WO2018021412A1

WO2018021412A1 - Tablet cassette for tablet feeder

Info

Publication number: WO2018021412A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/027056
Authority: WO
Inventors: 義人大村
Original assignee: 株式会社トーショー
Priority date: 2016-07-27
Filing date: 2017-07-26
Publication date: 2018-02-01
Also published as: EP3492062A4; JP2018015225A; EP3492062A1; JP6569911B2

Abstract

The present invention realizes a tablet cassette for a tablet feeder with which the number of support members of a fall preventing member can be reduced while inheriting the endless belt characteristic of preventing a double drop of tablets, by gently pushing the tablets from an outer peripheral side toward an inner peripheral side above a discharge port. This tablet cassette for a tablet feeder is provided with a support structure (21, 23, 25) which allows a readily deformable disk-shaped rotating member 22 (fall preventing member) to rotate about a center of rotation. When the support member 21 is mounted outside a tablet container 12 with a peripheral edge portion 22a of the rotating member 22 inserted into a through-hole 12a formed in a location that is higher than a separating wall 31 of a rotor 30 and that is above a discharge port 14 in a peripheral wall portion 13a of the tablet container 12, tablets protruding upwards out of a tablet accommodating portion 15, from among tablet accommodating portions 15 ... 15, that has approached the discharge port 14 by means of the axial rotation of the rotor 30, come into contact with the rotating member 22 and are prevented from falling into the discharge port 14.

Description

錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットTablet cassette for tablet feeder

　この発明は、病院や薬局等で行われる調剤を自動化するための錠剤フィーダにおいて被駆動部を成す錠剤カセットに関し、詳しくは、錠剤を収容する錠剤容器と錠剤容器の中のロータとを具備していてロータが軸回転駆動されると錠剤をロータの周囲に整列させながら錠剤容器の排出口から逐次落下させる錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットに関し、更に詳しくは、排出口の上方で落下薬剤を最下の一つに限定する回転部材（落下防止部・仕切部）の構造に関する。 The present invention relates to a tablet cassette that forms a driven portion in a tablet feeder for automating dispensing performed in a hospital, a pharmacy, or the like, and more specifically, includes a tablet container for storing tablets and a rotor in the tablet container. The tablet cassette for a tablet feeder that sequentially drops tablets from the discharge port of the tablet container while aligning the periphery of the rotor when the rotor is driven to rotate is more specifically described. The present invention relates to a structure of a rotating member (fall prevention part / partition part) limited to one.

　従来より多用されている錠剤フィーダは（例えば特許文献１～４：特開平２－２０５５２３号公報、特開２００２－１５３５４１号公報、特開２００２－１５４６３７号公報、特開２０１２－１２０７１９号公報）、給電や制御のために錠剤分包機の引出棚などに固定して列設されるベース（駆動部）と、錠剤補充作業の容易化などのためベースに対して着脱自在になっている錠剤カセットとからなり、多数の錠剤を錠剤カセットにランダム収納しておき、必要に応じてベースを間欠動作や連続動作させて錠剤カセットから錠剤を一つずつ送り出すようになっている。また、独立型の錠剤分割装置のなかには（例えば特許文献５：特開２０１２－１７９１２７号公報）、錠剤裁断機構などに加えてカセット駆動部も装備した本体部の上に、上述の錠剤カセットを着脱させるようになったものもある。 Conventionally used tablet feeders (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4: JP-A-2-205523, JP-A-2002-153541, JP-A-2002-154637, JP-A-2012-120719) A base (drive unit) that is fixed and arranged on a drawer shelf of a tablet packaging machine for power supply and control, and a tablet cassette that is detachable from the base for ease of tablet replenishment work, etc. A large number of tablets are randomly stored in a tablet cassette, and the base is intermittently operated or continuously operated as necessary to feed the tablets one by one from the tablet cassette. In addition, among the independent tablet dividing apparatuses (for example, Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-179127), the above-described tablet cassette is attached to and detached from a main body unit equipped with a cassette driving unit in addition to a tablet cutting mechanism and the like. Some have come to let you.

　このような錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットは、上蓋を開けて補充された多数の錠剤を内部空間に収納する錠剤容器と、その中に軸回転可能に設けられていて駆動部の駆動を回転伝動軸にて受けるロータと、錠剤容器とロータとの間に形成される環状間隙の下端部を画する錠剤容器の底壁部に貫通形成された排出口と、排出口に対向させて設けられ環状間隙の上端側の一部を仕切る仕切板とを備えており、この仕切板を錠剤容器の外から装着できるよう、錠剤容器の周壁部のうち排出口の上方であって隔壁より高い位置には、仕切板を挿入しうるスリット状の貫通穴が形成されている。 Such a tablet cassette for a tablet feeder is provided with a tablet container for storing a large number of tablets replenished by opening an upper lid in an internal space, and provided therein so as to be rotatable about a shaft. And a discharge port formed in the bottom wall portion of the tablet container that defines a lower end portion of the annular gap formed between the tablet container and the rotor, and an annular gap provided opposite the discharge port. A partition plate for partitioning a part of the upper end side, and in order to be able to mount this partition plate from the outside of the tablet container, the partition wall is positioned above the discharge port and at a position higher than the partition wall. A slit-shaped through hole into which a plate can be inserted is formed.

　また、錠剤の整列箇所である環状間隙を錠剤一つ分ずつ区切るために、環状間隙に突き出た羽根状の隔壁が、ロータの外周部に等しいピッチで複数形成されており、隣り合う隔壁の間が、ロータの上から落ちてきた錠剤を一個ずつ収める錠剤収納部になっている。 Also, in order to divide the annular gap, which is the tablet alignment location, one tablet at a time, a plurality of blade-like partition walls protruding at the annular gap are formed at an equal pitch on the outer periphery of the rotor, and between the adjacent partition walls. However, it is a tablet storage unit for storing tablets falling from the top of the rotor one by one.

　さらに、錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットは、ベース等（駆動部）に装着されるとロータの回転伝動軸が駆動部の回転駆動軸と係合して回転駆動されるようになっている。 Furthermore, when the tablet cassette for tablet feeder is mounted on a base or the like (drive unit), the rotary transmission shaft of the rotor engages with the rotary drive shaft of the drive unit and is driven to rotate.

