JPH03111202A - Drug packaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make either of taking-out and packaging of drugs manageable simultaneously by providing a plurality of drug storages that store the drugs of various kinds so that the same can be taken out individually, a plurality of packaging devices and a conveying device. CONSTITUTION:The title system is composed of a plurality of drug storages 1a and 1b that store two kinds of drugs A and B so that the same can be taken out individually, a plurality of packaging devices 2a and 2b that package the drugs and a conveying device that conveys the drugs taken out of the drug storages 1a and 1b to the aforementioned packaging devices 2a and 2b. Thereby a plurality of the drugs A and B that are to be packaged in subdivision packs of different systems can be taken out simultaneously from the different drug storages 1a and 1b and can also be packed simultaneously with the different packaging devices 2a and 2b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to drug packaging systems in hospital pharmacies and the like.

[Prior Art] Traditionally, mechanical devices used to automate the packaging of drugs in hospital pharmacies and other facilities that package drugs for the purpose of administering them to individual patients have been used to package tablets into single-dose portions. Automatic tablet packaging machines are well known.

In other words, automatic tablet packaging machines handle many types of tablets and are designed to be able to package each type of tablet individually or in combination for single doses. It is equipped with a large number of tablet feeders that can house and discharge one tablet at a time, and a single packaging device that can separate and package the tablets discharged from any of the tablet feeders. It is constructed.

Therefore, such automatic tablet packaging machines are equipped with multiple shelves spaced apart vertically above the housing, excluding the bottom part.
A plurality of tablet feeders are installed in each column, thereby providing as many tablet feeders as possible, while
Below that, a hopper is installed that collects the tablets discharged from all the tablet feeders in one place, and further below that is a single packaging device that divides the tablets collected by the hopper into single-dose portions. has been done.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, such conventional automatic tablet dispensing machines do not allow a certain patient to receive tablets, for example, before or after meals in the morning, lunch, and evening, and before or after going to bed. When prescribing drug A, which should be taken at regular intervals, and drug B, which should be taken only when a specific symptom appears, such as an analgesic or antipyretic, the package of drug A and the package of drug B should be separated. Since it is preferable that the product be organized in a systematic manner, drug A is successively packaged in a predetermined number of colors in the order of "morning,""lunch,""evening," and "sleep." Or, conversely, after sequentially packaging the required number of packages of drug B, package drug A "in the morning" and "at noon".
The specified number of colors must be wrapped consecutively in the order of "evening" and "sleeping".

Therefore, not only is it not possible to take out medicine A and medicine B at the same time, but also
It is not possible to simultaneously perform the packaging operation for drug B, which is to be a separate package from a different system, and therefore the entire process takes a long time, which cannot be shortened. There were problems such as not being able to do so.

This invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the conventional method, and is a drug packaging system that can simultaneously process the unloading and packaging operations for a plurality of drugs that are to be packaged in different systems. The purpose is to provide the following.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a plurality of drug cabinets that accommodate a wide variety of drugs so that they can be taken out individually, a plurality of packaging devices that package the drugs, and a plurality of packaging devices that package the drugs. and a conveyance device that conveys the medicine taken out from the medicine storage to the plurality of packaging devices.

[Function] By employing the above means, the present invention makes it possible to simultaneously take out a plurality of drugs to be packaged in different systems from separate drug cabinets, and to package them simultaneously using separate packaging devices. Become.

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

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1a and 1b are medicine cabinets in which various kinds of medicines can be taken out individually, 2a and 2b are packaging devices for packaging medicines, 3 is a medicine cabinet 1a, The medicine taken out from 1b is transferred to packaging devices 2a and 2b.
This is a conveyance device that conveys to.

Each medicine storage 1a (lb) has a plurality of tablet feeders 4.
a, 4a, - (4b, 4 b, -) are arranged in a multi-tiered shelf 5a, 5a, ... (5b, 5 b
,・') and tablet feeders 4a, 4a,...(4b,
At least one guide path 6a (6b) that guides the tablet discharged from the guide path 6a (6
b) hopper 7a (7b) installed at the lower end of the
Tablet feeders 4a, 4a,... (4b, 4b,...
) is activated, the tablet ejected from it is
hopper 7a through the corresponding guide path 6a (6b).
(7b).

Further, in the medicine storages 1a and 1b, a hopper 7a of the medicine storage 1a is provided.
A selection member 18 is provided to select from which of the hopper 7b of the medicine storage 1b and the hopper 7b of the medicine storage 1b the medicine should be taken out.

