JP2646162B2 - Powder supply device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a powder supply device for supplying an arbitrary type of powder from a plurality of types of powder from a predetermined supply port.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, there are many types of powdered medicines handled in hospital pharmacies and the like. These powdered powders are separately stored for each type in a relatively large amount in a storage container called an apparatus bottle. In addition, they are arranged side by side on a shelf erected above the dispensing table. When dispensing any kind of powder stored in such a device bottle for dispensing to a patient based on a doctor's prescription, first, the required amount of powder prescribed in the prescription is dispensed from the device bottle. I have to take it out to the table. That is, in general, a powdered medicine of the type specified in the prescription is taken out of the device bottle into a dispensing table by an amount corresponding to one prescription specified in the prescription, and then divided into single doses. Next, a package is taken such that each dose becomes one package, and such a package is administered to a patient. As described above, the dispensing operation of the powder is generally performed by taking out the powder for one prescription from the device bottle to the dispensing table, dividing the prescription into one dose, and dispensing each dose. Of these, the division work and the packing work are described below.
Conventionally, various dividing devices and packaging devices have been developed according to the demand for automation, and some of them have been put to practical use.

[0003]

However, it is not possible to automatically take out only a required amount of powder from a device bottle placed on a shelf to a dispensing table, and therefore, conventionally, powder dispensing has been difficult. At least the work of taking out the powder from the device bottle to the dispensing table must be performed manually by a pharmacist, which not only imposes a heavy burden on the pharmacist but also dispenses the powder. This was a decisive obstacle in automating the work, and was a very serious problem.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, discharges a required amount of powder from a plurality of powders and supplies the powder from a predetermined supply port automatically. It is an object of the present invention to provide a powdered drug supply device capable of supplying a powdered medicine.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of powder discharge devices for accommodating each type of powder and discharging the required amount of powder, and supplying the discharged powder. And a discharge port for each of the powder discharge devices is configured to correspond to the supply port.

[0006]

According to the present invention, by employing the above-mentioned means, the required amount of powder of any kind can be discharged without any manual operation of the pharmacist, and the powder contained in each powder discharge device can be discharged. It will be automatically supplied from the supply port which was set.

[0007]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a powder supply device according to the present invention. This powder supply device accommodates each type of powder and discharges a required amount of the powder. , And a supply port 3 for supplying the discharged powder, and at a position corresponding to the supply port 3, the discharge port of each powder discharge apparatus 1, 1,. Each is arranged. Each of the powder discharge devices 1 includes a powder container 11 that stores a powder so that the powder can be discharged appropriately, and a powder container 1 that stores the powder.
1 and a discharger 12 for terminating the discharge operation of the powder container 11 when the discharge amount of the powder reaches the required amount. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the powdered medicine discharging device 1. The powdered medicine container 11 has a stock part 13 having an internal volume capable of stocking a sufficient amount of any kind of powdered medicine, and a stocking part 13. A discharge unit 15 for discharging the powdered powder little by little, and a discharge unit 15
And a supply unit 14 for supplying the powdered medicine from the stock unit 13 to the discharge unit 15 in order to continuously discharge the powdered powder from the container. On the other hand, the ejector 12 includes a weighing unit 16 that weighs the powdered medicine discharged from the ejection unit 15 with the discharging operation of the powdered medicine container 11, and a setting unit 18 that arbitrarily sets the required amount of the powdered medicine to be discharged. By comparing the weighed value of the weighing unit 16 with the set value of the setting unit 18, when the weighed value, that is, the discharge amount of the powder reaches the set value, that is, the required amount of the powder, the discharge operation of the powder container 11 is ended. And a control unit 17 for performing the control. Also, by the operation of an appropriate control device (not shown), the powder discharge device 1 containing the type of powder to be discharged is designated from the powder discharge devices 1, 1,... And the required amount of the powder to be discharged. Is designated, the ejector 12 of the designated powdered medicine ejection device 1
In addition, the type and required amount of the powdered medicine to be discharged are transmitted, and the type instructs the control unit 17 to start the operation, and the required amount is set in the setting unit 18. The required amount of the powdered medicine that has been weighed by the weighing unit 16 is fed toward the supply port 3 by an appropriate feeding device 19. The feeding device 19 is
For example, it can be constituted by a vibration feeder such as an electromagnetic feeder. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, the weighing unit 16 sends out a required amount of powdered medicine toward the supply port 3 upon completion of weighing. If the configuration is such that it can be performed, it can be omitted. FIG.
