Searching PAJ
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`PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN
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`(11)Publication number :
`
`2000-103404
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`(43)Date of publication of application : 11.04.2000
`r..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
`
`(51)Int.Cl.
`
`3653 1/30
`
`(21)Application number : 10-275656
`(22)Date of filing :
`29.09.1998
`
`(71)Applicant : SANYO ELECTRIC CO LTD
`(72)Inventor : UEMA SHINYA
`INAMURA TADAO
`
`
`
`(54) MEDICINE FEED DEVICE
`
`(57)Abstract:
`PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve medicine preparing
`operation efficiencies.
`SOLUTION: In the medicine feed device, a plurality of tablet
`cases 3 each having a storage container 51 for storing
`medicine and a discharge drum 53 for discharging medicine
`from the container 51 are placed in the case storage section
`of the main body of the device. And a motor 61 for driving the
`drum 53 and a control device for controlling the operation of
`the motor 61 are provided, and the control device causes the
`motor 61 to normally rotate, thereby discharging medicine.
`The control device further includes a means to sense clogging
`of medicine, and when clogging of medicine occurs, the
`control device causes the motor to reversely rotate and then
`
`causes it to normally rotate.
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`

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`JP,2000~103404,A [CLAIM]
`
`* NOTICES *
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`1 / 1
`
`JPO and INPIT are not responsible for any
`damages caused by the use of this translation.
`
`l.This document has been translated by computer. So the translation may not reflect the original
`precisely.
`2.**** shows the word which can not be translated.
`
`3.In the drawings, any words are not translated.
`
`
`
`
`CLAIMS
`
`[Claim(s)]
`[Claim l]ln a medicine feeder which stores two or more tablet cases which have a stowage container
`which stores drugs, and a discharge drum which discharges drugs from this stowage container to a
`case storage part of a main part,
`A medicine feeder which is provided with the following and characterized by rotating it normally since
`this control device reverses the aforementioned motor when rotate the aforementioned motor
`
`normally and drugs are discharged, and it has a means to detect drugs plugging and drugs plugging
`arises.
`
`A motor for driving the aforementioned discharge drum.
`A control device which controls operation of this motor.
`
`[Claim 2]The medicine feeder according to claim 1, wherein the aforementioned control device
`repeats operation normally rotated since the aforementioned motor is reversed two or more times.
`[Claim 3]The medicine feeder according to claim 1 or 2 when it is [the aforementioned control device
`] in a drugs plugging state after performing operation normally rotated since the aforementioned
`motor is reversed, wherein it performs predetermined alarm operation.
`[Claim 4]Claim 1, wherein the aforementioned control device detects drugs plugging by detecting a
`locked state based on a conducting current to the aforementioned motor thru/or a medicine feeder
`of Claim 3.
`
`
`
`[Translation done]
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`

`

`JP,2000~103404,A [DETAILED DESCRIPTION]
`
`* NOTICES *
`
`JPO and WP” are not responsible for any
`damages caused by the use of this translation.
`
`l.This document has been translated by computer. So the translation may not reflect the original
`precisely.
`2.**** shows the word which can not be translated.
`
`3.In the drawings, any words are not translated.
`
`
`
`[Detailed Description of the Invention]
`[0001]
`[Field of the Invention]The present invention relates to the medicine feeder with which only the
`quantity specified with the prescription supplies the drugs stored by the tablet case to a container (a
`bottle, a bag) etc. in a hospital etc.
`[0002]
`[Description of the Prior Art]ln a hospital or a dispensing pharmacy, the patient is conventionally
`provided with the drugs prescribed by the medical practitioner using the **** medicine feeder (in a
`gazette, the tablet packaging machine is called) shown, for example in JP,857-5282,Y (86531/30). By
`the starting system, from the discharge drum (aligning panel is called in the aforementioned gazette)
`in a tablet case, a piece every, it discharges, and after that, it collects with a hopper and the drugs (a
`tablet, a capsule, etc.) of the quantity described in the prescription are packed.