The packaging device 2a (2b) includes a long packaging sheet 8a (8b) made of paper or other appropriate material, and a packaging sheet 8a.
A partitioning member 9a (9b) that divides the double stacked portions of (8b) into appropriate lengths to form compartments 10a (10b) of a size suitable for accommodating tablets.
and a sealing member 11a (llb) for sealing the compartment 10a (10b) into which the tablet is inserted,
(10b), when sealed, forms a packaging bag 12a (12b) containing the required amount of tablets.

Furthermore, the packaging devices 2a and 2b are provided with a selection member 19 for selecting which of the compartments 10a of the packaging device 2a and the compartment 10b of the packaging device 2b to put the medicine into.

The conveyor 3 includes a conveyor 15 that moves between a receiving position 213 corresponding to the selection member 18 of the medicine cabinets 1a, 1b and an input position 14 corresponding to the selection member 19 of the packaging device 2a, 2b, The conveyor 15 is formed with drug storage portions 16, 16, . . . at appropriate intervals along the direction of movement thereof.

These medicine storages 1a, 1b, packaging devices 2a, 2
b and the transport device 3 are all controlled by the system controller 1.
7.

Next, the operation of the above will be explained.

Any medicine A (B) stored in medicine storage 1a (lb)
When packaging, the system controller 17 first selects the corresponding medicine cabinet 1a (lb) using the selection member 18, and then selects the medicine cabinet 1a (lb) selected by the selection member 18.
The tablet feeder 4a (4b) corresponding to (lb) is operated to discharge the drug A (B) by the number of tablets required for the first color.

Then, the tablets A (B) pass through the guide path 6a (6b) and are collected in the hopper 7a (7b), and the receiver is stored in the drug storage section 16 (11) of the conveyor 15 located at the pick-up position 13.

In response to this, the system controller 17
5 to move the medicine storage section 16i1+ forward.

Next, the system controller 17 operates the tablet feeder 4a (4b) again to discharge the medicine A (B) by the number of tablets required for the next color.

Then, the tablets A (B) pass through the guide path 6a (6b) and are collected in the hopper 7a (7b), and the receiver is stored in the next medicine storage section 16■ of the conveyor 15 located at the pick-up position 13. .

In response to this, the system controller 17
5 is activated again to advance the medicine storage section 16■.

Then, the medicine storage part 16 (11) located in front of the medicine storage part 16 (21) also moves forward at the same time.

In this way, the medicine A (B) is stored one package at a time in the medicine storage section 16 one after another, and moves forward toward the packaging devices 2a and 2b.

Before the necessary number of packages of medicine A (B) are all stored in the medicine storage part 16, the medicine storage part 16 (1
1 reaches the input position 14 corresponding to the selection member 19 of the packaging devices 2a, 2b, the system controller 1
7 first selects one of the packaging devices 2a and 2b using the selection member 19, and then operates the packaging device 2a (2b) selected by the selection member 19 to release the medicine stored in the medicine storage section 16i11. A (B) is a packaging sheet 8a formed by partition members 9a (9b).
(8b) into the compartment 10 all (10 b (11)), and then seal the compartment 10 a (11 (10bill)) with the sealing member 11 a (llb), and pack the packaging bag 12 a (11 (12 bll)). form.

Next, when the second drug storage section 16 (z) reaches the input position 14 by the operation of the conveyor 15, the system controller 17 operates the packaging device 2a (2b) again to fill the second drug storage section 16 (z). Drug A (B
) into the next compartment 10a (10b), and the sealing member 11a (llb) closes the compartment 10.
a(21(1obtz>) and packaging bag 12a
(2) Form (12b■).

In this way, all the required number of packages of medicine A (B) are packed by the packaging device 2a (2b) into the compartment 10a (1
0b) and are sequentially sealed to form a packaging bag 12a (12b).

In addition, all the necessary number of packages of medicine A (B) are stored in the medicine storage section 1.
When the medicine storage part 6 is finished, the medicine storage part 1 located at the forefront
6 (11) has not reached the input position 14 corresponding to the selection member 19 of the packaging devices 2a, 2b, unless the packaging of the next drug C is urgent, the system controller 17
operates the conveyance device 3 and moves the medicine container 1 located at the frontmost position.
6 (11) until the conveyor 15 reaches the input position 14.
feed continuously.

Then, the system controller 17 uses the packaging device 2a (2b) to pack all the required number of packages of the medicine A (B), starting from the medicine A (B) stored in the frontmost medicine storage section 16 (11). The compartments 10a (10b) are sequentially sealed to form packaging bags 12a (12b).

