescribed time after first detection means for detecting the tablet sheet to be conveyed from an upper side in the gravity direction detects the tablet sheet, the tablet dispenser performs control to convey the tablet sheet until the second detection means next detects the tablet sheet. When the second detection means detects the tablet sheet after a lapse of the prescribed time when the first detection means detects the tablet sheet, the tablet dispenser specifies an object detected by the second detection means as a tablet storage part, and performs the control to convey the tablet sheet such that the tablet storage part becomes a takeout position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a tablet take-out device, a control method for a tablet take-out device, and a program, and more particularly to a mechanism for reducing the possibility of erroneously executing a tablet take-out operation at a position that is not a tablet storage portion of a tablet sheet.

  In recent years, tablet dispensing devices have been developed that dispense the necessary medicine (powder, tablets, etc.) once for each patient's prescription in dispensing operations (such devices are called “tablet dispensing devices”, “ Also known as a “wrapping machine”).

  As a tablet supply apparatus, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is an apparatus capable of directly taking out a tablet from a tablet sheet (PTP sheet).

JP 2014-223290 A

  In the tablet supply apparatus shown in Patent Document 1, as many tablet sheets as necessary for taking out tablets are set, conveyed one by one to the tablet take-out position, and the tablet containing unit containing the tablets is pressed by an extrusion mechanism. The tablet is pushed out.

  For this reason, the conveyance distance is adjusted by detecting the width of the tablet accommodating portion with an optical sensor during the conveyance of the tablet sheet so that the tablet accommodating portion correctly reaches the pressing position of the extrusion mechanism.

  However, if the front ear part (front ear part 702 in FIG. 7 described later) of the set tablet sheet is rarely warped, the front ear part may be detected as a tablet container by the optical sensor.

  If it does so, a front ear part will be conveyed to the press position of an extrusion mechanism, and a press operation will be performed, and there existed a possibility that a delay might arise in the part corresponding to the tablet extraction time.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism that reduces the possibility of erroneously executing a tablet taking-out operation at a position that is not a tablet container of a tablet sheet.

  The present invention relates to a take-out means for taking out a tablet accommodated in a tablet accommodating portion of a tablet sheet, a carrying means for carrying the tablet sheet to a take-out position by the take-out means, and a tablet sheet carried by the carrying means on the upper side in the gravity direction. The first detection means for detecting the tablet sheet, the second detection means for detecting the tablet sheet conveyed by the conveyance means from the direction intersecting the direction of gravity, and the first detection means to detect the tablet sheet. When the tablet sheet is detected by the second detection means within a predetermined time from the next, the transport means is configured to transport the tablet sheet until the tablet sheet is next detected by the second detection means. If the tablet sheet is detected by the second detection means after a lapse of a predetermined time from the detection of the tablet sheet by the first detection means, The object to be detected detected by the second detecting means is specified as a tablet container, and the conveying means is configured to convey the tablet sheet so that the tablet container is in a take-out position by the take-out means. And a control means for controlling.

  Further, the present invention provides an extraction means for taking out a tablet accommodated in a tablet accommodating portion of a tablet sheet, a conveyance means for conveying the tablet sheet to a take-out position by the extraction means, and a tablet sheet conveyed by the conveyance means. A method for controlling a tablet take-out device comprising: first detection means for detecting from the upper side in the direction; and second detection means for detecting a tablet sheet conveyed by the conveyance means from a direction intersecting the direction of gravity, If the control means of the tablet take-out apparatus detects the tablet sheet by the second detection means within a predetermined time after the detection of the tablet sheet by the first detection means, then the second detection means The conveying means is controlled to convey the tablet sheet until the detecting means detects the tablet sheet, and the tablet sheet is detected by the first detecting means. If the tablet sheet is detected by the second detection unit after a predetermined time has elapsed, the detected object detected by the second detection unit is identified as a tablet storage unit, and the tablet storage And a control step of controlling the conveying means so as to convey the tablet sheet so that the portion is located at the take-out position by the take-out means.

  Further, the present invention provides an extraction means for taking out a tablet accommodated in a tablet accommodating portion of a tablet sheet, a conveyance means for conveying the tablet sheet to a take-out position by the extraction means, and a tablet sheet conveyed by the conveyance means. A program that can be read and executed by a tablet take-out device that includes first detection means for detecting from the upper side of the direction and second detection means for detecting a tablet sheet conveyed by the conveying means from a direction intersecting the direction of gravity. When the tablet taking-out apparatus detects the tablet sheet by the second detecting means within a predetermined time after detecting the tablet sheet by the first detecting means, the second detecting means The conveying means is controlled to convey the tablet sheet until the detecting means detects the tablet sheet, and the first detecting means removes the tablet sheet. When the tablet sheet is detected by the second detection unit after a predetermined time has elapsed since the notification, the detected object detected by the second detection unit is specified as the tablet storage unit. The tablet storage unit functions as a control unit that controls the transport unit so as to transport the tablet sheet so that the tablet unit is positioned at the take-out position by the take-out unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility of erroneously executing the tablet extraction operation at a position that is not the tablet storage portion of the tablet sheet.