　そして、回転するロータによって錠剤が環状間隙の中を運ばれて排出口の直上まで来ると、その薬剤は排出口から落下して排出されるとともに、その薬剤より上の薬剤は仕切板によって排出口へ入り込むのを阻止されるので、錠剤の二重落下が防止されて、回転量に応じて薬剤が一つずつ排出される。 Then, when the tablet is carried through the annular gap by the rotating rotor and reaches just above the discharge port, the drug falls and is discharged from the discharge port, and the drug above the drug is discharged by the partition plate. Since the tablet is prevented from entering the tablet, it is possible to prevent the tablet from falling twice, and the medicines are discharged one by one according to the rotation amount.

　なお、錠剤容器やロータが硬質プラスチック材から作られているのに対し、錠剤落下防止用の仕切板には、金属製のものと軟質材製のものとがある。金属製の仕切板は（例えば特許文献１：特開平２－２０５５２３号公報参照）、薄い金属板の曲げ加工などで作成され、上記錠剤容器に外側から取り付けるための立板部と、上記錠剤容器の内部空間へ延びて仕切機能を発揮する横板部と、を具えている。一方、軟質材製の仕切板は（例えば特許文献２，３：特開２００２－１５３５４１号公報、特開２００２－１５４６３７号公報参照）、プラスチック成形などで作成され、錠剤を傷つけないように、平板状でも柔らかくて変形しやすくなっており、仕切機能を発揮する部分が鋸歯状に形成されたものは特に柔らかくなっている。さらに、仕切板には、一端部だけ錠剤容器に取り付ける謂わば片持ち式のものと（例えば特許文献１：特開平２－２０５５２３号公報参照）、両端部を錠剤容器に取り付ける謂わば両持ち式のものとがあり（例えば特許文献２，３参照）、その取り付け方にも、直付け式と（例えば特許文献１参照）、サポート等を介在させる間接式とがある（例えば特許文献２，３参照）。 In addition, while the tablet container and the rotor are made of a hard plastic material, there are two types of partition plates for preventing tablet dropping, one made of metal and one made of a soft material. A metal partition plate (see, for example, Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-205523) is prepared by bending a thin metal plate and the like, and a standing plate portion for attaching to the tablet container from the outside, and the tablet container And a horizontal plate portion that extends into the interior space and exhibits a partition function. On the other hand, the partition plate made of a soft material (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2002-153541 and 2002-154737) is formed by plastic molding or the like and is flat so as not to damage the tablet. Even if the shape is soft, it is easy to be deformed, and the portion where the partition function is formed in a sawtooth shape is particularly soft. Further, the partition plate is a so-called cantilever type in which only one end is attached to the tablet container (see, for example, Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-205523), and the so-called so-called both-end supported type in which both ends are attached to the tablet container. (For example, refer to Patent Documents 2 and 3), and the attachment method includes a direct attachment type (for example, refer to Patent Document 1), and an indirect method for interposing a support or the like (for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3). reference).

　このような錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットで取り扱う薬剤は、錠剤であって、散薬は対象外である。そして、よく取り扱われる錠剤としては、円板状の錠剤が典型的であるが、その他に、正多角形板状のものや、円筒状カプセル剤なども、しばしば錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットの取扱対象となる。 The drugs handled in such tablet cassettes for tablet feeders are tablets, and powders are not covered. As tablets that are often handled, disk-shaped tablets are typical. However, regular polygonal plate-shaped tablets and cylindrical capsules are often handled by tablet cassettes for tablet feeders. Become.

　また、円形や球形あるいは正多角形や正多面形といった謂わば定形剤から外れた菱形板状の異形剤や、中央部の膨らんだ紡錘状の異形剤、一錠未満の単位で服用できるよう一錠を裁断等で２分割して作られた半錠なども、錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットで取り扱われることがある。 In addition, a rhombus plate-shaped deformed agent that is not a so-called regular shaped agent, such as a circular shape, a spherical shape, a regular polygon shape, or a regular polyhedral shape, a spindle-shaped deformed agent with a swollen central portion, and a unit that can be taken in units of less than one tablet A half tablet formed by dividing a lock into two by cutting or the like may be handled by a tablet cassette for a tablet feeder.

　ところが、既述した従来の錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットでは、上述のような異形剤や半錠を取り扱うには、定形剤には必要とされない入念な調整や面倒な準備が必要であったため、異形剤や半錠でも定形剤のように手軽に取り扱える錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットが開発されて好評を博している。 However, in the above-described conventional tablet cassette for tablet feeders, in order to handle the above-mentioned deformed agents and half tablets, careful adjustments and troublesome preparations that are not required for regular shapes are necessary. Tablet cassettes for tablet feeders that can be handled as easily as regular products even in the case of tablet and half tablet have been developed and gained popularity.

　すなわち、順を追って詳述すると（特許文献１～５参照）、仕切板を用いる錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットの場合、定形剤であれば、一個が錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットの錠剤容器とロータとの間のに形成される環状間隙における隔壁間の錠剤収納部に収まっていると、先に錠剤収納部に収まった錠剤の上に他の錠剤が来ても、他の錠剤は錠剤収納部内の錠剤や隔壁に乗り上げて一部分と言えども錠剤収納部に入れないことから、仕切板の位置調整が多少粗くても錠剤が無理なく上下へ的確に仕切られて、錠剤の逐次落下・逐次排出が確実に遂行されるので、仕切板の調整が比較的容易である。 That is, in detail in order (refer to Patent Documents 1 to 5), in the case of a tablet cassette for a tablet feeder using a partition plate, if it is a fixed form agent, one piece is placed between the tablet container and the rotor of the tablet cassette for the tablet feeder. If the tablet is stored in the tablet storage part between the partition walls in the annular gap formed on the tablet, even if another tablet comes on the tablet previously stored in the tablet storage part, the other tablet remains in the tablet storage part. Even if part of the tablet can not be put in the tablet storage part after climbing on the partition wall, even if the position adjustment of the partition plate is somewhat rough, the tablet can be partitioned properly and vertically without fail, and the tablet can be dropped and discharged sequentially. Therefore, the adjustment of the partition plate is relatively easy.