For example, a certain patient may be asked to take medicine A, which should be taken before or after each meal (morning, lunch, and dinner) and before going to bed, as well as medication for specific symptoms, such as analgesics or antipyretics. When prescribing medicine B and medicine that should be taken only when they appear, store both medicines A and B in separate medicine cabinets (for example, medicine A in medicine cabinet 1a,
The medicine B is stored in the medicine storage 1b) and processed as follows.

That is, the system controller 17 first selects the medicine storage 1a using the selection member 18, and then selects the medicine storage 1a.
Activate the corresponding tablet feeder 4a to feed 1 drug A.
Four tablets per day are sequentially discharged according to the number of tablets required for each color, and then the medicine storage 1b is selected using the selection member 18, and the corresponding tablet feeder 4b of the medicine storage 1b is activated to fill one medicine storage. The necessary amount is discharged for each color, and such a take-out operation is performed one day at a time.

With the operation of the conveyor 16, the medicine A discharged in this way is transferred to the medicine storage section 16 (11, 16 (2), 16 (3), 1
6(4), and the medicine B is stored in the medicine storage section 16(5) and simultaneously transported by the transport device 3 toward the packaging devices 2a and 2b.

Then, when the medicine storage section 16fll located at the forefront reaches the loading position 14 corresponding to the selection member 19, the system controller 17 first selects one of the packaging devices f2a and 2b (for example, packaging device 2a) by the selection member 19.
> is selected, the packaging device 2a is activated, and the medicine A stored in the medicine storage section 16a (11) is put into the compartment 10a(1) of the packaging sheet 8a formed by the division member 9a. In addition, the compartment 10aill is sealed by the sealing member 11a, and the packaging bag 12 is sealed.
Form a fil.

In addition, with the operation of the conveyor 16, the second to fourth drug storage sections 16 (2), 16 (31, 164)
Every time the loading position 14 corresponding to the selection member 19 is reached, the system controller 17 operates the packaging device 2a selected by the selection member 19 to fill the medicine storage section 16.
[21, 16 (31, 16 The medicine A contained in G41 is sequentially introduced into the compartments 10af21.10a(3) and 10a(4) of the packaging sheet 8a formed by the compartment member 9a, and then the sealing member The compartments 10a121.10a (31, 10ac41) are sealed by
are formed sequentially.

Next, with the operation of the conveyor 16, when the fifth medicine storage section 16 (51) reaches the input position 14 corresponding to the selection member 19, the system controller 17 causes the selection member 18 to select the other packaging device 2b. After selecting, the packaging device 2b is operated to transfer the medicine B stored in the fifth medicine storage section 16 (9) to the compartment 10b (11) of the packaging sheet 8b formed by the division member 9b.
The packaging bag 12 b (1
form 1.

Thereafter, by repeating this process, all the required number of packages of medicines A and B are sequentially sealed in compartments 10a and 10b for single doses by packaging devices 2a and 2b, respectively, and packaging bags 12a of different systems are used. , 12b.

In the above embodiment, two medicine cabinets 1a and 1b are provided, but the selection member 18 is not limited to this.
It may be provided in the transport device 3 instead of the medicine storages 1a, 1b, or it may be provided independently from any of the medicine storages 1a, 1b and the transport device 3. Moreover, as the selection member 18,
Any suitable material can be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the medicine storage 1a (lb) includes a plurality of tablet feeders 4a, 4a, . . . (4b, 4b,
...) are removably arranged side by side.
,...-(5b, 5 b,...) are installed.For example, as a method of installing these shelves 5a, 5a,...(5b, 5b,...), all the shelves 5a, 5a,...・(
5b, 5b, . . .) may be fixed types extending left and right, or shelves 5a, 5a, . . .
5b, 5b, ·) are provided in two rows, front and rear, and tM5 in the rear row
a, 5a, -(5b, 5b, . . .) are fixed, while the front row shelves 5a, 5a, . . . (5b, 5b, .
...) may be made so that the left and right lengths are approximately 1/2 that of those in the back row so that they can be moved left and right, or the shelves 5a, 5a, ... (5b, 5b, ...) extending back and forth may be made horizontally movable.・) may be made to be able to be pulled out toward the front, or shelves 5a, 5a, -(5b, 5b, . . . ) extending back and forth may be used.
・) may be moved left and right like a movable shelf,
In both the case of the pull-out type and the movable shelf type, the shelves 5a, 5a, -(5b, 5b, . . .) extending back and forth can be configured with at least one row, but preferably, multiple rows are provided on the left and right. 1
It can be configured to be pulled out one row at a time, or two rows at a time, or moved from side to side.