Shows a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the powder container 11, and includes a stock unit 13, a supply unit 14, and a discharge unit 15.
Each has a cavity having a required internal volume and shape, and furthermore, the cavity of the stock unit 13 and the cavity of the supply unit 14 are at least partially communicated with each other.
Although the space 4 and the space of the discharge portion 15 communicate at least in part, various designs are possible for the internal volume, shape, location and form of communication of these spaces. , Specific illustration is omitted. For example, as an example, the supply unit 14 is arranged below the stock unit 13,
The discharge unit 15 is disposed further below the supply unit 14, and the lower end of the empty space of the stock unit 13 communicates with the upper end of the empty space of the supply unit 14, and the lower end of the empty space of the supply unit 14. Discharge unit 1
5 so as to communicate with the upper end of the empty space, so that the powdered medicine in the empty space of the stock unit 13 enters the empty space of the supply unit 14 as long as it falls smoothly, and then drops more smoothly therefrom. If so, it can be designed to pass through the space in the supply section 14 and into the space in the discharge section 15. An appropriate discharge member 2 is provided in the empty space of the discharge section 15.
1 is provided, and an appropriate shutter 22 is provided at a discharge port formed at an appropriate place in the empty space. The discharge member 21 can be constituted, for example, by a screw formed by projecting a helical flange around a spindle around the spindle. In this case, the cavity is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is formed in the cylinder. It is preferable to dispose a screw-shaped discharge member 21, and it is preferable to form a discharge port at the tip of this cylinder, and to dispose the shutter 22 here. The discharge member 21 is connected to an appropriate motor 23 for rotating the discharge member 21 to move the powder in the cylindrical cavity toward the discharge port. 22 is opened and closed, and accordingly, an appropriate operating member 24 adapted to open and close the discharge port of the cylindrical space is connected. Therefore, the motor 2
When the discharge member 21 is rotated by the operation member 3 and the shutter 22 is opened by the operation member 24, the powdered medicine in the cylindrical cavity of the discharge portion 15 moves toward the discharge port and is discharged from the discharge port. When the rotation of is stopped and the shutter 22 is closed, the movement and discharge of the powdered medicine in the discharge unit 15 are stopped. Further, in the empty space of the supply unit 14, an appropriate stirring member 2 is provided.
5 can be provided. The stirring member 25 is, for example,
An appropriate motor 26 adapted to rotate the stirring member 25 can be constituted by a scraper formed by projecting a plurality of arm members around the support shaft around the support shaft. Connect. Therefore, if the stirring member 25 is rotated by the motor 26,
The powdered medicine in the empty space of the supply unit 14 is smoothly supplied to the cylindrical empty space of the discharge unit 15 while being stirred, and the powdered medicine is supplied from the stock unit 13 into the empty space of the supply unit 14. ing. The powder in the empty space of the stock unit 13 is supplied to the supply unit 1 according to the powder discharge operation of the discharge unit 15 and the accompanying powder supply operation of the supply unit 14.
In order to make this movement smooth, the sectional area of the space of the stock portion 13 should be gradually increased from upstream to downstream, or Alternatively, it is desirable that at least from upstream to downstream be the same. However, for the purpose of storing as much powder as possible with the limited outer dimensions of the stock portion 13 and the purpose of suppressing the installation space of the powder container 11, it is required to make the upstream side larger than the downstream side. In such a case, it is indispensable to provide a suitable stirring member 27 in the stock section 13 itself in addition to the stirring member 25 of the supply section 14. Such a stirring member 27 may be rotated by an independent dedicated motor. However, the motor 26 for the stirring member 25 of the supply unit 14 is shared, and the stirring member 27 is rotated by the motor 26 together with the stirring member 27. Can also be configured to rotate. The installation of the stirring member 27 is performed by the stock unit 13.