　これに対し、端部が細かったり尖っているような異形剤や半錠は、環状間隙の錠剤収納部内に入って収まったときに錠剤収納部内の下部や上部が比較的大きく空き易いため、既に先の錠剤が収まっている錠剤収納部の上に後から他の錠剤が来たとき、後から来た上側の錠剤の姿勢によっては上側の錠剤の下端部が錠剤収納部内の上部空間に入り込むことがある。しかしながら、その場合、それらの錠剤を仕切板で上下へ仕切ることができる仕切板の位置が無いか有っても狭い範囲に限定されるため、適切な仕切板の位置を実験等で試行錯誤して手間を掛けて見つけ出さなければならないうえ、例え見つかっても大抵は仕切板の位置を厳密に調整しなければならない。また、一部が錠剤収納部内に入り込んだ錠剤が仕切板にぶつかったときに錠剤の全体が仕切板より上へ行って錠剤が錠剤収納部から上方へ完全に出るようにするには、異形剤の端部や半錠の裁断面などを滑らかにしておくことも重要なので、予め錠剤を選別したり、裁断を丁寧にしたり、表面を仕上げたり、といった準備が必要になることもある。 On the other hand, a deformed agent or half tablet whose end portion is thin or pointed has already been relatively large and easy to open because the lower and upper portions in the tablet storage portion are relatively large and easy to be accommodated in the tablet storage portion in the annular gap. Depending on the posture of the upper tablet that comes later, the lower end of the upper tablet may enter the upper space in the tablet storage part when another tablet comes later on the tablet storage part that contains the previous tablet. There is. However, in that case, the position of the partition plate that can divide the tablets up and down with the partition plate is limited to a narrow range even if there is no partition plate, so the position of the appropriate partition plate is determined by trial and error through experiments and the like. If you find it, you usually have to adjust the position of the dividers strictly. In addition, when a tablet partially entering the tablet storage unit collides with the partition plate, the entire tablet goes above the partition plate so that the tablet can be completely ejected upward from the tablet storage unit. It is also important to smooth the edges and the cut surface of the half-tablets, and preparations such as pre-sorting the tablets, carefully cutting, and finishing the surface may be necessary.

　このように、異形剤や半錠は、定形剤に比べて扱い辛いため、全自動の錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットの取扱対象になることが少なく、度々、半自動の薬剤手撒き装置や手作業での取り扱いに回されることが多かったのであるが、薬剤の種類の増加に伴って異形剤も増えるうえ、副作用抑制のため各患者の体重等に応じて服用薬剤の錠数をきめ細かく調整すべき等の観点から半錠の処方も増える傾向があるのに対し、調剤作業の自動化や能率向上の要求が高まってきたことから、それに応えるべく、異形剤や半錠でも定形剤のように手軽に取り扱える錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットが開発されたのである。 In this way, deformed drugs and semi-tablets are harder to handle than regular dosage forms, so they are less likely to be handled by tablet cassettes for fully automatic tablet feeders, often with semi-automatic drug handing devices and manual operations. Although it was often used for handling, the number of deformed drugs increased as the number of drugs increased, and the number of tablets taken should be finely adjusted according to the weight of each patient in order to suppress side effects. From the point of view, the prescription of half tablets tends to increase, but the demand for automation and efficiency improvement of dispensing operations has increased. A tablet cassette for tablet feeders was developed.

　具体的には（特許文献６：特開２０１５－０１２８９３号公報参照）、錠剤の二重落下を防止する落下防止部材が、上述した仕切板から、平紐状や丸紐状の無端ベルトに、改変されている。 Specifically (see Patent Document 6: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-012893), the fall prevention member for preventing the double fall of the tablet has been changed from the partition plate described above to an endless belt having a flat string shape or a round string shape. Has been.

　しかも、仕切板に代えて新たに採用された上記の無端ベルトは、変形容易な弾性部材または可撓性部材からなり、排出口の上方であって隔壁より高い位置に設けられていて、錠剤収納部のうちロータの軸回転にて排出口に近づいて来た錠剤収納部の上に出ている錠剤が当接すると反発力にて該錠剤を外周側から内周側へ押すことにより該錠剤の排出口への落下を阻止するようになっている。 Moreover, the endless belt newly employed in place of the partition plate is made of an easily deformable elastic member or flexible member, and is provided above the discharge port and higher than the partition wall, When the tablet coming out on the tablet storage part approaching the discharge port by the rotation of the rotor of the part comes into contact, the tablet is pushed by the repulsive force from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side. It is designed to prevent falling into the discharge port.

　そして、このような無端ベルトを落下防止部材に採用した錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットにあっては、全体的には実績のある従前の基本構造を踏襲しつつ部分的な改造によって、定形剤はもとより異形剤や半錠などについても適合性が向上している。すなわち、複数の錠剤収納部のうちロータの軸回転にて排出口に近づいて来た錠剤収納部の上に出ている錠剤に対して排出口の上方の落下防止部材が外周側から当接して該錠剤を内周側へ押すことにより、錠剤収納部内の錠剤だけが排出口から落下し、錠剤収納部の上の錠剤の二重落下が防止されるが、その際、錠剤収納部の上の錠剤は、例え一部が錠剤収納部の中に入り込んでいても、錠剤収納部より上に出ている主要部位が内周側へ押されて、ロータと落下防止部材との間に全体が挟持されるか或いはロータの上へ主要部が優しく押し上げられて錠剤収納部内の残部も錠剤収納部から随伴脱出するので、錠剤収納部の中に入り込んだ一部と錠剤収納部より上に出ている主要部とを切り裂かれる心配が無いため、錠剤が異形剤や半錠であっても、入念な調整や面倒な準備を行うまでも無く、定形剤と同程度か大差ない調整や準備をしておけば足りるのである。 In tablet cassettes for tablet feeders that employ such an endless belt as a fall prevention member, the overall shape of the tablet cassette is not limited to that of a fixed-form agent. The compatibility with drugs and half tablets is also improved. That is, the fall prevention member above the discharge port comes into contact with the tablet coming out on the tablet storage unit that has come close to the discharge port by the rotation of the rotor of the plurality of tablet storage units from the outer peripheral side. By pushing the tablet toward the inner peripheral side, only the tablet in the tablet storage part falls from the discharge port, and double dropping of the tablet on the tablet storage part is prevented. Even if a part of the tablet enters the tablet storage part, the main part protruding above the tablet storage part is pushed to the inner peripheral side, and the whole is sandwiched between the rotor and the fall prevention member. Or the main part is gently pushed up onto the rotor, and the remaining part in the tablet storage part also escapes from the tablet storage part, so that a part that has entered the tablet storage part and above the tablet storage part Because there is no risk of tearing the main part, the tablet is a deformed or half tablet. Also, needless to make any adjustments and tedious careful preparation, it is of sufficient Once you have a non-standard-size agent and adjustment and not ready equal to or great difference.

特開平２－２０５５２３号公報JP-A-2-205523 特開２００２－１５３５４１号公報JP 2002-153541 A 特開２００２－１５４６３７号公報Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-154637 特開２０１２－１２０７１９号公報JP 2012-120719 A 特開２０１２－１７９１２７号公報JP 2012-179127 A 特開２０１５－０１２８９３号公報JP2015-012893A

　このように、無端ベルト採用の錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットは、定形剤ばかりか非定形剤にも使い易いものとなっている。 As described above, the tablet cassette for the tablet feeder employing the endless belt is easy to use not only for the fixed form but also for the non-standard form.

　しかしながら、無端ベルト採用の錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットは、無端ベルトを張るために二カ所以上で支持しなければならないうえ、無端ベルトの円滑な循環運動のため各支持部に軸回転部材を組み込む必要がある。 However, tablet cassettes for tablet feeders that employ endless belts must be supported at two or more locations in order to stretch the endless belt, and it is necessary to incorporate a shaft rotating member in each support portion for smooth circulation movement of the endless belt. is there.

　このため、無端ベルト採用の錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットは、片持ち式の仕切板を採用した錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットと比べて勿論、両持ち式の仕切板を採用した錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットと比べても、落下防止部材の支持部に要する部材の個数が多く、コストダウンが難しい。 For this reason, tablet cassettes for tablet feeders that employ endless belts are, of course, compared to tablet cassettes for tablet feeders that employ cantilevered partition plates, as compared to tablet cassettes for tablet feeders that employ cantilevered partition plates. However, the number of members required for the support portion of the fall prevention member is large, and it is difficult to reduce the cost.

　そこで、排出口の上方で錠剤を外周側から内周側へ優しく押して錠剤の二重落下を防止するという無端ベルト式の特質を引き継ぎながらも支持部材の個数は少なくて済む錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットを実現することが技術的な課題となる。 Therefore, a tablet cassette for a tablet feeder that requires only a small number of support members while inheriting the endless belt-type characteristics of gently pushing the tablet from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side above the discharge port to prevent double dropping of the tablet. Realization is a technical challenge.

　本発明の錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットは、このような課題を解決するために創案されたものであり、底壁部と周壁部とを備え、底壁部に排出口が形成されてなる多数の錠剤を収納する錠剤容器と、錠剤容器の底壁部を回転可能に貫通する軸部を有し且つ軸部を中心として回転し、上面が複数の錠剤を整列させる形状を有するロータと、ロータの外周部から径方向に延び、ロータの周方向に所定の間隔をあけて配置されて、ロータと錠剤容器の周壁部との間に形成される環状間隙を等しいピッチで複数の錠剤収納部を形成するように区切る複数の隔壁とを備えている。本発明の錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットは、錠剤容器の周壁部のうち排出口の上方であって隔壁より高い位置に形成された貫通穴と、変形容易な弾性部材または可撓性部材からなり、周縁部の一部が貫通穴を通して錠剤容器内に挿入され、且つ周縁部の中心に回転中心を有する回転部材と、回転部材を周縁部の一部が貫通穴を貫通した状態で、回転中心を中心として回転可能に支持する支持構造とを具備している。複数の錠剤収納部のうちロータの回転により排出口に最も近い位置に来た１つの錠剤収納部の上に出ている余計な錠剤が、回転部材の周縁部の一部に当接して、余計な錠剤が排出口へ落下することを防止するように、貫通穴の位置及び回転部材の形状寸法が定められている。 The tablet cassette for a tablet feeder of the present invention was devised to solve such problems, and includes a plurality of tablets each having a bottom wall portion and a peripheral wall portion and having a discharge port formed in the bottom wall portion. A tablet container, a rotor having a shaft portion that penetrates the bottom wall of the tablet container in a rotatable manner, rotates around the shaft portion, and has an upper surface configured to align a plurality of tablets, and an outer periphery of the rotor A plurality of tablet storage portions are formed at an equal pitch with an annular gap formed between the rotor and the peripheral wall portion of the tablet container. A plurality of partition walls are provided. The tablet cassette for the tablet feeder of the present invention comprises a through hole formed above the discharge port in the peripheral wall portion of the tablet container and at a position higher than the partition wall, and an easily deformable elastic member or flexible member. A rotation member having a rotation center at the center of the peripheral portion and a rotation member centering on the rotation center with a portion of the peripheral portion passing through the through hole. And a support structure that rotatably supports. Among the plurality of tablet storage units, an extra tablet coming out on one tablet storage unit that comes to the position closest to the discharge port by rotation of the rotor comes into contact with a part of the peripheral portion of the rotating member, and the extra tablet The position of the through hole and the shape dimension of the rotating member are determined so as to prevent the tablet from falling to the discharge port.

　本発明では、落下防止部材として、回転部材を用いている。 In the present invention, a rotating member is used as the fall preventing member.

　このような本発明の錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットにあっては、錠剤収納部に全部か一部が入っているが最下でないため落下排出すべきでない錠剤を落下防止部材である回転部材の弾性的な反発力にて外周側から内周側へ優しく押すことにより不所望な錠剤の二重落下を防止するという特質を引き継ぎついでいるが、それを担う落下防止部材を、無端ベルトから回転部材に変更するとともに、回転中心を中心として回転可能に支持するようにもしたことにより、回転部材を支持する箇所が複数箇所から一箇所に集約されるので、軸回転部材の個数が少なくて済むこととなる。しかも、無端ベルト式では真っ直ぐ張られたベルト部分を挿入させるためにスリット状の貫通穴が長くなりがちであったのに対し、本発明の回転式にあっては、貫通穴に挿入される部分が弧状になっていて突き出しているので、貫通穴のスリット長が短くて済むという更なるメリットもある。 In such a tablet cassette for a tablet feeder according to the present invention, all or part of the tablet storage part is contained, but the tablet which should not be dropped because it is not the bottom is elastic of the rotating member which is a fall prevention member. The characteristic of preventing double dropping of unwanted tablets by gently pushing from the outer circumference side to the inner circumference side with a strong repulsive force has been inherited, but the fall prevention member responsible for it has been changed from an endless belt to a rotating member In addition, since the rotation member is supported so as to be rotatable around the center of rotation, the number of the shaft rotation members can be reduced because the portions supporting the rotation member are gathered from a plurality of locations into one location. . Moreover, in the endless belt type, the slit-like through hole tends to be long in order to insert a straight belt portion, whereas in the rotary type of the present invention, the portion inserted into the through hole Has a further advantage that the slit length of the through hole can be shortened.

　回転部材の周縁部の輪郭形状は円形を呈していてもよく、周方向に一定の間隔をあけて複数の凸部が並ぶ形状を呈していてもよい。 The contour shape of the peripheral edge of the rotating member may be circular, or may be a shape in which a plurality of convex portions are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction.

　支持構造は、回転部材より固く且つ薄い円板状を呈して回転部材を下から支持する補強部材及び回転中心を中心にして回転する軸部とが一体になった支持部材と、錠剤容器の外側に配置されて軸部を回転可能に保持する軸保持部材とから構成されていてもよい。固く且つ薄い円板状の補強部材によって回転部材が下から支えられることから、落下阻止対象の錠剤が回転部材に当接して回転部材が変形するときに、回転部材の変形方向が下向きでなく上向きになり易やすいため、落下阻止対象の錠剤が押し上げられ気味に優しく止められるので、落下防止効果が向上する。また、支持構造は、回転部材より固く且つ薄い円板状を呈して回転部材を下から支持する補強部材と、回転部材及び補強部材を回転可能に支持する軸受と、錠剤容器の外側に配置されて軸受に支持される軸部の両端と嵌合して軸部を保持する軸保持部材とから構成されていてもよい。 The support structure has a disk shape that is harder and thinner than the rotating member and supports the rotating member from below, and a supporting member in which a shaft that rotates around the rotation center is integrated, and the outer side of the tablet container And a shaft holding member that rotatably holds the shaft portion. Since the rotating member is supported from the bottom by a hard and thin disk-shaped reinforcing member, when the tablet to be dropped is brought into contact with the rotating member and the rotating member is deformed, the deformation direction of the rotating member is upward rather than downward Since the tablets to be dropped are pushed up and gently stopped, the fall prevention effect is improved. The support structure is disposed outside the tablet container, a reinforcing member that is harder and thinner than the rotating member and supports the rotating member from below, a bearing that rotatably supports the rotating member and the reinforcing member, and a tablet container. And a shaft holding member that holds the shaft portion by fitting with both ends of the shaft portion supported by the bearing.

　さらに、補強部材の径が回転部材の径より小さいことが好ましい。補強部材を回転部材より小さくしたことにより、補強部材と錠剤とが全く又は滅多に干渉しないので、回転部材の下支えと錠剤が当接する際の緩衝とを両立させるのが容易になる。 Furthermore, it is preferable that the diameter of the reinforcing member is smaller than the diameter of the rotating member. By making the reinforcing member smaller than the rotating member, the reinforcing member and the tablet do not interfere at all or rarely, so that it becomes easy to achieve both the support of the rotating member and the buffer when the tablet comes into contact.

　また、ロータの外周部のうち回転部材の周縁部と対向することのある外周部分に環状溝が彫り込み形成されており、変形容易な弾性部材または可撓性部材からなる環状の緩衝部材が環状溝に嵌合されていてもよい。落下阻止対象の錠剤をロータに押し付ける回転部材に加えて、その錠剤を受け止めるロータの該当部分まで、弾性的な反発力にて優しく錠剤に当接するため、緩衝効果が向上する。 An annular groove is carved and formed in the outer peripheral portion of the outer peripheral portion of the rotor that may face the peripheral portion of the rotating member, and an annular cushioning member made of an easily deformable elastic member or flexible member is used as the annular groove. May be fitted. In addition to the rotating member that presses the tablets to be dropped against the rotor, up to the corresponding portion of the rotor that receives the tablets gently abuts against the tablets with an elastic repulsive force, thus improving the buffering effect.

　また、ロータの外周部のうち回転部材および補強部材のうち何れか一方または双方と対向することのある外周部分に環状溝が彫り込み形成されており、変形容易な弾性部材または可撓性部材からなる環状の緩衝部材が環状溝に嵌合されていてもよい。回転部材に補強部材が付いたことに応じて、緩衝部材の幅を両部材の当接幅に適合させたことにより、補強部材があっても緩衝効果が向上する。 In addition, an annular groove is carved and formed on the outer peripheral portion of the outer peripheral portion of the rotor that may face either or both of the rotating member and the reinforcing member, and is made of an easily deformable elastic member or flexible member. An annular buffer member may be fitted in the annular groove. According to the fact that the reinforcing member is attached to the rotating member, the buffering effect is improved even if the reinforcing member is provided by adapting the width of the buffering member to the contact width of both members.

本発明の実施例１について、錠剤カセットの構造を示し、（ａ）が外観斜視図、（ｂ）が落下防止ユニットの枠部を取り除いた外観斜視図、（ｃ）が落下防止ユニットの外観斜視図、（ｄ）が蓋を外した錠剤カセットの平面図である。Example 1 of the present invention shows the structure of a tablet cassette, (a) is an external perspective view, (b) is an external perspective view with the frame portion of the fall prevention unit removed, and (c) is an external perspective view of the fall prevention unit. FIG. 4D is a plan view of the tablet cassette with the lid removed. （ａ）がロータの外観斜視図、（ｂ）が錠剤カセットのうち錠剤の排出口とその上部の縦断面図（Ａ－Ａ矢視）である。(A) is an external perspective view of a rotor, and (b) is a longitudinal sectional view (AA arrow) of a tablet discharge port and its upper part in a tablet cassette. 軸受を用いた落下防止ユニットの縦断面図である。It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fall prevention unit using a bearing. 本発明の実施例２について、錠剤カセットの構造を示し、（ａ）が落下防止ユニットを見下ろした外観斜視図、（ｂ）が落下防止ユニットを見上げた外観斜視図、（ｃ）が錠剤カセットのうち錠剤の排出口とその上部の縦断面図である。About Example 2 of this invention, the structure of a tablet cassette is shown, (a) the external appearance perspective view which looked down at the fall prevention unit, (b) the external appearance perspective view which looked up at the fall prevention unit, (c) is the tablet cassette It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the discharge port of a tablet and its upper part. 本発明の実施例３について、回転部材の平面図である。It is a top view of a rotation member about Example 3 of the present invention.

　このような本発明の錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットについて、これを実施するための具体的な形態を、以下の実施例１～３により説明する。 For the tablet cassette for the tablet feeder of the present invention, specific modes for carrying out this will be described with reference to Examples 1 to 3 below.

　なお、それらの図示に際しては、簡明化等のため、ボルト等の締結具や，ヒンジ等の連結具などは図示を割愛し、発明の説明に必要なものや関連するものを中心に図示した。 In these drawings, for the sake of simplicity, fasteners such as bolts and connecting tools such as hinges are omitted from the drawings, and those necessary for explaining the invention and related ones are mainly illustrated.

　本発明の錠剤カセットの実施例１について、その具体的な構成を、図面を引用して説明する。図１は、錠剤カセット１０の構造を示し、（ａ）が外観斜視図、（ｂ）が落下防止ユニット２０のユニット枠部２５を取り除いた外観斜視図、（ｃ）がユニット枠部２５にて保持された落下防止ユニット２０の外観斜視図、（ｄ）が蓋１１を外した錠剤カセット１０の平面図である。また、図２は、（ａ）がロータ３０の外観斜視図、（ｂ）が錠剤カセット１０のうち錠剤の排出口１４とその上部の縦断面図（Ａ－Ａ矢視）である。 Referring to the drawings, the specific configuration of Example 1 of the tablet cassette of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows the structure of the tablet cassette 10, (a) is an external perspective view, (b) is an external perspective view with the unit frame portion 25 of the fall prevention unit 20 removed, and (c) is the unit frame portion 25. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the held fall prevention unit 20, and FIG. 4D is a plan view of the tablet cassette 10 with the lid 11 removed. 2A is an external perspective view of the rotor 30, and FIG. 2B is a longitudinal sectional view (AA arrow) of the tablet discharge port 14 and its upper part in the tablet cassette 10.

　錠剤カセット１０は、落下防止部材等を改良したものであり、全体的には既述した従来品を踏襲している。 The tablet cassette 10 is an improvement of the fall prevention member and the like, and generally follows the conventional product described above.

　すなわち、最上部の蓋１１を開けて補充された多数の錠剤を内部空間に収容する錠剤容器１２と、その中に軸回転可能に設けられていて外部からの駆動を回転伝動軸３２にて受けるロータ３０とを備えており、それら錠剤容器１２とロータ３０と間が、錠剤の整列箇所である環状間隙（１５…１５）になっている。また、その環状間隙の下端部を画する底壁部１３に、錠剤を落下させる排出口１４が貫通形成されている。 That is, the tablet container 12 that accommodates a large number of tablets replenished by opening the uppermost lid 11 is provided in the internal space, and is rotatably provided in the interior thereof, and receives external driving by the rotary transmission shaft 32. A rotor 30 is provided, and the gap between the tablet container 12 and the rotor 30 is an annular gap (15... 15) that is a tablet alignment position. Further, a discharge port 14 for dropping the tablet is formed through the bottom wall portion 13 that defines the lower end portion of the annular gap.

　さらに、環状間隙を錠剤一つ分ずつ区切るために、環状間隙に突き出た羽根状の隔壁３１が、ロータ３０の外周部３０ａに等しいピッチで複数形成されており、隣り合う隔壁３１，３１の間が、ロータ３０の上から落ちてきた錠剤を一個ずつ収める複数の錠剤収納部１５になっている。 Further, in order to divide the annular gap one tablet at a time, a plurality of blade-like partition walls 31 protruding into the annular gap are formed at a pitch equal to the outer peripheral portion 30 a of the rotor 30, and between the

adjacent partition walls

31, 31. However, a plurality of tablet storage portions 15 for storing tablets falling from the top of the rotor 30 one by one are provided.

　そして、錠剤カセット１０は、図示しないベース等（駆動部）に装着されるとロータ３０の回転伝動軸３２が駆動部の回転伝動軸と係合して回転駆動され、ロータ３０の軸回転に連れて錠剤収納部１５の中に入った錠剤を排出口１４から逐次落下させるようになっている。 When the tablet cassette 10 is mounted on a base (not shown) or the like (drive unit), the rotation transmission shaft 32 of the rotor 30 is engaged with the rotation transmission shaft of the drive unit, and is rotated. Thus, the tablets that have entered the tablet storage unit 15 are sequentially dropped from the discharge port 14.

　一方、落下防止部材等の改良により、錠剤カセット１０は、落下防止部材として既述の仕切板や無端ベルトでなく回転部材２２を具備したものとなっている。本実施例では、回転部材２２は周縁部２２ａの輪郭形状が円形であり、弾性材料または可撓性材料から形成された変形容易な円板状の部材である。この回転部材２２は、それを軸回転可能に支持する軸部２１ａと円板状補強部材２３とが一体になった支持部材２１と組み合わされて落下防止ユニット２０を構成している。本実施の形態では、この落下防止ユニット２０が、錠剤容器１２に対して外側方から着脱しうる軸保持部材を構成するユニット枠部２５に回転可能に保持されているので、回転部材２２は簡便に付け替えられるものとなっている。なお本実施の形態では、支持部材２１とユニット枠部２５により、回転部材２２を回転可能に保持する支持構造が構成されている。 On the other hand, the tablet cassette 10 is provided with a rotating member 22 instead of the above-described partition plate and endless belt as a fall preventing member by improving the fall preventing member. In the present embodiment, the rotating member 22 is a disk-shaped member that is easily deformable and formed of an elastic material or a flexible material, with the contour shape of the peripheral edge portion 22a being circular. The rotation member 22 is combined with a support member 21 in which a shaft portion 21a that supports the shaft member 21 so that the shaft member 21 is rotatable and a disk-shaped reinforcing member 23 constitutes a fall prevention unit 20. In the present embodiment, since the fall prevention unit 20 is rotatably held by the unit frame portion 25 that constitutes the shaft holding member that can be attached to and detached from the tablet container 12 from the outside, the rotating member 22 is simple. It is supposed to be replaced. In the present embodiment, the support member 21 and the unit frame portion 25 constitute a support structure that rotatably holds the rotating member 22.

　また、回転部材２２の導入に伴って、錠剤容器１２の周壁部１３ａのうち排出口１４の上方であって隔壁３１より高い所に形成された横長スリット状の貫通穴１２ａが小さくなっている。少なくとも特許文献６に記載された無端ベルト装着の錠剤カセットの貫通穴よりも、本実施の形態の錠剤カセット１０の貫通穴１２ａの方がスリット長の短いものになっている。 Further, along with the introduction of the rotating member 22, the horizontally elongated slit-like through hole 12 a formed above the discharge port 14 and higher than the partition wall 31 in the peripheral wall portion 13 a of the tablet container 12 becomes smaller. The through hole 12a of the tablet cassette 10 of the present embodiment has a shorter slit length than at least the through hole of the endless belt mounted tablet cassette described in Patent Document 6.

　さらに、ロータ３０には緩衝部材３３が装着されており、緩衝部材３３はロータ３０の外周部３０ａのうち隔壁３１…３１より上の所を一巡している。 Further, a buffer member 33 is mounted on the rotor 30, and the buffer member 33 makes a round of the outer periphery 30 a of the rotor 30 above the partition walls 31.

　以下、各部を詳述する。 Each part is described in detail below.

　落下防止ユニット２０は、支持部材２１と回転部材２２と円板状補強部材２３とからなり、ユニット枠部２５によって保持された状態で錠剤容器１２に着脱されるようになっている。本実施例では、軸保持部材はユニット枠部２５であり、支持部材２１と円板状補強部材２３とユニット枠部２５によって支持構造（２１，２３，２５）を構成している。支持部材２１は、縦の軸体からなり、上下の両端部がユニット枠部２５に係合されて保持されるものである。本実施の形態では、コスト低減重視の観点から支持部材２１の軸部２１ａがユニット枠部２５に軸回転可能に支持されている。しかしながら、図３に示すように、円滑な軸回転を重視して支持部材２１の軸部２１ａの中央部に軸受２１ｂが一個だけ備えられており、その軸受２１ｂの外周部に回転部材２２と円板状補強部材２３を取り付けてもよい。このような構造にすると、両部材２２，２３が円滑に支持部材２１の軸部２１ａと直交する状態で回転することができる。 The fall prevention unit 20 includes a support member 21, a rotation member 22, and a disk-shaped reinforcing member 23, and is attached to and detached from the tablet container 12 while being held by the unit frame portion 25. In this embodiment, the shaft holding member is the unit frame portion 25, and the support member 21, the disk-shaped reinforcing member 23, and the unit frame portion 25 constitute a support structure (21, 23, 25). The support member 21 is composed of a vertical shaft body, and the upper and lower end portions are engaged with and held by the unit frame portion 25. In the present embodiment, the shaft portion 21a of the support member 21 is supported by the unit frame portion 25 so as to be capable of rotating the shaft from the viewpoint of cost reduction. However, as shown in FIG. 3, only one bearing 21b is provided at the central portion of the shaft portion 21a of the support member 21 with an emphasis on smooth shaft rotation, and the rotating member 22 and the circle are provided on the outer periphery of the bearing 21b. A plate-like reinforcing member 23 may be attached. With such a structure, both

members

22 and 23 can smoothly rotate in a state orthogonal to the shaft portion 21 a of the support member 21.

　回転部材２２は、変形容易な弾性部材または可撓性部材からなる円板状の落下防止部材である。この例では、回転部材２２は伸縮性に富むスポンジの平板を円環状に打ち抜くといったことで作られている。回転部材２２は、支持部材２１の軸部２１ａに外嵌めされている。回転部材２２の周縁部２２ａが周方向に押されると、回転部材２２は軸部２１ａを中心にして軽快に回転するものとなっている。 The rotating member 22 is a disk-shaped fall prevention member made of an easily deformable elastic member or a flexible member. In this example, the rotating member 22 is made by punching a sponge flat plate having a high elasticity into an annular shape. The rotating member 22 is externally fitted on the shaft portion 21 a of the support member 21. When the peripheral edge portion 22a of the rotating member 22 is pushed in the circumferential direction, the rotating member 22 rotates lightly around the shaft portion 21a.

　円板状補強部材２３は、この例では、回転部材２２と径が同じで厚みが薄く、軸部２１ａと一体に円板形状をゆうしている。図３に示すように軸受２１ｂを用いる場合には、円板状補強部材２３は、金属や硬質プラスチックの薄い平板を円環状に打ち抜くといったことで作ることができる。図３の構造では、円板状補強部材２３が支持部材２１の軸部２１ａの軸受２１ｂに外嵌めされて、回転部材２２の直下に位置することで回転部材２２を下支えするとともに、回転部材２２と一緒に軽快に軸部２１ａを中心にして回転する。 In this example, the disk-shaped reinforcing member 23 has the same diameter as the rotating member 22 and is thin, and has a disk shape integrally with the shaft portion 21a. When using the bearing 21b as shown in FIG. 3, the disk-shaped reinforcing member 23 can be made by punching a thin flat plate of metal or hard plastic into an annular shape. In the structure of FIG. 3, the disk-shaped reinforcing member 23 is fitted on the bearing 21 b of the shaft portion 21 a of the support member 21, and is positioned directly below the rotating member 22 to support the rotating member 22 and to rotate the rotating member 22. And lightly rotate around the shaft 21a.