It is a figure which shows a packaging apparatus and a tablet supply apparatus. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a tablet extraction unit. It is a figure which shows the internal structure (cross section) of a tablet extraction unit. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a tablet extraction unit. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a packaging unit. It is the figure which looked at the inside of a tablet supply apparatus from the side (right side seeing from the front). It is a figure which shows the internal structure (cross section) of a tablet extraction unit. It is a figure which shows the state in which the tablet sheet | seat in which the front ear | edge part 702 is curving has passed the optical sensor 7. FIG. It is the figure which looked at the inside of tablet taking-out unit 1 from the side. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which determines the conveyance distance at the time of conveying a tablet sheet to a tablet extraction position. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of tablet extraction operation | movement. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus 300 and the tablet extraction system 200.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the components described in this embodiment are merely examples, and the technical scope of the present invention is determined by the scope of the claims, and is not limited by the following individual embodiments. Absent.

The tablet supply device 10 according to the present embodiment takes out a tablet from the tablet sheet 51 and supplies the tablet to the packaging device 5 for packaging the tablet. The tablet supply device 10 drops and accumulates the tablets taken out from the tablet sheet through an introduction path provided inside the tablet supply device 10 (for example, a first accumulation connected to the tablet introduction path). A hopper 401 and a second integrated hopper 402) are provided.
Hereinafter, the tablet supply system (FIG. 1) of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a packaging device 5 for packaging a supplied tablet, a tablet supply device 10 (hereinafter also referred to as a tableting device) for taking out the tablet and supplying it to the packaging device 5 (hereinafter also referred to as a packaging device), a hand It is a figure which shows the tablet supply system 200 (henceforth a tablet extraction system) including the whispering input part 102 and the powder supply part 103. FIG. A plurality of tablet extraction units 1 are mounted on the tablet supply device 10, and tablets are extracted from the tablet sheet by the tablet extraction unit 1. Such a tablet taking-out unit 1 can perform a taking-out operation of a tablet by inputting a packaging condition from a touch panel display 101 or the like provided in the information processing apparatus 300 or the packaging apparatus 5.
Next, the internal structure of the tablet extraction unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a view showing the internal structure of the tablet taking-out unit 1. FIG. 2 shows an example in which two tablet extraction units 1 are arranged side by side.

  The tablet take-out unit 1 includes an input port 203 (tablet sheet holding unit) in which a plurality of tablet sheets 51 can be stacked in a state in which the tablet storage unit 510 is on the upper side with respect to the direction of gravity, and a tablet sheet 51 to be described later. A transport mechanism 16 for transporting, a mounting table on which a tablet sheet 51 transported by the transport mechanism 16 described later is mounted, and an extrusion mechanism for pressing the tablet sheet 51 on the mounting table from the side of the tablet container to take out the tablets. And have. That is, the top of the mounting table is used as the unpacking position (extraction position). The tablet sheet 51 is sealed in the tablet housing part by providing a sealing sheet using a metal foil made of aluminum or the like on the lower surface of the sheet main body having the tablet housing part 510 for housing the tablet. Furthermore, the tablet sheet 51 has a form in which convex tablet accommodating portions are arranged in two rows at intervals in the width direction on the sheet portion. The plurality of tablet accommodating portions forming each row are arranged along the length direction of the tablet sheet 51.

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

  Here, the tablet taking-out unit is an application example of the tablet taking-out means of the present invention, and performs an operation of taking out the tablet from the tablet accommodating portion of the tablet sheet.

Here, the internal structure of the tablet extraction unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a view showing an internal structure (cross section) of the tablet taking-out unit 1, and is a view of the tablet taking-out unit 1 seen from the right side. Specifically, it is a view when the tablet sheet set in the insertion port 203 is transported to the tablet unpacking position (tablet extraction position).
The tablet extraction unit 1 includes a mounting table 18 on which a tablet sheet is mounted.

  Reference numeral 39 denotes a lower roller. A plurality of lower rollers 39 are provided at intervals along the traveling direction.

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

  Reference numeral 24 denotes an introduction chute. The introduction chute 24 is provided on the lower surface side of the mounting table, and guides the tablets taken out from the tablet sheet 51 to a tablet introduction path 601 described later. That is, the introduction chute 24 has a discharge port (also referred to as a tablet dropping port 701) on the lower surface side of the mounting table, and the tablet taken out from the tablet sheet 51 passes through the discharge port, and a tablet introduction path 601 described later. It will fall to. The introduction chute 24 is also called a tablet take-out hopper.

  In the state where the tablet sheet 51 is mounted on the mounting table 18, the tablet extraction unit 1 performs the tablet extraction operation by extruding the tablet with an extrusion mechanism (an example of the extraction means in the present invention).

  Moreover, the tablet taking-out unit 1 further has a changing mechanism that changes the speed at which the tablet accommodating portion of the tablet sheet 51 on the mounting table 18 is pressed. If the tablet cannot be taken out by a predetermined operation of the tablet taking-out unit, the push-out speed of the push-out mechanism is changed to a higher speed than the normal speed, the tablet container is pressed, and the take-out operation is continued (retry). .