Further, in the above embodiment, the medicine storage 1a (lb) has at least one guide path 6a for guiding the tablets discharged from the tablet feeders 4a, 4a, . . . (4b, 4b, .) downward.
(6b) and a hopper 7a (7b) installed at the lower end of the guideway 6a (6b), but these guideways 6a
(6b) and the hopper 7a (7b), for example, the shelves 5a, 5a, -(5b, 5b, -
) may be divided into a plurality of guide paths 6 along the length direction, or if two or more rows of shelves 5a, 5a, -(5b, 5b, .) are provided, each row or two It is preferable to provide a separate guideway 6a (6b) for each row, and in this way, a separate guideway 6a (6b) is provided for each row.
(6b), a single hopper 7a (7b) common to them can be provided, and each guideway 6a
(6b) Independent hopper for each? a (7b) can be provided, respectively, and shelves 5a, 5a, (5b, 5b)
,...) are of a pull-out type or a movable shelf type, it is preferable to provide a hopper 7a (7b) for each drawer body or each movable shelf, and furthermore, the guide path 6a (6b
) is not limited to a chute for simply dropping the tablets, but may also be equipped with an appropriate conveyance means. In any of the above cases, the opening at the lower end of the guide path 6a (6b) is formed to the required size. If the hopper 7a (
7b) is not necessary.

Further, in the above embodiment, two packaging devices 2a and 2b are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the selection member 19 may be provided in the conveyance device 3 instead of the packaging devices 2a and 2b. The selection member 19 may be provided independently from any of the packaging devices 2a, 2b and the conveyance device 3, and any suitable selection member 19 may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the packaging bag ff12a (2b) includes a long packaging sheet 8a (8) made of paper or other appropriate material.
b) and the packaging sheet 8a (8b) are stacked double and divided into appropriate lengths to form compartments 10a (10b) of a size suitable for accommodating the tablets. compartment member 9a (9b), and compartment 1 into which tablets are placed.
Sealing member 11a (1lb) that seals 0a (10b)
Although the packaging bag 12a (12b) containing the required amount of one tablet is formed when the compartment 10a (10b) is sealed, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the medicine may be contained in a blister pack or other suitable container and sealed tightly.

Further, in the above embodiment, the conveyor 15 is provided in the conveying device 3 to move between the receiving position 13 corresponding to the selection member 18 and the input position 14 corresponding to the selection member 19.
For example, the conveyor 15 whose movement path includes the receiving position 13 corresponding to the selection member 18 is not limited to this.
(11) and a conveyor 15 (21 whose movement path includes an input position 14 corresponding to the selection member 19) are configured separately, and the medicine is transferred from the former to the latter directly or via another conveyor 15 (31, etc.). Alternatively, in the case of one conveyor 15, a plurality of conveyors 15 (11, 11,
15 (, 15 (31)), if necessary, an appropriate upward slope or rising part can be provided in the middle of the receiver so that the receiving position is higher than the receiving position.

Further, in the above embodiment, the conveyor 15 of the conveying device 3 is provided with drug storage portions 16, 16 at appropriate intervals along the moving direction thereof.
,... were formed, but these drug storage parts 16.16
For example, the receiver may have a recessed shape with a partition wall around it and an open top, or a receiver may have a hollow shape whose top is covered with a lid except at the receiving and loading positions. It can be made into a 6-shaped one or any other suitable shape.

In addition, the system controller 17 also controls the medicine cabinets 1a and 1b.
It is preferable to use a computer-controlled system that is combined with sensors of various parts provided in the packaging devices 2a, 2b and the conveyance device 3 to operate them according to a predetermined operating procedure.

Furthermore, although tablets were exemplified as medicines in the above examples,
It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this, and that various changes and modifications of the above embodiments can be made.

[Effects of the Invention] Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to simultaneously take out a plurality of drugs to be packaged in different systems from separate drug cabinets, and to package them simultaneously using separate packaging devices. Therefore, it has excellent effects such as being able to perform both the drug removal operation and the packaging operation at the same time.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. 1a, 1b...Medicine storage 2a, 2b...Packaging device 3...Transport device 4a, 4b...Tablet feeder 5a, 5b...Shelf 6a, 6b...Guide path 7
a, 7b... Hoppers 8a, 8b... Packaging sheets 9a, 9b... Compartment members 10a, 10b... Compartment chambers 11a, llb... Sealing members 12a, 12 b-... Packaging bag 13 ...The receiver is at the receiving position 14...The input position is 15.
... Conveyor 16 ... Chemical storage section 17 ...
system controller

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of drug cabinets that store various types of drugs in a manner that they can be taken out individually, a plurality of packaging devices that package the drugs, and a conveyance device that transports the drugs taken out from the plurality of drug cabinets to the plurality of packaging devices. A drug packaging system characterized by comprising: