throbber
SOLID PREPARATION PACKAGING APPARATUS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0001]
`
`The present
`
`invention relates to a solid preparation
`
`packaging apparatus which
`
`is
`
`installed,
`
`for
`
`example,
`
`in
`
`hospitals
`
`or dispensing pharmacies
`
`in order
`
`to
`
`charge
`
`packaging sheets or bottles with solid preparations specified
`
`in a prescription (hereinafter,
`
`the solid preparation will be
`
`referred to all
`
`the solidified preparations such as medical
`
`tablets, capsules, pills, and troches).
`
`2. Description of the Related Art
`
`[0002]
`
`Conventionally,
`
`in hospitals
`
`and
`
`the
`
`like,
`
`solid
`
`preparation packaging apparatuses are used to separately wrap
`
`a dose (the amount
`
`to be taken at a time) of multiple types
`
`of medical tablets or capsules (which will be referred to as
`
`solid preparations) prescribed by the physician for
`
`each
`
`patient and then provide the dose to the patient
`
`(see Patent
`
`Literature 1).
`
`[0003]
`
`This
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging
`
`apparatus
`
`1
`
`is
`
`configured such that a solid preparation accommodating unit 3
`
`with a number of vertically—elongated prism—shaped tablet
`
`cases
`
`6 disposed in an array'
`
`so as
`
`to accommodate solid
`
`preparations by type is located at an upper portion,
`
`and a
`
`discharge and count unit which functions to discharge and
`
`count
`
`the accommodated solid preparations is included under
`
`each. of
`
`the tablet cases 6.
`
`Below the solid. preparation
`
`accommodating unit 3,
`
`there is disposed a transfer mechanism
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`

`

`10 which is made up of a hopper and a conveyor. The transfer
`
`mechanism 10 receives the solid preparations discharged from
`
`the tablet cases 6 and guides the solid preparations to the
`
`charging port
`
`formed by the lower hopper member so that
`
`the
`
`solid. preparations are collected.
`
`to one place.
`
`Below the
`
`transfer mechanism 10,
`
`there is disposed a solid preparation
`
`packaging mechanism 14, which separately packs
`
`(referred to
`
`as separate wrapping)
`
`a dose
`
`(the amount
`
`to be taken at a
`
`time) of solid preparations collected to the charging port of
`
`10
`
`the lower hopper member.
`
`[0004]
`
`In the solid preparation packaging apparatus 1, with
`
`various types of solid preparations stored by type in the
`
`tablet cases 6,
`
`the operator inputs prescription data based
`
`on
`
`a prescription at
`
`an
`
`input unit
`
`such as
`
`a personal
`
`computer electrically connected to the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging apparatus 1 and then starts the solid preparation
`
`packaging
`
`apparatus
`
`1.
`
`The
`
`controller
`
`of
`
`the
`
`solid
`
`preparation packaging apparatus 1 is then operated to actuate
`
`the discharge and count unit for a predetermined tablet case
`
`6;
`
`a dose
`
`(the amount
`
`to be
`
`taken at
`
`a
`
`time)
`
`of
`
`solid
`
`preparations
`
`is
`
`discharged;
`
`and
`
`the
`
`solid preparations
`
`collected by the transfer mechanism 10 into the lower hopper
`
`member are introduced into the solid preparation packaging
`
`mechanism 14.
`
`In the solid preparation packaging mechanism
`
`14, a pouch for the amount to be taken at a time is formed by
`
`a heat—sealing mechanism from a
`
`sequentially transferred
`
`packaging sheet 20, and then a dose (the amount
`
`to be taken
`
`at
`
`a time) of solid preparations collected into the lower
`
`hopper member is separately wrapped by being accommodated and
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`then sealed in one pouch.
`
`