Not only when the cross-sectional area of the void is larger on the upstream side than on the downstream side, but also when it is almost the same from upstream to downstream, and when it gradually increases from upstream to downstream Are both effective.

[0008] Next, the operation of the powdered medicine supply device configured as described above will be described. First, each powder container 1
In the stock sections 13 of 1, 11,..., A predetermined type of powdered medicine is charged in a sufficiently large amount and stocked. Next, the stirring member 27 of the stock unit 13 and the stirring member 25 of the supply unit 14 are rotated by the motor 26 to supply the powdered medicine in the stock unit 13 to the supply unit 14 while stirring, and Is supplied to the discharge section 15 while stirring, and the discharge section 15 is filled.
At this time, if necessary, the discharge member 21 is rotated by a desired amount by the motor
5. Ensure that the powder is filled in step 5. Of course, such an operation of filling the discharge portion 15 with the powdered medicine is performed by the discharge device 12.
However, since it is effective only for the first time, it may be omitted. On the other hand, by the operation of an appropriate control device (not shown), the powder discharge device 1 containing the type of powder to be discharged is designated from the powder discharge devices 1, 1,... And the required amount of the powder to be discharged. Is indicated. Then, the type and the required amount of the powder to be discharged are transmitted to the specified discharger 12 of the powder discharge device 1, and the type instructs the control unit 17 to start the operation and the required amount is set. Set in the section 18. In response, the powder discharge device 1
In response to an instruction from the ejector 12, the motor 23 is driven to rotate the ejection member 21, and the operation member 24 is operated to open the shutter 22. Then, the discharge operation of the powder starts, and the powder in the cylindrical cavity of the discharge portion 15 gradually moves toward the discharge port, and is continuously discharged from the discharge port. At this time, the amount of powdered medicine substantially equivalent to the amount discharged from the discharge unit 15 by the rotation of the discharge member 21 is smoothly supplied from the supply unit 14 into the discharge unit 15 by the rotation of the stirring member 25, and The amount of powder that is almost equivalent to the amount supplied from the
As a result of the smooth movement of the stirring member 25 and the stirring member 27 from the stock portion 13 into the supply portion 14, the discharge of the powder from the discharge portion 15 is performed continuously without interruption. When the discharge amount of the powdered medicine discharged from the discharge section 15 (that is, the weighed value by the weighing section 16) reaches the required amount to be discharged (that is, the set value by the setting section 18), the powdered medicine discharge device 1 sets the discharger 1 By the instruction of 12,
The motor 23 is stopped to stop the rotation of the discharge member 21, and the operating member 24 is operated to close the shutter 22. At the same time, the rotation of the stirring members 25 and 27 by the motor 26 is also stopped. And the powder container 11
The required amount (for example, for one dose) of the powdered medicine discharged from the discharge part 15 of the above and weighed by the weighing device 16 is fed toward the supply port 3 by the feeding device 19 and supplied from the supply port 3. Will be done.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of another embodiment of the powdered medicine container 11. In the case of the powdered medicine container 11, although not shown, the discharge amount of the powdered medicine is output to the discharger 12. In order to adjust the discharge operation in accordance with the above, the discharge operation level before and after the discharge operation (ie, the discharge amount per unit time) and the discharge amount to be performed (ie, the timing at which the discharge operation level is switched) are appropriately designated. An adjusting unit is provided, and during the discharging operation of the powdered medicine container 11, the control unit 17
The discharging operation of the powder container 11 is performed according to the discharging operation level instructed by the adjusting unit. Appropriate discharge members 21a and 21b are provided in parallel in the space of the discharge section 15, and a suitable shutter 22 is provided in a discharge port formed in an appropriate place of the space. The discharge members 21a and 21b can be constituted by, for example, a screw formed by projecting a helical rim around a spindle around the spindle.