`[0003]The tablet detection sensor which detects the tablet discharged by the tablet case (tablet
`receiving vessel), for example by JP,862-40881,Y, A display device is provided, a tablet case serves
`as empty, when a tablet is no longer discharged, or when a tablet is got blocked, based on the
`detecting operation of a sensor, abnormalities are displayed on a display device, and he was trying to
`suspend operation.
`[0004]
`[Problem to be solved by the invention]However, at the former, when tablet plugging arose like the
`above—mentioned, by some which perform an abnormality display, and supply the drugs of a seed
`especially in large numbers since it was only suspending operation, the number of times that tablet
`plugging occurred also increased, and there was a problem on which dispensing operating efficiency
`gets worse remarkably.
`[0005]The present invention is accomplished in order to solve starting conventional technical
`problem, and the medicine feeder which can improve the efficiency of dispensing operation is
`provided.
`[0006]
`[Means for solving problem]The medicine feeder of the present invention the tablet case which has a
`stowage container which stores drugs, and a discharge drum which discharges drugs from this
`stowage container, Store more than one to the case storage part of a main part, grow into it, have a
`motor for driving a discharge drum, and a control device which controls operation of this motor, and
`this control device, Since a motor is reversed, it is made to rotate normally, when rotate a motor
`normally and drugs are discharged, and it has a means to detect drugs plugging and drugs plugging
`arises.
`
`[0007]The medicine feeder of invention of Claim 2 repeats the operation normally rotated since a
`control device reverses a motor in the above two or more times.
`
`[0008]In the medicine feeder which stores two or more stowage containers which store drugs, and
`tablet cases which have a discharge drum which discharges drugs from this stowage container to the
`case storage part of a main part according to the present invention, Have a motor for driving a
`discharge drum, and a control device which controls operation of this motor, and this control device,
`Since a motor is reversed and it is made to rotate normally when rotate a motor normally and drugs
`are discharged, and it has a means to detect drugs plugging and drugs plugging arises, a discharge
`drum can be normally reversed and rotated by an inversion and normal rotation of the motor to apply,
`and the caught drugs can be dropped.
`[0009]Since an inversion and a normal rotation action are especially repeated two or more times by
`Claim 2, fall of drugs can be urged much more effectively. Drugs plugging can be eliminated
`automatically by this, without suspending operation, and a remarkable improvement of dispensing
`operating efficiency can be aimed at now.
`
`ma.»- m;
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`jP,2000~103404,A [DETAILED DESCRIPTION]
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`[00101When it is in a drugs plugging state after the medicine feeder of invention of Claim 3 performs
`operation normally rotated since a control device reverses a motor in the above, it performs
`predetermined alarm operation.
`[0011]According to invention of Claim 3, in addition to the above, a control device, When it is in a
`drugs plugging state after performing operation normally rotated since a motor is reversed, When
`plugging of drugs never eliminates even if it reverses and rotates a discharge drum normally since it
`was made to perform predetermined alarm operation, drugs plugging can be reported to a user and a
`quick maintenance can be urged.
`[0012]The medicine feeder of invention of Claim 4 detects drugs plugging, when a control device
`detects a locked state based on the conducting current to a motor in the above.
`[0013]According to invention of Claim 4, in addition to the above, a control device, Since drugs
`plugging was detected by detecting a locked state based on the conducting current to a motor, For
`example, as compared with the case where drugs plugging is detected because drugs do not fall,
`distinction with the case where the drugs in a stowage container become empty becomes clear, and it
`becoraies possible to avoid generating of a false alarm beforehand.
`[0014
`[Mode for carrying out the invention]Hereafter, based on Drawings, the embodiment of the present
`invention is explained in full detail. The perspective view of the medicine feeder 1 of the present
`invention in the state where Fig.1 opened one flap units 2, The partial fluoroscopy side view of the
`medicine feeder 1
`in the state where Fig.2 opened the flap units 2 of another side, As for the
`perspective view and Fig.4 for which Fig.3 describes the internal structure of the medicine feeder 1 of
`the present invention, the perspective view of the tablet case 3 and the Fig.6 of the expansion
`vertical section side view of the medicine feeder 1 of shelf 26 portion and Fig.5 are the exploded
`perspective views of the tablet case 3 of mass (L).