`

`[Citation List]
`
`[Patent Literature]
`
`[0005]
`
`[Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid—
`
`Open No. Hei.
`
`lO—ll8159
`
`[0006]
`
`In the solid preparation packaging apparatus 1 which
`
`operates
`
`in this manner,
`
`the printing mechanism prints
`
`required information such as the timing of
`
`taking the dose
`
`and the name of the patient on each pouch. Accordingly,
`
`the
`
`controller incorporated into the solid preparation packaging
`
`apparatus
`
`1
`
`includes various
`
`types of electronic circuit
`
`boards on which formed are electronic circuits for exchanging
`
`information with the input unit as well as
`
`for controlling
`
`the discharge
`
`and
`
`count unit
`
`of
`
`the
`
`solid preparation
`
`accommodating unit 3,
`
`the conveyor of the transfer mechanism
`
`10,
`
`the feed. mechanisnl
`
`for
`
`the packaging sheet
`
`20
`
`in the
`
`solid. preparation. packaging mechanisnl 14,
`
`the heat—sealing
`
`mechanism,
`
`the printing mechanism and
`
`the
`
`like.
`
`The
`
`electronic circuit boards mainly include a central processing
`
`unit circuit board
`
`(also referred to as
`
`the CPU circuit
`
`board)
`
`for exchanging information with the input unit and for
`
`providing
`
`collective
`
`control
`
`to
`
`the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging apparatus 1,
`
`and a printing circuit board for the
`
`printing mechanism.
`
`Furthermore,
`
`the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging apparatus
`
`1
`
`also includes
`
`a
`
`power
`
`supply for
`
`supplying power
`
`to these circuit boards, power
`
`to the motor
`
`of
`
`the conveyor of
`
`the transfer mechanism 10, power
`
`to the
`
`motor of the feed mechanism for the packaging sheet 20 in the
`
`solid preparation packaging mechanism 14,
`
`and power
`
`to the
`
`driving portion and the heater of the heat—sealing mechanism.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`

`

`[0007]
`
`Like
`
`the
`
`solid preparation packaging
`
`apparatus
`
`1
`
`disclosed in Patent Document 1,
`
`the main body may include the
`
`solid preparation accommodating unit
`
`3 disposed at an upper
`
`portion,
`
`the transfer mechanism 10 disposed below the solid
`
`preparation accommodating unit 3,
`
`and the solid preparation
`
`packaging mechanism 14 disposed below the transfer mechanism
`
`10.
`
`In this case,
`
`by taking the ease of
`
`loading solid
`
`preparations into the tablet cases 6
`
`into account,
`
`the solid
`
`preparation accommodating unit
`
`3
`
`at
`
`the upper
`
`stage
`
`is
`
`capable of being pulled out or pushed back in the back—and—
`
`forth direction, while by taking inspection and repair into
`
`account,
`
`the transfer mechanism 10 and the solid preparation
`
`packaging mechanism 14 at
`
`the lower stages are capable of
`
`being simultaneously pulled out or pushed back in the back—
`
`and—forth direction.
`
`In this case,
`
`the printing circuit
`
`board and the power supply are accommodated near
`
`the solid
`
`preparation packaging mechanism 14 at a lower stage; however,
`
`the central processing unit circuit board is a fairly large
`
`flat plate,
`
`and thus by taking heat radiation into account,
`
`disposed vertically on the outer surface of the rear wall of
`
`the solid preparation packaging apparatus 1.
`
`[0008]
`
`It
`
`is thus difficult
`
`to inspect or
`
`repair
`
`the solid
`
`preparation accommodating unit 3,
`
`the transfer mechanism 10,
`
`and
`
`the
`
`solid preparation packaging mechanism 14.
`
`In
`
`particular, it is cumbersome to incorporate,
`
`inspect, repair,
`
`or replace the wiring to each circuit board and the wiring to
`
`the power supply in the solid preparation packaging apparatus.
`
`Furthermore, since the central processing unit circuit board
`
`is disposed on the outer surface of
`
`the rear wall of
`
`the
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`

`

`solid preparation packaging apparatus 1,
`
`the circuit board
`
`has to be covered with a cover in order to prevent
`
`the human
`
`body from touching the circuit board or dust particles from
`
`being adhered thereto. This leads to an increase in costs.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0009]
`
`In view of
`
`these
`
`problems,
`
`the present
`
`invention
`
`10
`
`15
`
`provides
`
`a
`
`solid preparation packaging
`
`apparatus which
`
`facilitates
`
`the
`
`inspection
`
`and
`
`repair
`
`of
`
`the
`
`solid
`
`preparation accommodating unit,
`
`the transfer mechanism,
`
`and
`
`the
`
`solid preparation packaging mechanism as well
`
`as
`
`facilitates
`
`the
`
`incorporation,
`
`inspection,
`
`repair,
`
`and
`
`replacement of
`
`the wiring to each circuit board and the
`
`wiring to the power supply. Accordingly,
`
`since the fairly
`
`large flat central processing unit circuit board is disposed
`
`inside
`
`the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging
`
`apparatus,
`
`the
`
`the present
`
`invention is configured to provide
`
`technique of
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`the
`
`solid preparation packaging apparatus at
`
`the
`
`lowest
`
`portion thereof with an electrical component chamber where
`
`the central processing unit circuit board and the power
`
`supply
`
`are
`
`accommodated,
`
`thereby
`
`facilitating
`
`the
`
`incorporation,
`
`inspection,
`
`repair,
`
`and replacement of
`
`the
`
`wiring to the central processing unit circuit board and the
`
`power supply.
`
`Furthermore,
`
`the provision of
`
`the electrical
`
`component
`
`chamber
`
`at
`
`the
`
`lowest portion of
`
`the
`
`solid
`
`preparation packaging apparatus makes it possible to provide
`
`a
`
`lowered
`
`center
`
`of gravity to
`
`the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging
`
`apparatus
`
`and
`
`thereby
`
`an
`
`improved
`
`effect
`
`of
`
`preventing the solid preparation packaging apparatus
`
`from
`
`being toppled over when the solid preparation accommodating
`
`

`

`unit,
`
`the
`
`transfer mechanism,
`
`and
`
`the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging mechanisnl are configured.
`
`to be capable of being
`
`pulled out or pushed back in the back—and—forth direction.
`
`[0010]
`
`Furthermore,
`
`in order
`
`that
`
`the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging apparatus which is operated with a voltage of 100
`
`volt
`
`in Japan can also be used abroad or operated with a
`
`voltage higher than 100 volt
`
`(for example, at 120 volt),
`
`the
`
`power supply is additionally provided with a transformer as
`
`one component.
`
`For example,
`
`since the transformer
`
`to be
`
`employed to step down 120 volt to 100 volt is generally 5
`
`to
`
`6kg in weight,
`
`the transformer can be placed at the center of
`
`the rear portion in the electrical component chamber. When
`
`this weight
`
`is used for the solid preparation accommodating
`
`unit,
`
`the
`
`transfer mechanism,
`
`and
`
`the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging mechanism to be capable of being pulled out or
`
`pushed back in the back—and—forth direction,
`
`the technique
`
`provides
`
`an effect
`
`of preventing the
`
`solid preparation
`
`10
`
`15
`
`packaging apparatus from being toppled over.
`
`20
`
`[0011]
`
`The solid preparation accommodating unit,
`
`the transfer
`
`mechanism, and the solid preparation packaging mechanism are
`
`configured to be capable of being pulled out or pushed back
`
`in the back—and—forth direction.
`
`In this case, when these
`
`25
`
`30
`
`components are drawn out or the number of tablet cases in the
`
`solid preparation accommodating unit
`
`increases,
`
`the solid
`
`preparation packaging apparatus would tend to be more easily
`
`unbalanced, causing concerns to rise over the danger of
`
`the
`
`apparatus being toppled over with the
`
`solid preparation
`
`accommodating 'unit kept drawn. out. Accordingly; when the
`
`solid. preparation. packaging apparatus
`
`is used.
`
`in Japan,
`
`a
`
`

`

`dedicated balance weight may be included.
`
`In this case,
`
`this
`
`balance weight
`
`leads to increase in costs because the weight
`
`is specially made and requires mounting holes to be provided
`
`on the mounting flanges.
`
`In this context,
`
`attention is
`
`focused on the fact
`
`that
`
`the aforementioned transformer for
`
`general—purpose use, which is comparatively inexpensive, can
`
`be
`
`employed at
`
`low costs as
`
`the balance weight. With a
`
`prediction that
`
`the solid preparation packaging apparatus
`
`should be able to be used in a given higher—voltage region as
`
`described
`
`above,
`
`the
`
`aforementioned
`
`transformer
`
`is
`
`incorporated into the solid preparation packaging apparatus
`
`being
`
`produced.
`
`When
`
`the
`
`solid preparation packaging
`
`apparatus is used in Japan,
`
`the wiring will detour around the
`
`transformer, which acts only as the balance weight,
`
`thereby
`
`providing,
`
`at
`
`low costs,
`
`the effect
`
`of preventing the
`
`apparatus from being toppled over. On the other hand,
`
`in the
`
`case when the solid preparation packaging apparatus is used
`
`abroad where
`
`a
`
`transformer must
`
`be
`
`used,
`
`the
`
`solid
`
`preparation packaging apparatus into which the transformer is
`
`incorporated.
`
`can. be exported.
`
`Thus,
`
`the technique of
`
`the
`
`present
`
`invention makes
`
`it possible
`
`to make
`
`the
`
`solid
`
`preparation packaging apparatus available abroad as well as
`
`in Japan and implement at
`
`low costs the effect of preventing
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`the apparatus from being toppled over.
`
`25
`
`[0012]
`
`Furthermore,
`
`the solid preparation packaging apparatus
`
`is additionally provided at
`
`the lowest portion thereof with
`
`the electrical component chamber where the central processing
`
`unit circuit board and the power supply are accommodated.
`
`In
`
`3O
`
`this case,
`
`the technique of
`
`the present
`
`invention makes
`
`the
`
`inventive solid. preparation. packaging apparatus greater
`
`in
`
`

`

`height
`
`than
`
`a
`
`conventional
`
`solid preparation packaging
`
`apparatus,
`
`thereby facilitating the incorporation,
`
`inspection,
`
`repair,
`
`and replacement of
`
`the wiring associated. with the
`
`central processing unit circuit board and the power supply.
`
`Furthermore,
`
`the technique also makes it possible to provide
`
`the solid preparation packaging apparatus with a
`
`lowered
`
`center
`
`of
`
`gravity and
`
`thereby
`
`an
`
`improved
`
`effect
`
`of
`
`preventing the apparatus
`
`from being toppled over when the
`
`solid preparation accommodating unit,
`
`the transfer mechanism,
`
`and the solid preparation packaging mechanism are configured
`
`to be capable of being pulled out or pushed back in the back—
`
`and—forth direction.
`
`[0013]
`
`Furthermore,
`
`the specific solid preparation supply unit
`
`may be disposed on the upper surface of the solid preparation
`
`packaging apparatus so that specific solid preparations are
`
`loaded from above
`
`into the buckets of
`
`the specific solid
`
`preparation supply unit.
`
`In this case,
`
`the solid preparation
`
`packaging apparatus provided by the present
`
`invention makes
`
`the inventive solid preparation packaging apparatus greater
`
`in height
`
`than.
`
`a conventional
`
`solid. preparation. packaging
`
`apparatus so as
`
`to facilitate the loading of
`
`the specific
`
`solid preparations from above into the buckets.
`
`[0014]
`
`Furthermore,
`
`treating foreign characters other
`
`than
`
`Japanese characters and English letters as
`
`text data would
`
`require high costs for creating and processing the data.
`
`In
`
`order to solve this problem,
`
`the present
`
`invention provides a
`
`solid. preparation. packaging apparatus which can treat
`
`the
`
`text data as
`
`image data for printing and which includes a
`
`specific character printing circuit board,
`
`for providing
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`

`

`control
`
`to printing,
`
`in the electrical component chamber at
`
`the lowest portion of the apparatus,
`
`thereby facilitating the
`
`mounting of
`
`the circuit board and the wiring to the circuit
`
`board.
`
`[0015]
`
`A first aspect of
`
`the present
`
`invention relates to a
`
`solid preparation packaging apparatus,
`
`in.
`
`a main body of
`
`which
`
`a
`
`solid preparation accommodating unit
`
`having
`
`a
`
`plurality of tablet cases disposed in an array is disposed at
`
`an upper portion,
`
`each of
`
`the tablet cases
`
`accommodating
`
`solid
`
`preparations
`
`by
`
`type,
`
`the
`
`solid
`
`preparation
`
`accommodating
`
`unit
`
`having
`
`a
`
`discharge mechanism for
`
`discharging the accommodated solid preparations;
`
`a transfer
`
`mechanism unit
`
`for
`
`receiving
`
`the
`
`solid
`
`preparations
`
`discharged fronl
`
`the tablet cases
`
`and. collecting the solid
`
`preparations into a charging port is disposed below the solid
`
`preparation accommodating unit;
`
`and
`
`a
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging mechanism unit
`
`for forming a pouch on a strip of
`
`packaging sheet and for charging each pouch with the solid
`
`preparations collected in the charging port and sealing the
`
`pouch is disposed below the transfer mechanism unit.
`
`The
`
`solid preparation packaging apparatus is configured such that
`
`the solid preparation accommodating unit,
`
`the transfer
`
`mechanism unit, and the solid preparation packaging mechanism
`
`unit are each individually accommodated in the main body so
`
`as to be capable of being pulled out or pushed back in the
`
`back—and—forth direction;
`
`the solid preparation packaging mechanism unit includes
`
`a printing mechanism unit for printing on the pouch;
`
`the main body is provided with an electrical component
`
`chamber below the solid preparation packaging mechanism;
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`