It is preferable to form two separate or joined cylinders, and arrange screw-shaped discharge members 21a and 21b in each of the cylinders. Preferably, a common shutter 22 is provided. The discharge members 21a and 21b are connected to appropriate motors 23a and 23b that rotate the discharge members 21a and 21b to move the powder in the cavity toward the discharge port, respectively. An appropriate operating member 24 that opens and closes the shutter 22 and accordingly opens and closes the discharge port of the empty space is connected to 22. Therefore, the motors 23a, 23
If the discharge members 21a and 21b are rotated by b, and the shutter 22 is opened by the operation member 24, the powdered medicine in the empty space of the discharge portion 15 moves toward the discharge port and is discharged from the discharge port, while the discharge member 21a , 21b are stopped and the shutter 22 is closed, so that the movement and discharge of the powder in the discharge unit 15 are stopped. Further, the discharge amounts of the powdered medicine per unit time by the discharge members 21a and 21b are configured to be different from each other. That is, the discharge amount of the powdered medicine per unit time by the discharge member 21a is larger than the discharge amount of the powdered medicine by the discharge member 21b per unit time.
The discharge amount per unit time of the powder by 1b is the discharge member 2
The discharge amount per unit time of the powdered medicine according to 1a is set to be smaller. Such a problem is caused, for example, by the discharge member 21a.
Is larger than the diameter of the discharge member 21b, or the screw pitch of the discharge member 21a is longer than the screw pitch of the discharge member 21b,
Alternatively, a combination of the two can be achieved even when the discharge members 21a and 21b rotate at the same speed, and the rotation speed of the discharge member 21a by the motor 23a is reduced by the discharge member 2 by the motor 23b.
This can also be achieved by making the rotation speed higher than the rotation speed of 1b. The discharge members 21a and 21b having different discharge amounts of the powdered medicine per unit time as described above.
Is combined with the control unit 17 and the adjustment unit of the ejector 12 as follows. That is, for example, during the period from the beginning of the discharging operation period of the powder container 11 to a little before the end, the discharging members 21a and 21b are rotated together, thereby discharging the powder in a relatively large amount per unit time. When slightly before the end of the discharging operation period, the discharging member 21b is rotated as it is, but the rotation of the discharging member 21a is stopped, so that the motor 23 is driven so as to discharge only a small amount of powdered medicine per unit time.
The timing of switching from driving to stop of a is instructed by the adjustment unit, and the control unit 17 controls the motors 23a and 23b in accordance with the instruction. In this way, for example, during the discharging operation of the powder container 11, the discharging members 21a and 21b are rotated together to discharge the powder in a relatively large amount per unit time, and thus, it is necessary to discharge the powder. While the amount of powdered drug is discharged in a relatively short time,
It is possible to avoid a disadvantage that an inevitable large amount error occurs at the end of the discharging operation period, and also, for example, by rotating only the discharging member 21b during the discharging operation period of the powder container 11, to unitize the powdering. Emits only a small amount per hour, so that due to the minute emission,
At the end of the discharging operation period, there is substantially no amount error, but it is possible to avoid a disadvantage that a considerable amount of time is required until the required amount of powdered powder to be discharged has been discharged. Is discharged in a relatively short period of time and substantially without an error in the amount of the powder. As a result, both the speed and accuracy of the discharge of the powder can be realized without difficulty and effectively.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a weighing section 16 and a setting section 18 are provided in the discharger 12 to control the discharge amount of the powder discharged from the powder container 11 by weighing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the discharge amount of the powder discharged from the powder container 11 can be controlled according to, for example, the rotation angle or the driving time of the motor 23 that rotates the discharge member 21. It is also possible to adopt a control method that does not depend on weighing. Further, in the above embodiment, the discharging member 21 is constituted by a screw formed by projecting a helical rim around the support shaft, but the present invention is not limited to this. Can be used. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the stirring member 25 is constituted by a scraper formed by projecting a plurality of arm members around the support shaft around the support shaft. However, the present invention is not limited to this. possible to use the agitation member 25 consisting of der is, Ru similarly der also agitating member 27. Soshi
Therefore, the stirring member 25 simply disperses the powder in the supply unit 14.
In addition to agitating, aggressively direct powder toward discharge section 15
It is preferable to adopt a configuration suitable for
In addition, the stirring member 27 simply disperses in the stock portion 13.
Not only let the medicine stir, but also the powder
It is preferable to have a configuration suitable for active supply
No. In the above-described embodiment, the motor 26 for the stirring member 25 of the supply unit 14 is shared as the motor for the stirring member 27 of the stock unit 13, and the motor 26 rotates the stirring member 27 together with the stirring member 25. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a dedicated motor for the stirring member 27 of the stock unit 13 may be provided independently. Further, in the above embodiment, the motor 26 for the stirring member 25 of the supply unit 14 is provided separately from the motor 23 for the discharge member 21 of the discharge unit 15, but the present invention is not limited to this. And the motor 23 rotates the discharge member 21 of the discharge unit 15, rotates the stirring member 25 of the supply unit 14, and further rotates the stirring member 27 of the stock unit 13. In this case, when it is necessary to selectively and independently rotate the discharge member 21 or the stirring members 25 and 27, the motor 23 and the discharge member 21 or the stirring What is necessary is just to comprise so that the members 25 and 27 may be couple | bonded separably. Also,
For example, only one of the motors 23a and 23b
The motor 23 is provided through an appropriate clutch.
Then, one or both of the discharge members 21a and 21b
It is also possible to selectively rotate one side.
Further, in the above embodiment, the common outlet is
Only one shutter 22 is provided, but is limited to this
Instead, for example, the discharge members 21a and 21b respectively
Independent shutters with corresponding outlets
22a and 22b can also be arranged, in which case,
The independent operating members 24a and 24b are
What is necessary is just to connect to 2a, 22b. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the discharge amounts of the powdered medicine by the discharge members 21a and 21b per unit time are configured to be different from each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Depending on whether only one or both are used at the same time, the discharge amount of powdered medicine per unit time can be changed as a whole, and the number of discharge members is not limited to two. Instead, three or more of them can be provided and used selectively. Further, for example, the driving speed of the motor 23a or 23b can be changed in the middle of the discharging operation period of the powder container 11, so that either one of the discharging members 21a or 21b, that is, Even with a single discharge member, it is possible to change the discharge amount of the powder per unit time during the discharge operation period of the powder container 11. In the above embodiment, the supply unit 14 is
Although the stirring member 25 is provided, it is not limited to this.
For example, the supply unit 14 is connected to the stock unit 13 and the discharge unit 15.
As a simple communication hole or a short communication path
If necessary, a stirrer is used to simplify the structure.
25 can be omitted. In the above embodiment,
Apart from the stock portion 13 is provided with the supply portion 14, is this
It is not limited to, for example, the stock unit 13
Ability to stock a sufficient amount of any type of powder
And a function to supply the stocked powder to the discharge unit 15
And the stock unit 13 and the supply unit 14
There is no need to distinguish between Further , in the above embodiment, the required amount (for example, for one dose) of the powdered medicine discharged from the powdered medicine container 11 by the function of the discharger 12 is supplied to the supply port 3.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the required amount of powder to be discharged is 1
Instruct the amount of one prescription, not the amount of the dose,
This can also be set in the setting unit 18, in which case,
The discharged required amount (one prescription) of powdered medicine is divided into single doses by a suitable dividing device, and then divided by a proper packaging device such that each dose becomes one packet. It is possible to Then, for example, of the discharging members 21a and 21b, the discharging member 21a capable of discharging a large amount per unit time is used as a discharging member for extracting powdered medicine for one prescription, and the discharging member 21b capable of discharging a small amount per unit time is used. It can also be used properly as a discharge member for taking out a single dose of powdered medicine. Therefore,
The method of adjusting the discharge operation by the adjusting unit is not limited to switching the discharge operation level (discharge amount per unit time) during the discharge operation period of the powdered medicine container 11 as shown in the above embodiment. When the discharge amount of powder is one prescription, the discharge operation corresponding thereto is performed by the powder container 11 to discharge a relatively large amount of powder per unit time, while the discharge amount of powder is reduced by one dose. In the case of (one packet), in the case of prescription discharge and in the case of one packet discharge, the powder container 11 is caused to perform a discharge operation corresponding thereto, and relatively relatively small amount of powder is discharged per unit time. Thus, the discharging operation of the powdered medicine container 11 can be switched. In addition,
In the embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Although the description has been made in correspondence with the supply port 3 in a fixed manner, it is not limited to this.
Not specified, for example, discharge of any one powder
When it is necessary to discharge the powder from the device 1,
The powder discharge device 1 is selectively made to correspond to the supply port 3.
Of course, you can
Also, to make the two correspond, the powder discharge device 1 or the supply
It is effective to move the mouth 3, and furthermore, discharge the powder.
A large number of devices 1 are prepared, not limited to three , and these are selectively supplied.
It is also possible to configure so as to correspond to the supply port 3.
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG.
11 and the ejector 12 have been described in association with each other.
Means that the person can not break the correspondence
For example, the powder is discharged from the powder container 11
Powder container 11 and ejector 1
2 can be configured to correspond
Small and powdery to accommodate both
It is effective to move the dispenser 11 or the ejector 12
In addition, a number of powder container 11 are prepared and selected.
Alternatively, it can be configured to correspond to the ejector 12.
Noh. Then, it is made to selectively correspond to the supply port 3.
Many powder discharge devices 1 (discharge device 12 is commonly used)
If so, many of them can be omitted. ) Each powder
Each kind of powdered medicine is stored in the container 11
On the other hand, on the downstream side of the supply port 3, the powder discharge corresponding to the supply port 3 is performed.
Of the required amount (for example, one prescription) discharged from the discharge device 1
Appropriate dividing device to divide powder into single doses
And further, packaging them in appropriate packages
If the device is arranged, the whole will handle multiple types of powders.
It is configured as an automatic powder dispenser. This
When configuring an automatic powder dispensing machine, each powder discharge device 1
Motors 23a and 23b (and shared with them)
If there is no motor 26), the motor
Not only will you need a number, but also
When moving the powder discharge device 1, the power cable of each motor
Modules are intricately entangled,
Motors 23a, 23b (motors 26a, 23b
It is preferable to share with. ) Indicates the position corresponding to supply port 3
And only the powder discharge device 1 that comes to that position
It is preferable to configure to connect with a latch. Further
In order to move each powder discharge device 1, any powder discharge
The dispensing device 1 may be moved individually, or may be moved in a group.
You can also move it in a plane,
It can be moved up and down, or it can be
Instead, they can be moved, and in any case,
Using a mechanism to configure the movement mechanism of each powder discharge device 1
It is possible to

[0011]

The present invention is configured as described above.
The powdered medicine stored in each powder ejection device can be automatically supplied from the corresponding supply port by discharging the required amount of each kind without any manual operation of the pharmacist, , Among several types of powder,
It is possible to discharge a required amount of powder of any kind and to supply it automatically from a predetermined supply port, and therefore, it is extremely useful for automating the dispensing operation of powder, and thus, the powder It has an excellent effect that it can play an indispensable role in realizing an automatic powder dispensing and packaging machine that automatically performs operations from the removal operation to the packaging operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a powder supply device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a powder discharge device of the powder supply device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a powdered medicine container of the powdered medicine discharging device of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another embodiment of a powder container.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: powder discharge device 3: supply port 11: powder container 12: discharge device 13: stock unit 14: supply unit 15: discharge unit 16: weighing unit 17: control unit 18: setting unit 19: feed device 21: discharge Member 21a: discharging member 21b: discharging member 22: shutter 23: motor 23a: motor 23b: motor 24: operating member 25: stirring member 26: motor 27: stirring member

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of powder discharge devices for accommodating each type of powder and discharging the required amount of powder, and a supply port for supplying the discharged powder, are provided. A powdered drug supply device, wherein discharge ports are configured to correspond to the supply ports, respectively.