`[0015]The medicine feeder 1 of the present invention is installed in a hospital, a dispensing pharmacy,
`etc., and The main part 7 of oblong rectangular shape, The body side case storage part 8 set up by
`the upper surface 7A rear part of this main part 7, and the flap units 2 and 2 whose movement to the
`double doors opening outward which blockade the front opening of this body side case storage part 8
`freely openable/closable was enabled, It is supposed that it is freely attachable/detachable at the
`main part 7 aforementioned back face, and it comprises the extension unit 9 etc. which are attached
`in option according to a situation. The hopper 11 extended up is provided by the upper part in the
`aforementioned main part 7, and the shutter 12 is attached to the lower end of this hopper 11. The
`packaging machine 13 is provided in the lower main part 7 of the hopper 11, and the drugs discharged
`from the hopper 1 1 are packed with the wrapping paper of the rolled form which is not illustrated
`installed aslant, and it sends out from the output port 14.
`[0016]On the other hand, the opening of the aforementioned body side case storage part 8 is carried
`out to the front face, and left and right laterals at least are blockaded by the transparent walls 16,
`such as glass or resin. Behind the body side case storage part 8, the main part side shot 22 is formed
`up and down over overall width between the partition plate 21 and the backboard 20. The bottom
`surfaces 23 and 23 (Egg) inclined so that it might narrow toward the upper limb both sides of the
`aforementioned hopper 11 from the right and left ends of the body side case storage part 8 are
`formed in the both-sides lower part of this main part side shot 22. And corresponding to the hopper
`11 upper part, the opening of between both the bottom surfaces 23 and 23 is carried out, and the
`shutter 24 is attached to the upper surface 7A of the main part 7 of the position corresponding to
`this opening.
`[0017]And two or more steps of shelves 26 are constructed over the above—mentioned partition plate
`21, and the tablet case mentioned later is attached to the shelf 26. The passage 30 which has the
`opening 18 on the upper surface consists a predetermined interval in the portion corresponding to the
`back side of each shelf 26 over right and left, and are formed in it. [two or more ] This passage 30
`inclines iow in the method of the back, and the aforementioned main part side shot 22 is
`communicated, and the connector 17 is provided by the partition plate 21 of the position
`corresponding to the method of the back of each opening 18, respectively.
`[0018]As the aforementioned tablet case, the tablet case 3 of mass (L) and the tablet case 4 of small
`capacity (S) are prepared, and, as for the capacity of the tablet case 3, the capacity of 500 cc and
`the tablet case 4 is set as 250 co in the working example. the vertical dimension of the stowage
`container 51 which the structure of the tablet case 3 and the tablet case 4 mentions later —— only
`differing (the tablet case 4 is small) -- it is -- since -— the following describes about the tablet case
`3.
`
`[00191The tablet case 3 comprises the stowage container 51 which comprises transparent hard
`synthetic resin, and the driving tables 52, as shown in Fig.5 and Fig.6.The opening of the
`aforementioned stowage container 51 is carried out to the upper surface, and it fills up drugs from
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`JP,2000"103404,A [DETAILED DESCRIPTION]
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`this opening. The discharge drum 53 is attached to the position biased to the back side at the lower
`part in the stowage container 51, enabling free rotation. The upper surface of this discharge drum 53
`is made into the conic surface where the center upheaved, and the slot of the vertical direction of
`two or more sections which is not illustrated is further formed in that side surface. Drugs enter into
`this inside of a slot, and it is discharged a piece every with rotation of the discharge drum 53. The
`engagement hole 56 where the driving shaft 57 mentioned later is engaged is formed in the center of
`a bottom surface of the discharge drum 53.
`[0020]54 divides this slot up and down, and is a brush for discharging a piece every about drugs. The
`side surface 51A of the near side of the stowage container 51 inclines so that the back side may
`become low towards this discharge drum 53. The side surface 51B by the side of the back of the
`stowage container 51 inclines slightly so that it may be along the aforementioned passage 30 and the
`bottom may serve as the back. The residue sensor 58 which comprises reflection type infrared
`photosensor is attached to the lower part of this side surface 518. This residue sensor 58 is set to
`the position of predetermined height from the discharge drum 53 upper surface by being attached to
`the tablet case 3 and the cassette which comprised an object for the tablet cases 4 two kinds, and
`attaching this cassette to the stowage container 51 removably.
`[0021]The motor 61 which was placed on the aforementioned driving tables 52 on the other hand at
`the near side, The reduction gearbox 62 which slows down rotation of this motor 61, the
`aforementioned driving shaft 57 which was placed at the back side, the aforementioned reduction
`gearbox 62 and the gear 63 for transmission (transmission mechanism) which interposes between the
`driving shafts 57, the substrate 64, the medicine detection sensor 66 that comprises photosensor,
`etc. are attached. the indicator (LED) 67, the memory 68, etc. which are mentioned later are attached
`to the aforementioned substrate 64 -- the driving tables 52 —'- it is most set up by the near side. The
`discharge port 69 of rectangular shape penetrates to the inner of the driving tables 52 up and down,
`and is formed in it, the aforementioned medicine detection sensor 66 is attached to the
`circumference of this discharge port 69, and the drugs which pass the discharge port 69 are
`detected. The connector 71 is formed in the side surface by the side of the back of the driving tables
`52, and wire connection is carried out to the motor 61 or the substrate 64.
`[0022]And the stowage container 51 is attached to the driving tables 52 to apply freely
`attachable/detachable from a top. Both combination is attained by a screw or freely
`attachable/detachable fit. At this time, the aforementioned driving shaft 57 is advanced and engaged
`in the engagement hole 56 of the aforementioned discharge drum 53, and the discharge port 69
`corresponds to the aforementioned Mizoshita side of the discharge drum 53. Wire connection of the
`residue sensor 58 is carried out to the connector 71 or the substrate 64, and the motor 61 is placed
`below the side surface 51A of the stowage container 51. Reduction of the overall dimension of the
`tablet case 3 is achieved the motor 61 being arranged by this using the dead space of the inclined
`side surface 51A lower part, and securing the volume of the stowage container 51 by it.
`[0023]By providing the motor 61 etc. at the tablet case 3 side, it becomes possible to make thin the
`shelf 26 of the body side case storage part 8, and simplification of the structure by the side of a case
`storage part and increase of the number of storage of the tablet case 3 (or 4) can be aimed at now.
`Since the stowage container 51 and the driving tables 52 are used as a separate body and are
`mutually made freely attachable/detachable, when the driving tables 52 break down, they can be fixed
`in the state where it removed from the stowage container 51. When exchange is needed, can
`exchange the stowage container 51 for the driving tables 52 independently, and maintainability is
`improved, and reduction of the cost at the time of exchange can also be aimed at.
`[0024]And the tablet cases 3 and 4 to apply are installed side by side on the aforementioned shelf 26.
`In this case, as shown in Egg, the substrate 64 of the tablet case 3 (or 4) is made into a near side,
`where the discharge port 69 is carried out the back side, as an arrow shows, it inserts on the shelf 26
`from a near side, and insertion connecting of the connector 71 is carried out to the connector 17 by
`the side of the main part 7 freely attachable/detachable. Wire connection of the driving tables 52 is
`carried out to the electric circuit by the side of the main part 7 by this.
`[0025]The discharge port 69 corresponds on the opening 18 of the passage 30, and by this, through
`the discharge port 69, the drugs discharged from the discharge drum 53 the piece every will go into
`the passage 30, will pass through that, and will fall from the opening 18 to the main part side shot 22.
`When the discharge drum 53 is biasing to the back side below the stowage container 51, where the
`tablet case 3 is attached, the discharge port 69 will be placed at the main part side shot 22 side like
`Egg. Therefore, come to be able to shorten the passage 30 between the main part side shot 22 and
`the discharge port 69, and it becomes improvable [the volume efficiency by reduction of invalid
`volume ] also by this, and the time which drugs discharge takes can be shortened.
`[0026]On the other hand, in the aforementioned flap units 2 and 2, the door side case storage part 33
`is formed, respectively. The opening of each door side case storage part 33 and 33 is carried out to
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`jP,2000~103404,A {DETAILED DESCRIPTION]
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`the front face, and the front opening is blockaded freely openable/closable by the transparent door
`34. And left and right laterals are concealed with the steel plate etc. Two or more shelves 26 of the
`same structure as the above—mentioned shall be constructed over these left and right laterals with
`the predetermined interval up and down. Behind the door side case storage parts 33 and 33, the door
`side chute 37 is formed up and down over the overall width of each flap units 2 and 2 between the
`partition plate 36 of a front side, and the backboard 35. The bottom surfaces 38 and 38 inclined so
`that it might narrow respectively toward the upper limb both sides of the aforementioned hopper 1 1
`from the end of the outside of each door side case storage part 33 and 33 are formed in the lower
`part of each door side chute 37 and 37. And each flap units 2 and 2 carry out the opening of between
`both the bottom surfaces 38 and 38 via the bore of the upper surface 7A corresponding to the
`hopper 11 upper part, where the front opening of the body side case storage part 8 is closed, and the
`shutter 39 is attached to the upper surface 7A of the position corresponding to this opening.
`[0027]The structure (the opening 18, the passage 30, the connector 17) same also to the partition
`plate 36 of each door side case storage part 33 and 33 as the above-mentioned is provided, and two
`or more tablet cases 3 (or 4) are attached by the same system also as the shelf 26. The passage 30
`of this door side case storage part 33 communicates the door side chute 37.
`[0028]After the flap units 2 and 2 have closed, the additional medicine feeder 46 for supplying
`additional drugs arbitrarily is provided by the upper surface 7A of the main part 7 which is placed at
`that front side, and from this feeder 46, the passage 47 has extended in the hopper 11. 45 is covering
`of this feeder 46. 50 is covering which closes the aforementioned bore (the door side chute 37 and
`the hopper 11 are communicated) of the upper surface 7A, when the flap units 2 and 2 are opened
`wide.
`
`[0029]On the other hand, the aforementioned extension unit 9 is attached to the back face of the
`main part 2, for example in accordance with expansion of the scale of a hospital etc., it is a unit for
`extending the tablet cases 3 and 4, and the extension side case storage part 41 is provided by the
`upper part. The left and right laterals of this extension side case storage part 41 are also blockaded
`in transparent walls, such as glass or resin, and the shelf 26 same also in this extension side case
`storage part 41 is constructed.
`[0030]The extension side shot 42 is formed up and down by the front part of the extension side case
`storage part 41 over overall width between the dark room 55 and the partition plate 60. The bottom
`surface inclined so that it might narrow toward the upper limb both sides of the aforementioned
`hopper 11 also in the both-sides lower part of this extension side shot 42 from the right and left ends
`of the extension side case storage part 41 is formed. And the opening between both bottom surfaces
`is in the state where the extension unit 9 concerned was attached to the main part 2, It corresponds
`to the bore formed in the rear face of the main part 2 which is placed at a hopper 11 upper-end rear
`part, and, as for the extension side shot 42, the shutter 43 of the structure same to the
`aforementioned opening as the above-mentioned is attached to the hopper 11 by this with
`communication.
`
`[0031]And the structure (the opening 18, the passage 30, the connector 17) same also to the
`partition plate 60 of the extension side case storage part 41 as the above~mentioned is provided, and
`two or more tablet cases 3 (or 4) are attached by the same system also as the shelf 26. The passage
`30 of this extension side case storage part 41 communicates the extension side shot 42. Wire
`connection of the extension unit 9 is electrically carried out to the main part side in the state where
`it was attached to the main part 2.
`[0032]The extension unit 9 is supported pivotably by the main part 7 with the hinge 72, enabling free
`rotation, and is made freely openable/closable [ each dark room 55 and the backboards 20 and 35 ],
`and is improving maintainability. The drawer of the hopper 11 or the packaging machine 13 is made
`free from the main part 7 (figfi).
`.7 - Fig.12, it verifies about whether which large and small tablet
`[0033]Here, with reference to Fl
`cases 3 and 4 are stored to each above-mentioned case storage part 8, 33, 33, and 41.1t is a graph
`which shows whether the Figéi can cover how much business by the kind (it is an equivalent for
`abbreviation to the number of tablet cases) of drugs, and if 150 type of drugs can be stored so that
`clearly also from this figure, it can respond to 80% of drugs supply business.