  When retrying, the tablet sheet 51 is transported by a transporting means by a predetermined distance from the pressing position on the mounting table 18 for the first time before the tablet container is pressed again. In this state, the extrusion mechanism is used. Press the tablet container. By performing the retry operation in such a state, it is possible to reliably take out the tablet even if the tablet is not taken out by a single take-out operation.

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

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

  On the other hand, the tip of the outer pressing body 84 has a larger area than the tablet accommodating portion of most tablet sheets 51 that are supposed to be mounted on the tablet extraction unit. The tip does not protrude from the hole opened in the 51 metal foil. That is, the tablet container 51 of the tablet sheet 51 is first crushed by using the outer pressing body 84 and then the tablet is reliably pushed out by the inner pressing body 83.

  The extrusion mechanism also has a first lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers the outer pressing body 84 and a second lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers the inner pressing body 83. By operating these, the tablet is pushed out by the pressing body. Can do.

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

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

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

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

  The second elevating body 98 is a columnar body extending in the front-rear direction, and an inner pressing body 83 is attached to the front end portion. The cam 99 is provided on the upper surface side of the second elevating body 98 and is rotationally driven with the rotation of the shaft portion, and presses the second elevating body 98 to adjust the height position. The height position can be adjusted (the inner pressing body 83 is moved up and down).

  The second elevating mechanism can arbitrarily set the elevating operation timing and displacement amount of the inner pressing body 83 by setting the rotation timing of the cam 99, the shape of the cam, the cam fixing position with respect to the shaft portion, and the like. For this reason, the cam 94 and the cam 99 can operate independently of each other with respect to the first lifting body and the second lifting body, respectively, and the inner pressing body 83 and the outer pressing body 84 can be lifted and lowered independently of each other. it can.

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

The tablet take-out unit 1 further includes a detection mechanism 17 that can detect the length of the pressed tablet container and the position of the pressed tablet container before pressing the tablet container of the PTP sheet. Yes. Then, the tablet supply device can calculate a position in the transport direction that is optimal for pressing according to the detected length of the tablet container and the position of the tablet container, and can calculate a transport distance necessary to obtain the position. . That is, the transport mechanism 16 (the lower roller 39 and the upper roller) can transport the tablet sheet to the optimum position necessary for the tablet storage portion on the mounting table 18 to be pressed by the transport distance. The transport mechanism 16 is an example of a transport unit that transports the tablet sheet to the take-out position by the take-out unit in the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the tablet supply device 10.

  401 is a first stacking hopper. In the first accumulation hopper 401, the tablets taken out from the PTP sheet by the tablet extraction unit 1 pass through the introduction chute 24, and the tablets are accumulated from the introduction chute 24 through a tablet introduction path 601 described later. It is a part. That is, the tablet introduction path 601 is directly connected to the first accumulation hopper 401.

  Reference numeral 402 denotes a second stacking hopper. The second accumulation hopper 402 further accumulates the tablets accumulated in the first accumulation hopper 401. That is, the second integrated hopper 402 is electrically connected to the first integrated hopper 401. Therefore, the tablets that have fallen on the first accumulation hopper 401 fall on the second accumulation hopper 402 and are accumulated.

  Reference numeral 404 denotes a first delivery mechanism. The first delivery mechanism 404 moves the tablets accumulated in the second accumulation hopper to the third accumulation hopper. Reference numeral 403 denotes a third stacking hopper. The third accumulation hopper 403 accumulates the tablets sent (moved) by the first delivery mechanism 404. Reference numeral 405 denotes a second delivery mechanism. The second delivery mechanism 405 moves the tablets accumulated in the third accumulation hopper to the main hopper 406.

Reference numeral 406 denotes a main hopper. The main hopper 406 accumulates the tablets (one time) delivered (moved) by the second delivery mechanism 405, and puts the accumulated tablets in a packaging sheet (wrapping paper).
Next, the internal structure of the packaging unit 501 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a view showing the internal structure of the packaging unit 501.

  The packaging unit 501 is a unit in the packaging device 5. Reference numeral 502 denotes a roll paper feed mechanism that feeds roll paper in which the packaging sheets are continuous (paper in which the packaging paper is in a roll shape) to the packaging mechanism. In 503, tablets (one tablet) accumulated in the main hopper 406 are put into a packaging sheet, and the packaging sheet is heated and welded to wrap the tablets put into the packaging sheet. Enclose in a sheet (packaging mechanism). In 504, the tablets accumulated in the main hopper 406 are placed in the packaging sheet, and the packaging sheet is heated and welded to enclose the tablets placed in the packaging sheet in the packaging sheet. (Packaging mechanism) That is, the packaging mechanism 503 and the packaging mechanism 504 heat and weld the packaging sheet, thereby enclosing the tablets put in the packaging sheet into the packaging sheet.

  Reference numeral 505 denotes a dividing mechanism that forms a perforation for cutting on the packaging sheet for dividing the continuous roll paper into packaging sheets for each package. A printer 506 can print date, patient data, and error information on a packaging sheet (printing mechanism).

With such a packaging unit shown in FIG. 5, a tablet or powder for one dose can be packaged in a packaging sheet. In addition, as a packaging sheet, not only the paper which coated the resin material which can be heat-welded on the surface but the transparent film material which can visually recognize the contents can also be used.
Next, each structure with which the tablet supply apparatus 10 is provided is demonstrated using FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a view of the inside of the tablet supply device 10 as viewed from the side (right side when viewed from the front). A dotted arrow shown in FIG. 6 indicates a moving path of the tablet taken out from the tablet taking-out unit 1.

  Reference numeral 601 denotes a tablet introduction path. The tablet introduction path 601 is electrically connected to the introduction chute 24, and relays the tablets taken out from the tablet sheet and dropped from the introduction chute 24 to the first accumulation hopper.

  Reference numeral 602 denotes a discharge path. The tablet sheet after unpacking passes through the discharge path 602 and is accumulated in a discharge pocket that is in communication with the discharge path 602.

  Reference numeral 603 denotes a discharge pocket (disposal box), which is a part where the tablet sheets discharged from the tablet take-out device gather through the discharge path 602. Opened at the front of the device, the discharged tablet sheet can be easily taken out. This is the end of the description of FIG.

  Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 300 and the tablet dispensing system 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 12, the CPU 30 of the information processing device 300, the CPU 57 of the packaging device 5, and the CPU 11 of the tablet supply device 10 cooperate with each other (each unit) controlled by the packaging device 5, and the tablet supply device. An example is shown in which various operations of each device (unit) controlled by 10 are controlled. However, one CPU may control all the devices of the tablet supply system.

  First, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 300 will be described. The CPU 30 of the information processing apparatus 300 can comprehensively control each device and controller connected to the system bus. In addition, the ROM 31 or the external memory 36 is necessary to realize a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS) that is a control program of the CPU 30, or a function executed by each server or each PC. Various programs to be described later are stored. The RAM 33 functions as a main memory and work area for the CPU 30. The CPU 30 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for execution of processing into the RAM 33 and executing the program.

  The CPU 30 controls input from an input terminal such as a keyboard or a mouse (not shown). The video controller (VC) can also control display on a display unit such as the display 34, and further stores a boot program, browser software, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. It is also possible to control access to the external memory 36 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory connected to the hard disk (HD), floppy (registered trademark) disk, or PCMCIA card slot via an adapter.

  The I / F 32 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network. In the present embodiment, the I / F 32 is communicably connected to the I / F 50 of the packaging device 5.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the packaging device 5 will be described. The CPU 57 of the packaging device 5 can comprehensively control each device connected to the bus.

  The ROM 52 stores a control program of the CPU 57 and various control programs. The RAM 53 functions as a system work memory for the CPU 57 to operate.

  The CPU 57 can also control the display on the touch panel display 101, accept input of information from the user using the touch panel function of the display 101 as the input terminal 62, and issue a print instruction to the printer 506. Further, the CPU 57 controls the powder packaging mechanism 55 that is operated when packaging the powder loaded from the powder loading port of the packaging device 5 into one package, or packages the tablets loaded into the manual feeding unit 102 by the user. It is possible to control the manual throwing-in mechanism 56 that is operated when the operation is performed.

  The packaging device 5 and the tablet supply device 10 are communicably connected by the I / O 54 of the packaging device 5 and the I / O 12 of the tablet supply device 10.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the tablet supply device 10 will be described. The CPU 11 of the tablet supply apparatus 10 can comprehensively control each device connected to the bus. The ROM 14 stores a control program for the CPU 11 and various control programs. The RAM 13 functions as a system work memory for the CPU 11 to operate. The CPU 11 can further control the take-out operation in the tablet take-out mechanism 15 and the transport mechanism 16 that carries the tablet sheet.

  In such a hardware configuration, the tablet can be controlled to be taken out as follows. First, the CPU 57 of the packaging device 5 transmits a tablet take-out operation command to the CPU 11 of the tablet supply device 10.

  And CPU11 of the tablet supply apparatus 10 can control the tablet extraction mechanism 15 and the conveyance mechanism 16 according to the said extraction operation command, and can perform tablet extraction operation | movement. Moreover, CPU11 of the tablet supply apparatus 10 can also transmit the operation information which shows the condition of tablet extraction operation | movement with respect to CPU57 of the packaging apparatus 5. FIG.

  Next, an example of a detection sensor that detects passage of the tablet container will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a view of the tablet taking-out unit 1 as viewed from the upper side in the gravity direction of the tablet supply device 10.

  As shown in FIG. 7, as the detection mechanism 17, an optical sensor 7 including a light emitting unit 7 a that emits light and a light receiving unit 7 b that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit 7 a is used to convey a tablet sheet by the conveyance mechanism 16. The width of the tablet container can be obtained by detecting the passage of the tablet container by providing it on the path (the transport path upstream of the tablet dropping port 701).

  That is, the transport distance is obtained from the time during which the optical sensor 7 is ON (the time during which it is detected that the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 7b is less than a predetermined amount) and the transport speed by the transport mechanism 16 during that time. The width of the tablet container can be specified.

  More specifically, in this embodiment, the distance between the detection position of the optical sensor 7 and the center position of the tablet drop opening 701 is about 23.7 mm. In cases other than the last row of tablet storage portions, the detection mechanism 17 detects the completion of passage of the tablet storage portion of the tablet sheet so that the center position of the tablet storage portion comes to the center position of the tablet drop port 701, that is, The position where the distance (23.7 mm−X / 2) is conveyed from the timing when the optical sensor 7 is turned from ON to OFF is defined as the tablet extraction position. Thereby, tablet extraction operation | movement can be performed in the position where the probability that a tablet can be taken out from a tablet accommodating part is high.

  The optical sensor 7 is an example of a second detection unit that detects the tablet sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit in the present invention from a direction intersecting the direction of gravity, and the second detection unit is the conveyance unit. The tablet sheet to be transported is detected from the direction intersecting the gravity direction and intersecting the transport direction of the tablet sheet.

  The optical sensor 7 basically detects a tablet container that passes through the optical sensor 7. This is because the sheet parts of all the tablet sheets (the connected surface in contact with the bottom surface) are about 0.6 mm from the ground surface, and are not detected by the optical sensor, and the height of the tablet container is all 2.0 mm or more. Therefore, only the tablet pocket can be detected.

  However, in rare cases, the optical sensor 7 may detect the sheet portion of the tablet sheet. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8 described later, the front ear portion 702 of the tablet sheet is warped. When the front ear portion 702 is warped, the front ear portion 702 is also detected by the optical sensor 7. May end up. This is because the height of the tablet accommodating portion of the tablet sheet is about 2.0 mm, and the optical sensor 7 is installed at a height for detecting this.

  FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the tablet sheet in which the front ear portion 702 is warped passes through the optical sensor 7. FIG. 8 is a view of the tablet take-out unit 1 as viewed from the side of the tablet supply device 10.

  The tablet sheet of FIG. 8 has a warp in the front ear portion 702. When the operation of taking out a tablet from such a sheet is performed, the first tablet sheet is first conveyed, and the leading edge of the tablet sheet reaches the optical sensor 7.

  When the front ear 702 warps the tablet sheet, the optical sensor 7 is turned from OFF to ON when passing through the front ear 702. If the sheet is transported while being ON for a certain amount or more, it is determined that the ON period is the tablet container. That is, it is determined that the front ear part 702 is a tablet container.

  The front ear part 702 determined to be a tablet storage part is transported to the tablet takeout position, and a tablet takeout operation is performed. The tablet removal operation is repeated a certain number of times until it is determined that the tablet has been removed, and if the tablet is still not removed (the detection mechanism provided in the introduction chute 24 does not detect the tablet), the next tablet is stored. The tablet taking-out operation is executed on the part. Therefore, there is a problem that it leads to time loss.

  In order to solve this problem, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a new optical sensor is added to the upper surface of the tablet sheet conveyance path in the tablet take-out unit 1, and the detection result of the optical sensor is used. A technique of discriminating between the front ear part 702 and the tablet container is used.

  FIG. 9 is a view of the inside of the tablet taking-out unit 1 as viewed from the side. The detection position 903 of the optical sensor 7 (optical sensor light emitting unit 7a) and the detection position 902 of the optical sensor (upper part) 901 intersect each other as shown in FIG.

  The optical sensor (upper part) 901 detects the end of the tablet sheet in the conveyance direction downstream side by blocking the light of the optical sensor (upper part) 901 when the tablet sheet passes.

  That is, if a tablet sheet without warpage is conveyed, the optical sensor 7 is OFF because it does not detect the sheet portion (front ear portion 702), and the optical sensor (upper portion) 901 is turned on the front end (front ear portion 702) of the tablet sheet. ) Is detected and turned from OFF to ON.

  The point in time when the optical sensor 7 is OFF and the optical sensor (upper part) 901 is turned ON from OFF can be identified as the front ear 702 portion at the tip of the tablet sheet. Thereafter, when the tablet container reaches the optical sensor 7 and the optical sensor 7 is turned on, the tablet container is specified and the unpacking operation is performed as in the prior art.

  However, as shown in FIG. 9, when the tablet sheet is warped, when the leading edge of the tablet sheet reaches the optical sensor 7, the optical sensor 7 that is not originally turned on detects the warped front ear portion 702 and is turned off. Turns on. At that time, the optical sensor (upper part) 901 detects the leading edge of the tablet sheet, and the optical sensor (upper part) 901 is also turned on from OFF.

  As described above, when the two sensors are turned from OFF to ON at the same time, it can be determined that the sensor is not the tablet container but the front ear 702 at the tip of the tablet sheet. When the warped front ear portion 702 passes through the optical sensor 7, the optical sensor 7 is turned off, and is turned on when the tablet container reaches the detection position of the optical sensor 7.

  The optical sensor (upper part) 901 is kept ON until one tablet sheet has been conveyed. When the optical sensor (upper part) 901 is turned on and the optical sensor 7 is turned from OFF to ON, it can be judged as a true tablet peripheral part, and from there, it is correctly discriminated between the tablet containing part and the tablet containing part as usual. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the front ear portion 702 from being erroneously detected as a tablet and performing the tablet removal operation.

  The optical sensor (upper part) 901 is an example of a first detection unit that detects a tablet sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit from the upper side in the gravity direction in the present invention.

  Next, when the tablet sheet is conveyed so that the front ear portion 702 is on the downstream side in the conveyance direction, the flow for determining the conveyance distance to the tablet extraction position (that is, the conveyance amount to the tablet extraction position) is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  Each process shown in FIG. 10 is realized by the CPU 11 of the tablet supply device 10 reading and executing a control program stored in the ROM 14.

  In step S <b> 1001, the tablet supply device 10 conveys the first tablet sheet by the conveyance mechanism 16 in order to take out the tablets by the number of tablets included in the prescription data. When the conveyance of the first tablet sheet is started, the conveyance mechanism 16 conveys one step.

  In step S <b> 1002, the tablet supply device 10 acquires the detection state of the front ear portion 702 of the tablet sheet by the optical sensor (upper part) 901.

  In step S <b> 1003, the tablet supply device 10 determines whether the optical sensor (upper part) 901 has changed from OFF to ON. Specifically, since it can be said that the optical sensor (upper part) 901 is ON when the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 7b is less than a predetermined amount, the tablet supply is performed when the optical sensor (upper part) 901 is ON. The apparatus 10 shifts the process to S1004. On the other hand, when the optical sensor (upper part) 901 is OFF, since the tablet sheet has not been detected yet, the process returns to S1001.

  In step S <b> 1004, the tablet supply device 10 acquires the detection state of the tablet container of the tablet sheet by the optical sensor 7.

  In step S <b> 1005, the tablet supply device 10 determines whether the optical sensor 7 has changed from OFF to ON within a predetermined time after it is determined in step S <b> 1003 that the optical sensor (upper part) 901 has changed from OFF to ON. Specifically, it can be said that the optical sensor 7 is ON when the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 7b is less than a predetermined amount. Therefore, when the optical sensor 7 is ON, the front ear portion 702 of the tablet sheet is removed. It is determined that the tablet storage unit is erroneously detected, and the process proceeds to S1014. On the other hand, when the optical sensor 7 is OFF, since the tablet container has not been detected yet, the tablet supply device 10 moves the process to S1006.

  In S <b> 1006, the tablet supply device 10 performs the conveyance for one step by the conveyance mechanism 16 as in S <b> 1001.

  In step S <b> 1007, the tablet supply device 10 acquires the detection state of the tablet container of the tablet sheet by the optical sensor 7.

  In step S <b> 1008, the tablet supply device 10 determines whether the optical sensor 7 has changed from OFF to ON. Specifically, it can be said that the optical sensor 7 is ON when the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 7b is less than a predetermined amount. Therefore, when the optical sensor 7 is ON, the process proceeds to S1009. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1003 that the optical sensor (upper part) 901 has changed from OFF to ON, and the optical sensor 7 has not changed from OFF to ON within a predetermined time, the tablet container has not been detected yet. Therefore, the tablet supply device 10 returns the process to S1006.

  In S1009, the tablet width counter value for specifying the width of the tablet container is incremented. That is, since the number of steps by the transport mechanism 16 is counted, the transport from the tablet width counter value counted while the optical sensor 7 is ON and the transport distance corresponding to one step by the transport mechanism 16 is performed. The width of the tablet container in the direction can be specified.

  In step S1010, the tablet supply device 10 performs conveyance for one step by the conveyance mechanism 16 in the same manner as in step S1001. In step S1011, the detection state of the tablet storage unit by the optical sensor 7 is acquired as in step S1007.

  In step S1012, the tablet supply device 10 determines whether the optical sensor 7 has changed from ON to OFF. When it changes from ON to OFF, since it can be said that the tablet container has passed the detection position of the optical sensor 7, the measurement result is stored in the ROM 14 of the tablet supply device 10, and the process proceeds to S1013.

  In step S <b> 1013, the tablet supply device 10 calculates a transport distance for transporting the tablet sheet from the timing at which the optical sensor 7 detects the passage of the tablet sheet through the tablet storage unit. Specifically, the conveyance distance (23.7 mm) is determined from the width X of the tablet container specified from the tablet width counter value and the distance (23.7 mm) between the detection position of the optical sensor and the center position of the tablet dropping port 701. -X / 2) is calculated.

  Next, a process (S1014 to S1016) when it is determined that the tablet supply device 10 erroneously detects the front ear portion 702 of the tablet sheet as a tablet storage unit during the conveyance of the tablet sheet will be described. It is conveyed until the front ear portion 702 of the tablet sheet erroneously detected by the processing of S1014 to S1016 passes through the optical sensor 7.

  In S <b> 1014, the tablet supply device 10 performs the conveyance for one step by the conveyance mechanism 16 as in S <b> 1001.

  In S1015, the tablet supply apparatus 10 acquires the detection state of the tablet container of the tablet sheet by the optical sensor 7 as in S1004.

  In step S1016, the tablet supply device 10 determines whether the optical sensor 7 has changed from ON to OFF. Specifically, it can be said that the optical sensor 7 is ON when the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 7b is less than a predetermined amount. Therefore, when the optical sensor 7 is ON, the front ear of the erroneously detected tablet sheet Since the unit 702 has not passed through the optical sensor 7, the process returns to S1014. On the other hand, when the optical sensor 7 is OFF, since it has passed through the front ear portion 702 of the erroneously detected tablet sheet, the process proceeds to S1006.

That is, in the processes of S1005 to S1008 and S1014 to S1016, if the tablet sheet is detected by the second detection means within a predetermined time after the tablet sheet is detected by the first detection means, The conveying means is controlled to convey the tablet sheet until the detecting means detects the tablet sheet, and the first detecting means detects the tablet sheet and the first time elapses after a predetermined time has elapsed. When the tablet sheet is detected by the second detection means, the detection object detected by the second detection means is specified as a tablet storage portion, and the tablet storage portion is taken out by the extraction means. The conveying means is controlled so as to convey the tablet sheet (control means in the present invention).
This is the end of the description of FIG.

  Next, the flow of the tablet extracting operation will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Such a tablet taking-out operation is performed in a state where the tablet is transported by the transport distance calculated by the flowchart of FIG. Each process shown in FIG. 11 is realized by the CPU 11 of the tablet supply device 10 reading and executing a control program stored in the ROM 14.

  In S1101, the tablet supply device 10 determines whether or not the unpacking operation is completed because the number of unpacked tablets already unpacked becomes the number of tablets specified by the prescription data. Specifically, the extraction operation is completed by managing the total number of tablets detected by the optical sensor installed in the introduction chute 24 for each tablet extraction unit 1 in the ROM 14 as tablet count data. You can judge whether or not.

  If it is determined that the take-out operation has been completed, the tablet supply device 10 ends the take-out operation by discharging the tablet sheet to the discharge path 602, and has not reached the unpacking number. In the case, the process proceeds to S1102.

  In S <b> 1102, the tablet supply device 10 conveys the tablet sheet by the conveyance mechanism 16 until the tablet container reaches the tablet extraction position. When the taking-out operation is continuously performed, the tablet sheet is conveyed by one row corresponding to the interval of the tablet accommodating portions. The tablet extraction position here is a position determined from the conveyance distance calculated by the flowchart of FIG.

  In S <b> 1103, the tablet supply device 10 causes the tablet extraction operation from the left tablet storage unit to be performed by the extrusion mechanism.

  In S1104, whether the tablet supply device 10 detects one tablet by detecting whether or not the passage of the tablet is detected (successful removal) by an optical sensor installed in the introduction chute 24 within a predetermined time after the extraction operation is performed. Judging. If no tablet is detected, the process proceeds to S1105, and a retry operation of the tablet removal operation is performed.

  In S1106, whether the tablet supply device 10 detects one tablet by detecting whether or not the passage of the tablet is detected (successful removal) by the optical sensor installed in the introduction chute 24 within a predetermined time after the extraction operation is performed. Judging. If no tablet is detected, it is determined in S1107 whether or not the retry upper limit has been reached. If not reached, the transport mechanism 16 changes the unpacking position of the tablet, and the process returns to S1105 to remove retry. Perform the wrapping operation. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1107 that the retry upper limit has been reached, the process proceeds to S1109.

  If a tablet is detected in S1104 and S1106, it is determined in S1108 whether or not the unpacking operation has been completed with the unpacking number of the already unpacked tablet being the unpacking number specified in the prescription data. To do.

  Specifically, the extraction operation is completed by managing the total number of tablets detected by the optical sensor installed in the introduction chute 24 for each tablet extraction unit 1 in the ROM 14 as tablet count data. You can judge whether or not.

  If it is determined that the removal has been completed, it is determined that the take-out operation has been completed, the tablet sheet is discharged to the discharge path 602, and the process ends. If the number of unpacking has not been reached, the process proceeds to S1109.

  In S <b> 1109, the tablet supply device 10 causes the extrusion mechanism to take out the tablet from the right tablet storage unit. In S1110, whether the tablet supply device 10 detects one tablet by detecting whether or not the passage of the tablet is detected (successful removal) by the optical sensor installed in the introduction chute 24 within a predetermined time after the extraction operation is performed. Judging. If no tablet is detected, the process proceeds to S1111 to perform a retry operation of the tablet removal operation.

  In S1112, whether the tablet supply device 10 detects one tablet by detecting whether or not the passage of the tablet is detected (successful removal) by the optical sensor installed in the introduction chute 24 within a predetermined time after the extraction operation is performed. Judging.

  If no tablet is detected, it is determined in S1113 whether or not the retry upper limit has been reached. If not reached, the transport mechanism 16 changes the unpacking position of the tablet, and then returns to S1111 to retry unpacking again. Perform the action. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1113 that the retry upper limit has been reached, the process returns to S1102 to continue the unpacking operation.

If it is determined in S1110 and S1112 that the tablets have been taken out, the process returns to S1101 to determine whether a predetermined number of packages have been removed. The tablet taking-out operation is performed by the above processing.
This is the end of the description of FIG. This is the end of the description of the present invention.

  As mentioned above, according to this invention, possibility that a tablet extraction operation | movement will be performed accidentally in the position which is not a tablet accommodating part of a tablet sheet can be reduced.

  The present invention can be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like, and can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices. You may apply to the apparatus which consists of one apparatus.

  Note that the present invention includes a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely from a system or apparatus. The present invention also includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the present invention also includes a computer program for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW. In addition, there are magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R), and the like.

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. The computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from the homepage by downloading it to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

  It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the downloaded key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. In addition, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The above-described embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

5 Packaging Device 10 Tablet Extraction Device 300 Information Processing Device

Claims (6)

Taking-out means for taking out the tablets accommodated in the tablet accommodating portion of the tablet sheet;
Transport means for transporting the tablet sheet to the take-out position by the take-out means;
First detecting means for detecting the tablet sheet conveyed by the conveying means from above in the direction of gravity;
A second detection means for detecting the tablet sheet conveyed by the conveyance means from a direction intersecting the direction of gravity; and the second detection within a predetermined time after the tablet sheet is detected by the first detection means. When the tablet sheet is detected by the means, the conveying means is controlled to convey the tablet sheet until the tablet sheet is detected by the second detecting means, and the first detecting means When the tablet sheet is detected by the second detection means after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection of the tablet sheet by the above, the detected object detected by the second detection means is stored in the tablet container. And control means for controlling the conveying means so as to convey the tablet sheet so that the tablet accommodating portion is located at the take-out position by the take-out means. Tablet extraction device.   The said 2nd detection means detects the tablet sheet conveyed by the said conveyance means from the direction which cross | intersects the gravity direction and cross | intersects the conveyance direction of the said tablet sheet, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. The tablet taking-out device described in 1.   If the second detection means detects the tablet sheet within a predetermined time after the first detection means detects the tablet sheet, the control means then uses the second detection means. When the conveying means is controlled to convey the tablet sheet until the tablet sheet is detected, and then the tablet sheet is detected by the second detecting means, it is detected by the second detecting means. The transported unit is controlled so that the detected object is identified as a tablet storage unit, and the tablet sheet is transported so that the tablet storage unit is at a take-out position by the take-out unit. The tablet taking-out apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   When the second detection means detects the tablet sheet within a predetermined time after the first detection means detects the tablet sheet, the end of the tablet sheet warps in the direction opposite to the gravity direction. The tablet taking-out device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tablet taking-out device is provided. A take-out means for taking out the tablets stored in the tablet containing portion of the tablet sheet; a carrying means for carrying the tablet sheet to a take-out position by the take-out means; and a first means for detecting the tablet sheet carried by the carrying means from above in the direction of gravity. 1. A control method of a tablet take-out device comprising: a detection means; and a second detection means for detecting a tablet sheet conveyed by the conveyance means from a direction intersecting the direction of gravity,
If the control means of the tablet take-out apparatus detects the tablet sheet by the second detection means within a predetermined time after the detection of the tablet sheet by the first detection means, then the second detection means The conveying means is controlled so as to convey the tablet sheet until the detecting means detects the tablet sheet, and the first detecting means detects the tablet sheet and then the predetermined time elapses. When the tablet sheet is detected by the second detection means, the detection object detected by the second detection means is specified as a tablet storage portion, and the tablet storage portion is taken out by the extraction means. And a control step of controlling the transport means so as to transport the tablet sheet. A take-out means for taking out the tablets stored in the tablet containing portion of the tablet sheet; a carrying means for carrying the tablet sheet to a take-out position by the take-out means; and a first means for detecting the tablet sheet carried by the carrying means from above in the direction of gravity. A program that can be read and executed by a tablet take-out device comprising: 1 detection means; and a second detection means for detecting a tablet sheet conveyed by the conveyance means from a direction intersecting the direction of gravity,
The tablet removing device;
If the tablet sheet is detected by the second detection means within a predetermined time after the tablet sheet is detected by the first detection means, then the tablet sheet is detected by the second detection means. The conveying means is controlled to convey the tablet sheet until a predetermined time elapses after the first detecting means detects the tablet sheet, and the second detecting means removes the tablet sheet. If detected, the detected object detected by the second detection means is specified as the tablet storage portion, and the tablet sheet is conveyed so that the tablet storage portion is at the take-out position by the take-out means. A program that functions as control means for controlling the transport means.

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