`

`10
`
`the electrical
`
`component
`
`chamber
`
`is provided with a
`
`central processing unit circuit board (also referred to as a
`
`CPU circuit board)
`
`for providing collective control
`
`to the
`
`solid preparation packaging apparatus, and a power supply for
`
`supplying power
`
`to the solid preparation accommodating unit,
`
`the
`
`transfer mechanism unit,
`
`and
`
`the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging mechanism unit; and
`
`a flexible wiring cover which is continually curved as
`
`the solid preparation packaging mechanism unit
`
`is pulled out
`
`of or pushed back into the main body is mounted across the
`
`electrical
`
`component
`
`chamber
`
`and
`
`the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging mechanism unit
`
`in order
`
`to pass,
`
`through the
`
`flexible wiring cover,
`
`the wiring of
`
`the solid preparation
`
`packaging mechanism unit
`
`to the central processing unit
`
`circuit board and the power supply.
`
`[0016]
`
`A second aspect of
`
`the present
`
`invention relates to a
`
`solid preparation packaging apparatus,
`
`in.
`
`a main body of
`
`which
`
`a
`
`solid preparation accommodating unit
`
`having
`
`a
`
`plurality of tablet cases disposed in an array is disposed at
`
`an upper portion,
`
`each of
`
`the tablet cases
`
`accommodating
`
`solid
`
`preparations
`
`by
`
`type,
`
`the
`
`solid
`
`preparation
`
`accommodating
`
`unit
`
`having
`
`a
`
`discharge mechanism for
`
`discharging the accommodated solid preparations;
`
`a transfer
`
`mechanism unit
`
`for
`
`receiving
`
`the
`
`solid
`
`preparations
`
`discharged fronl
`
`the tablet cases
`
`and. collecting the solid
`
`preparations into a charging port is disposed below the solid
`
`preparation accommodating unit;
`
`and
`
`a
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging mechanism unit
`
`for forming a pouch on a strip of
`
`packaging sheet and for charging each pouch with the solid
`
`preparations collected in the charging port and sealing the
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`

`

`ll
`
`pouch is disposed below the transfer mechanism unit.
`
`The
`
`solid preparation packaging apparatus is configured such that
`
`the solid preparation accommodating unit,
`
`the transfer
`
`mechanism unit, and the solid preparation packaging mechanism
`
`unit are each individually accommodated in the main body so
`
`as to be capable of being pulled out or pushed back in the
`
`back—and—forth direction;
`
`the solid preparation packaging mechanism unit includes
`
`a printing mechanism unit for printing on the pouch;
`
`the main body is provided with an electrical component
`
`chamber below the solid preparation packaging mechanism;
`
`the electrical
`
`component
`
`chamber
`
`is provided with a
`
`central processing unit circuit board (also referred to as a
`
`CPU circuit board)
`
`for providing collective control
`
`to the
`
`solid preparation packaging apparatus, and a power supply for
`
`supplying power
`
`to the solid preparation accommodating unit,
`
`the
`
`transfer mechanism unit,
`
`and
`
`the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging mechanisnl unit,
`
`the electrical
`
`component
`
`chamber
`
`being further provided with an image printing circuit board
`
`required for the printing mechanism unit
`
`to print based on
`
`image data; and
`
`a flexible wiring cover which is continually curved as
`
`the solid preparation packaging mechanism unit
`
`is pulled out
`
`of or pushed back into the main body is mounted across the
`
`electrical
`
`component
`
`chamber
`
`and
`
`the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging mechanism unit
`
`in order
`
`to pass,
`
`through the
`
`flexible wiring cover,
`
`the wiring of
`
`the solid preparation
`
`packaging mechanism unit
`
`to the central processing unit
`
`circuit board,
`
`the image printing circuit board,
`
`and the
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`power supply.
`
`[0017]
`
`

`

`12
`
`A third aspect of the present
`
`invention relates to the
`
`solid preparation packaging apparatus according to the first
`
`and second. aspects of
`
`the invention, wherein.
`
`the printing
`
`circuit board of
`
`the printing mechanism unit
`
`is disposed at
`
`the solid preparation packaging mechanism unit.
`
`[0018]
`
`A fourth aspect of the present
`
`invention relates to the
`
`solid preparation packaging apparatus according to any one of
`
`the first to third aspects of the invention, wherein a step—
`
`down transformer
`
`is provided. as
`
`a component of
`
`the power
`
`supply,
`
`and the transformer
`
`is mounted at a weight balance
`
`position at
`
`the center of a rear portion in the electrical
`
`component chamber.
`
`[0019]
`
`A fifth aspect of the present
`
`invention relates to the
`
`solid preparation packaging apparatus according to any one of
`
`the first to fourth aspects of the invention, wherein
`
`the main body is provided at
`
`a
`
`top front portion
`
`thereof with. a specific solid. preparation.
`
`supply' unit
`
`for
`
`supplying,
`
`to the transfer mechanism 'unit,
`
`specific solid
`
`preparations
`
`accommodated
`
`in a plurality' of buckets
`
`each
`
`having an upper opening,
`
`on a top surface region of
`
`the main body behind the
`
`specific solid. preparation.
`
`supply' unit,
`
`a flat
`
`surface is
`
`formed.
`
`to jplace thereon. an input unit
`
`such as
`
`51 personal
`
`computer
`
`for transmitting and receiving information to/from
`
`the central processing unit circuit board; and
`
`a flat—shaped lid to cover the buckets can be removably
`
`placed on the specific solid preparation supply unit.
`
`Advantageous Effects of the Invention
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`

`

`13
`
`[0020]
`
`According to the first aspect of the present
`
`invention,
`
`the
`
`solid preparation accommodating unit,
`
`the
`
`transfer
`
`mechanism, and the solid preparation packaging mechanism can
`
`be each individually configured to be pulled out or pushed
`
`back
`
`in the
`
`back—and—forth direction,
`
`and
`
`can
`
`be
`
`thus
`
`inspected and repaired. with ease.
`
`Furthermore,
`
`the solid
`
`preparation accommodating unit,
`
`the transfer mechanism,
`
`and
`
`the
`
`solid
`
`preparation
`
`packaging mechanism are
`
`each
`
`individually capable of being pulled out or pushed back in
`
`the back—and—forth direction. Additionally,
`
`the main body of
`
`the solid preparation packaging apparatus is provided at
`
`the
`
`lowest portion thereof with the electrical component chamber,
`
`where the central processing unit circuit board and the power
`
`supply are accommodated. Accordingly, when compared with a
`
`conventional solid preparation packaging apparatus which has
`
`the central processing unit circuit board. disposed. on the
`
`outer
`
`surface
`
`of
`
`the
`
`rear wall
`
`thereof,
`
`the
`
`central
`
`processing unit circuit board provided inside the main body
`
`of
`
`the solid preparation packaging apparatus eliminates the
`
`need for covering the same with a special cover in order to
`
`prevent
`
`the circuit board from being touched by the human
`
`body' or prevent dust particles fronl being adhered to the
`
`circuit board.
`
`This makes
`
`it possible to cut costs
`
`as
`
`compared with the aforementioned conventional one.
`
`Furthermore,
`
`the main body is provided at
`
`the lowest
`
`portion thereof with the electrical component chamber, where
`
`the central processing unit circuit board and the power
`
`supply are accommodated. When compared with the conventional
`
`one,
`
`this structure facilitates the incorporation,
`
`inspection,
`
`repair,
`
`and
`
`replacement
`
`of
`
`the wiring
`
`to
`
`the
`
`central
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`

`

`14
`
`processing
`
`unit
`
`circuit
`
`board
`
`and
`
`the
`
`power
`
`supply.
`
`Furthermore,
`
`the provision of
`
`the
`
`electrical
`
`component
`
`chamber at
`
`the
`
`lowest portion of
`
`the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging apparatus makes
`
`it possible to provide a lowered
`
`center
`
`of
`
`gravity to
`
`the
`
`solid preparation packaging
`
`apparatus. This structure can provide an improved effect of
`
`preventing the solid preparation packaging apparatus
`
`from
`
`being toppled over when the solid preparation accommodating
`
`unit,
`
`the
`
`transfer mechanism,
`
`and
`
`the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging mechanisnl are configured.
`
`to be capable of being
`
`pulled out or pushed back in the back—and—forth direction.
`
`Furthermore,
`
`the
`
`flexible wiring
`
`cover which
`
`is
`
`continually
`
`curved
`
`as
`
`the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging
`
`mechanism unit is pulled out or pushed back is mounted across
`
`the electrical component chamber and the solid preparation
`
`packaging mechanism unit. This structure allows, as a matter
`
`of course,
`
`the solid preparation packaging mechanism unit
`
`to
`
`be smoothly pulled out or pushed back while the wiring is
`
`protected. Additionally,
`
`in this structure,
`
`the electrical
`
`wiring from the electrical component chamber at
`
`the lowest
`
`portion.
`
`to the solid. preparation. packaging mechanism 'unit
`
`disposed above the same can be inspected and repaired with
`
`ease because
`
`the
`
`flexible wiring cover portion can
`
`be
`
`visually checked with
`
`the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`mechanism unit kept drawn out.
`
`[0021]
`
`According to the second aspect of the present
`
`invention,
`
`the electrical component chamber is provided,
`
`in addition to
`
`the central processing unit circuit board and the power
`
`3O
`
`supply, with the image printing circuit board required for
`
`the printing mechanism unit
`
`to print based on image data.
`
`

`

`15
`
`The
`
`flexible wiring cover mounted across
`
`the electrical
`
`component
`
`chamber
`
`and
`
`the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging
`
`mechanisnl unit
`
`is configured such that
`
`the wiring of
`
`the
`
`solid preparation accommodating unit,
`
`the transfer mechanism
`
`unit,
`
`and the solid preparation packaging mechanism unit
`
`is
`
`passed through the
`
`flexible wiring cover
`
`to the central
`
`processing unit circuit board,
`
`the image printing circuit
`
`board,
`
`and the power supply.
`
`This structure,
`
`including the
`
`wiring fronl
`
`the electrical
`
`component
`
`chamber
`
`to the image
`
`printing circuit board, can provide the same effects as those
`
`of the aforementioned first aspect of the invention.
`
`[0022]
`
`According to the third aspect of the present
`
`invention,
`
`the printing mechanism unit and the printing circuit board
`
`are provided
`
`in conjunction with the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging mechanism unit, whereby the wiring for connecting
`
`between the printing mechanism unit and the printing circuit
`
`board can be reduced in length.
`
`Furthermore,
`
`the printing
`
`circuit board and the central processing unit circuit board
`
`can be laid through the flexible wiring cover, whereby the
`
`same effects as those of
`
`the aforementioned first aspect of
`
`the invention can be provided.
`
`[0023]
`
`According to the fourth aspect of the present
`
`invention,
`
`in order that the solid preparation packaging apparatus which
`
`is operated with a voltage of 100 volt
`
`in Japan can also be
`
`used abroad or operated with a voltage higher than 100 volt
`
`(for example, at 120 volt),
`
`the power supply is additionally
`
`provided with a transformer as one component.
`
`In this case,
`
`for example,
`
`a transformer for general—purpose use which is
`
`to step down 120 volt
`
`to 100 volt
`
`is typically 5
`
`to 6 kg in
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`

`

`16
`
`weight.
`
`Accordingly,
`
`the transformer can be
`
`incorporated
`
`into the solid preparation packaging apparatus in advance so
`
`that
`
`the user can choose whether
`
`to use the apparatus
`
`in
`
`Japan or abroad.
`
`It
`
`is thus possible to preferably prevent
`
`the solid preparation packaging apparatus from being toppled
`
`over, without a costly special balance weight.
`
`[0024]
`
`Concerning the fifth aspect of
`
`the present
`
`invention,
`
`while the main. body'
`
`is provided. on the top front portion
`
`thereof with the specific solid preparation supply unit for
`
`accommodating specific solid preparations in the buckets and
`
`supplying the specific solid. preparations
`
`to the transfer
`
`mechanism unit,
`
`information including information on
`
`the
`
`specific solid preparations accommodated in the buckets may
`
`be
`
`transmitted/received using an
`
`input unit
`
`such
`
`as
`
`a
`
`personal computer to/from the central processing unit circuit
`
`board.
`
`In this case, manipulating this input unit placed on
`
`a desk or
`
`the like installed near
`
`the solid preparation
`
`packaging apparatus would require the place for the desk and
`
`is inconvenient. Accordingly,
`
`to allow the input unit
`
`to be
`
`used. on the solid. preparation. packaging apparatus,
`
`a flat
`
`area for placement of
`
`the input unit
`
`is formed on the top
`
`surface region of
`
`the main body behind the specific solid
`
`preparation supply unit.
`
`On the other hand,
`
`the buckets of
`
`the specific solid preparation supply unit have to be covered
`
`with a lid for hygienic reasons. Conventionally,
`
`since this
`
`lid was of an open/close type,
`
`the input unit placed behind
`
`the lid could not be operated with the lid open.
`
`The fifth
`
`aspect
`
`of
`
`the
`
`invention
`
`provides
`
`a
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging apparatus which solves these problems at one stroke
`
`by placing the flat—shaped lid,
`
`for covering the buckets,
`
`so
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`

`

`17
`
`as to be removably placed on the specific solid preparation
`
`supply unit, whereby the input unit can be manipulated with
`
`ease .
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0025]
`
`Fig.
`
`l is a front perspective view illustrating a solid
`
`preparation packaging apparatus
`
`according to the present
`
`invention;
`
`Fig.
`
`2
`
`is an explanatory' side view illustrating the
`
`arrangement of each stage of the solid preparation packaging
`
`apparatus according to the present
`
`invention with each stage
`
`drawn out;
`
`Fig.
`
`3
`
`is a
`
`front perspective 'view illustrating the
`
`solid preparation packaging
`
`apparatus
`
`according
`
`to
`
`the
`
`present invention with tablet cases drawn out;
`
`Fig.
`
`4
`
`is an explanatory' side view illustrating the
`
`solid preparation packaging
`
`apparatus
`
`according
`
`to
`
`the
`
`present
`
`invention with the tablet cases drawn out
`
`and a
`
`specific
`
`solid preparation supply unit mounted
`
`on
`
`the
`
`apparatus;
`
`Fig.
`
`5
`
`is
`
`a
`
`top plan view illustrating the unit
`
`structure of
`
`the
`
`tablet
`
`cases of
`
`the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging apparatus according to the present invention;
`
`Fig.
`
`6
`
`is an explanatory front view illustrating the
`
`slide
`
`rail portion of
`
`the
`
`tablet
`
`cases
`
`of
`
`the
`
`solid
`
`preparation packaging apparatus
`
`according to the present
`
`invention and the mounting portion. of
`
`the specific solid
`
`preparation supply unit;
`
`Fig.
`
`7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
`
`configuration of
`
`the specific solid preparation supply unit
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`

`

`18
`
`of the solid preparation packaging apparatus according to the
`
`present invention;
`
`Fig.
`
`8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
`
`configuration of
`
`a bucket portion of
`
`the
`
`specific solid
`
`preparation supply unit of
`
`the solid preparation packaging
`
`apparatus according to the present
`
`invention and the driving
`
`unit therefor;
`
`Fig.
`
`9
`
`is
`
`an
`
`exploded
`
`view
`
`illustrating
`
`the
`
`configuration. of
`
`the bucket portion. of
`
`the specific solid
`
`preparation supply unit of
`
`the solid preparation packaging
`
`apparatus according to the present
`
`invention and the driving
`
`unit therefor;
`
`Fig.
`
`10
`
`is
`
`an
`
`explanatory view illustrating the
`
`passageway
`
`structure
`
`through
`
`which
`
`specific
`
`solid
`
`preparations
`
`are
`
`delivered
`
`from the
`
`specific
`
`solid
`
`preparation supply unit of
`
`the solid preparation packaging
`
`apparatus according to the present invention;
`
`Fig.
`
`11
`
`is a cross—sectional view illustrating the
`
`configuration of
`
`a
`
`transfer mechanism unit of
`
`the
`
`solid
`
`preparation packaging apparatus
`
`according to the present
`
`invention;
`
`Fig.
`
`12
`
`is an explanatory' view illustrating a solid
`
`preparation packaging mechanism unit of the solid preparation
`
`packaging apparatus according to the present invention;
`
`Fig. 13 is an explanatory perspective view illustrating
`
`the
`
`form of
`
`a packaging sheet
`
`in the
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging apparatus according to the present
`
`invention and
`
`how the opening of a pouch is formed;
`
`Fig.
`
`14
`
`is
`
`a
`
`cross—sectional
`
`view illustrating a
`
`shutter unit for charging a solid preparation into a pouch of
`
`the
`
`packaging
`
`sheet
`
`in the
`
`solid preparation packaging
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`

`

`19
`
`apparatus according to the present invention;
`
`Fig. 15 is an explanatory perspective view illustrating
`
`the use of the specific solid preparation supply unit and an
`
`input unit of
`
`the
`
`solid preparation packaging apparatus
`
`according to the present invention;
`
`Fig. 16 is a top plan view illustrating the arrangement
`
`of a solid preparation packaging mechanism unit
`
`including a
`
`printing mechanism unit of
`
`the solid preparation packaging
`
`apparatus according to the present invention;
`
`Fig.
`
`17 is a top plan view illustrating the positional
`
`relation of
`
`a
`
`flexible wiring
`
`cover
`
`in an electrical
`
`component
`
`chamber
`
`of
`
`the
`
`solid
`
`preparation.
`
`packaging
`
`apparatus according to the present invention;
`
`Fig. 18 is a side view illustrating the flexible wiring
`
`cover when the solid preparation packaging mechanism unit has
`
`been pushed back in the solid preparation packaging apparatus
`
`according to the present invention; and
`
`Fig. 19 is a side view illustrating the flexible wiring
`
`cover when the solid preparation packaging mechanism unit
`
`is
`
`pulled out of
`
`the
`
`solid preparation packaging apparatus
`
`according to the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0026]
`
`The present
`
`invention provides
`
`a
`
`solid preparation
`
`packaging apparatus,
`
`in the main body of which a
`
`solid
`
`preparation accommodating unit having a plurality of
`
`tablet
`
`cases disposed in an array is disposed at an upper portion,
`
`each of the tablet cases accommodating solid

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