`[0034]It turns out that Fig.12 shows the relation between the kind of drugs, and the capacity of a
`tablet case, and can respond to almost all drugs with 250 cc, and it can deal also with the drugs
`which need 1000 cc by using two of them with 500 cc further. Then, in the working example, the
`capacity of 500 cc and the tablet case 4 is set as 250 cc for the capacity of the tablet case 3 like
`the above-mentioned.
`
`[0035]Next, Fig.9 and Fig.10 show the total capacity at the time of storing the tablet cases 3 and 4 to
`each case storage part 8, 33, 33, and 41.1n the door side case storage part 33, the tablet case 3 70
`pieces (mg), The 90 tablet cases 4 can be stored, in the body side case storage part 8 and the
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`jP,2000“103404,A [DETAILED DESCRIPTION]
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`extension side case storage part 41, 140 pieces (70x2) shall be stored for the tablet case 3, and the
`tablet case 4 shall store 180 pieces (90x2), respectively. fig?) shows the left half of the body side
`case storage part 8, and is equivalent to the door side case storage part 33 of a piece.
`[0036](1) of each figure shows the case where only the tablet case 4 of small capacity (8) is stored
`in all the case storage parts 8, 33, and 33 and 41, (2) stores only the tablet case 3 of mass (L) in the
`door side case storage part 33 and 33, and the case where only the tablet case 4 of small capacity
`(8) is stored is shown in the body side case storage part 8 and the extension side case storage part
`41. (3) stores only the tablet case 3 of mass (L) in the door side case storage parts 33 and 33 and
`the extension side case storage part 41, The case where only the tablet case 4 of small capacity (8)
`is stored in the body side case storage part 8 is shown, and (4) shows the case where only the tablet
`case 3 of mass (L) is stored in all the case storage parts 8, 33, and 33 and 41.
`[0037]In the above (1), the 540 tablet cases (they are 360 pieces when there is no extension unit 9) 4
`can be stored, and, in the case of (2), the 500 tablet cases (they are 320 pieces when there is no
`extension unit 9) 3 and 4 can be stored. In the case of (3), the 4in tablet cases (they are 320 pieces
`when there is no extension unit 9) 3 and 4 can be stored, and, in the case of (4), the 420 tablet cases
`(they are 280 pieces when there is no extension unit 9) 3 can be stored.
`[0038]Although the drugs used comparatively in large quantities will be stored to the mass tablet
`case 3, If this is stored to the body side case storage part 8 or the extension side case storage part
`41, the flap units 2 and 2 must be frequently opened wide at the time of a supplement of drugs, or it
`must stop having to open the extension unit 9, and work will become very troublesome. Since it is
`surely necessary to double the interval of the shelf 26 with the mass tablet case 3 if the mass tablet
`case 3 and the tablet case 4 of small capacity are made intermingled in one case storage part, a gap
`is made above the tablet case 4 of small capacity, and volume efficiency is deteriorated.
`[0039]When these are taken into consideration, in what is called a general hospital with many drugs
`kinds to treat, it is a form (only the mass tablet case 3 to the door side case storage parts 33 and 33)
`of (2). I store and 1 the body side case storage part 8 and the extension side case storage part 41 --
`the tablet case 4 of small capacity ~~ storing -— it being desirable and, In the hospital of single **
`with few drugs kinds to treat, it turns out that the form (only the mass tablet case 3 is stored to all
`the case storage parts 8, 33, 33, and 41) of (4) is desirable.
`[OO40]Next, Figi3 shows the block diagram of the electric circuit of the medicine feeder 1. The
`packaging machine and the shutter are omitted in this case. In this figure, 76 is the control device
`provided by the main part 7, and is constituted by the general-purpose microcomputer. The motor 31
`of each tablet case 3 and 4 is connected to the control device 76 via the control circuit 77. 78 is an
`overcurrent sensing circuit which detects the conducting current to the motor 31 via the control
`circuit 77, and the output is input into the control device 76.
`[0041]The medicine detection sensor 66 of the tablet cases 3 and 4 is input into the control device
`76 via the detector circuit 79. 81 is a circuit which detects the dirt of the medicine detection sensor
`66. The residue sensor 58 of the tablet cases 3 and 4 is also input into the control device 76 via the
`detector circuit 82, and the aforementioned indicator 67 is connected to the control device 76 via the
`display circuit 83. The detector circuit 82 is also connected to the display circuit 83.
`[0042]The aforementioned memory 68 of the tablet cases 3 and 4 which comprise nonvolatile ROM is
`also connected to the control device 76. ID information, such as a medicine code about the kind of
`drugs stored to the identification data of the tablet cases 3 and 4 concerned and the stowage
`container 51 and a correspondence medicine format, is previously written in this memory 68. It is
`connected to the external personal computer 84 by a RS—2320 cable etc., and the control device 76
`performs transmission and reception of this personal computer 84 and data.
`[0043]The directions of the medicine feeder 1 of the present invention and operation are described
`with the above composition. In a powering~*on state, each aforementioned shutter 12, 24, 39, and 43
`assumes that it has closed. When the body side case storage part 8, the door side case storage parts
`33 and 33 of each flap units 2 and 2, and the extension unit 9 are attached, the aforementioned tablet
`cases 3 and 4 in which predetermined drugs were stored, respectively are attached to the extension
`side case storage part 41 like the above—mentioned.
`is switched on, the control device 76 scans
`[OO44]Next, if the power supply of the medicine feeder 1
`the ID information in the memory of the tablet cases 3 and 4 stored first, and constitutes a database
`by identifying and grasping the kind etc. of drugs stored by each tablet case 3 and 4 and it. This
`database is outputted also to the personal computer 84, and can create a database also with the
`personal computer 84.
`[0045]Thus, since the ID information about the tablet cases 3 and 4 concerned is written in and put
`on the memory 68 of the tablet cases 3 and 4, the control device 76 identifies this and it was made
`to grasp, Even if it stores the tablet cases 3 and 4 in which position of a case storage part, it makes
`a mistake henceforth, supply control of drugs can be realized now that there is nothing, and what is
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`called plug yne can be attained.
`[0046]the position (fright -— #1~#8 .. shows) in the case storage part which stores the tablet cases 3
`and 4 as it does not depend above but is shown in Figié being determined previously, being placed,
`and, Write in and put the address information (a medicine code and a correspondence medicine
`format are included) about the position (#1 - #8 show to Figié) in the case storage part where the
`tablet cases 3 and 4 concerned should be stored on the memory 68, and. the control device 76 --
`each position iii-#8 —- the data which identifies .. may be set up.
`[0047]ln that case, when the control device 76 scans like the above-mentioned, and having compared
`and made a mistake in the address information of each tablet case 3 and 4, and the actually stored
`position, the display circuit 83 performs a warning display (alarm) to the indicator 67 of the tablet
`cases 3 and 4 concerned. Also by starting composition, the mistaken drugs supply can be beforehand
`avoided now.
`
`[0048]Dispensing operation is started after such an initialization action is completed. Namely, when a
`worker inputs prescription data from the aforementioned personal computer 84 based on a medical
`practitioner’s prescription, the control device 76 of the medicine feeder 1, The tablet case 3 in which
`the drugs specified based on the prescription data concerned were stored, or the motor 61 of 4 is
`normally rotated by the control circuit 77, the discharge drum 53 is rotated (normal rotation), and the
`drugs of an inside of a slot are discharged to the piece [ every ] passage 30.
`[0049]At this time, the control device 76 inputs ********** from the medicine detection sensor 66
`via the detector circuit 79, and counts the discharged drugs. And the motor 61 is suspended in the
`stage where the specified quantity was discharged. The discharged drugs enter in each shot 22 and
`37 and 42, and are collected on the lowermost shutters 24 and 39 and 43.
`[0050]And the control device 76 opens the shutters 24, 39, and 43 wide, drops drugs in the hopper
`11, and are collected on the shutter 12. This shutter 12 is made into the structure inserted in the
`inside of a packaging bag, and after the control device 76 opens this shutter 12 wide after that,
`throws in drugs in wrapping paper and packs them with the packaging machine 13, it sends it out
`outside from the output port 14. When the drugs which should be packed exist in each