　そして、落下防止ユニット２０を組合わせたユニット枠部２５を手にして、落下防止ユニット２０のうちユニット枠部２５から露出している部位を錠剤容器１２の貫通穴１２ａに向け、その露出部位となっている回転部材２２及び円板状補強部材２３の周縁部２２ａ，２３ａを貫通穴１２ａに挿入する。ユニット枠部２５を外部から錠剤カセット１０に装着させると、落下防止ユニット２０の支持部材２１が錠剤容器１２の直ぐ外に配置される。その結果、支持部材２１の円板状補強部材２３の周縁部２３ａと回転部材２２の周縁部２２ａの一部が、貫通穴１２ａから錠剤容器１２の内部空間に入り込んで、排出口１４の上方に位置する。 Then, with the unit frame portion 25 combined with the fall prevention unit 20 in hand, the portion exposed from the unit frame portion 25 of the fall prevention unit 20 is directed to the through hole 12a of the tablet container 12, and the exposed portion and The

peripheral portions

22a and 23a of the rotating member 22 and the disk-shaped reinforcing member 23 are inserted into the through hole 12a. When the unit frame portion 25 is attached to the tablet cassette 10 from the outside, the support member 21 of the fall prevention unit 20 is disposed just outside the tablet container 12. As a result, the peripheral edge portion 23a of the disk-shaped reinforcing member 23 of the support member 21 and a part of the peripheral edge portion 22a of the rotating member 22 enter the internal space of the tablet container 12 from the through hole 12a and above the discharge port 14. To position.

　しかも、本実施の形態では、貫通穴１２ａが、従来の仕切板や無端ベルト挿入用の貫通穴と同じく、錠剤容器１２のうち、ロータ３０との環状間隙に臨み、ロータ３０の隔壁３１より少し高く、錠剤収納部１５に入り込んだ一個の錠剤よりわずかに高い位置に、形成されている。そのため、多数の錠剤収納部１５…１５のうちロータ３０の軸回転にて排出口１４に近づいて来た錠剤収納部１５に入っている錠剤のうち、最下の錠剤は落下防止ユニット２０と干渉することなく排出口１４から落下する。最下の錠剤の上に乗っていて少なくとも一部が錠剤収納部１５の上に出ているような錠剤は、回転部材２２及び円板状補強部材２３の周縁部２２ａ，２３ａに当接して、回転部材２２の当接部分を押しつぶしながら円板状補強部材２３の上に乗るため、落下防止ユニット２０は、排出口１４への二重落下を阻止する。 In addition, in the present embodiment, the through hole 12a faces the annular gap with the rotor 30 in the tablet container 12 and is slightly smaller than the partition wall 31 of the rotor 30 like the conventional partition plate and through hole for inserting an endless belt. It is formed at a position that is higher and slightly higher than one tablet that has entered the tablet storage section 15. Therefore, among the tablets stored in the tablet storage unit 15 that has come close to the discharge port 14 by the rotation of the rotor 30 among the many tablet storage units 15... 15, the bottom tablet interferes with the fall prevention unit 20. It falls from the discharge port 14 without doing. The tablet that is on the lowermost tablet and at least a part of which is on the tablet storage portion 15 is in contact with the

peripheral portions

22a and 23a of the rotating member 22 and the disk-shaped reinforcing member 23, The fall prevention unit 20 prevents double fall to the discharge port 14 because it rides on the disk-shaped reinforcing member 23 while crushing the contact portion of the rotating member 22.

　ロータ３０は、その外周部３０ａのうち、上述した落下防止ユニット２０の回転部材２２及び円板状補強部材２３の周縁部と対向することのある部位（外周部分）に、環状溝が彫り込み形成されており、その環状溝は、ロータ３０の外周部３０ａを完全に一周しており、その環状溝には、環状の緩衝部材３３が嵌合されている。緩衝部材３３は、変形容易な弾性部材または可撓性部材からなり、この例では、回転部材２２と同じスポンジから作られている。この例では、緩衝部材３３の厚みが、対向する回転部材２２と円板状補強部材２３との合計の厚みと同じになっているが、それより厚くなっていても良い。 In the rotor 30, an annular groove is carved and formed in a portion (outer peripheral portion) of the outer peripheral portion 30 a that may face the peripheral portion of the rotating member 22 and the disk-shaped reinforcing member 23 of the fall prevention unit 20 described above. The annular groove completely goes around the outer peripheral portion 30a of the rotor 30, and an annular buffer member 33 is fitted in the annular groove. The buffer member 33 is made of an easily deformable elastic member or flexible member, and is made of the same sponge as the rotating member 22 in this example. In this example, the thickness of the buffer member 33 is the same as the total thickness of the rotating member 22 and the disk-shaped reinforcing member 23 facing each other, but may be thicker than that.

　この実施例１の錠剤カセット１０について、その使用態様及び動作を、上述した図１，図２を引用して説明する。 The use mode and operation of the tablet cassette 10 of Example 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 described above.

　錠剤分包機などでは円板状錠剤やそれを裁断した半錠さらには他の形状の錠剤など種々の錠剤を取り扱うことが多いが、錠剤分包機への格納や部品の共通化等を考慮して錠剤カセット１０の錠剤容器１２や底壁部１３は各種形状の薬剤に対して出来るだけ同じものを用いたいので、ロータ３０の選定等にて各種の錠剤に対処するのであるが、その際、錠剤収納部１５が半錠などの錠剤より少し大きくて錠剤収納部１５に一個ずつ錠剤が入るようなロータ３０を採用する。 In many cases, tablet sachets handle various types of tablets, such as disc-shaped tablets, half-tablets cut from them, and tablets of other shapes. Since the tablet container 12 and the bottom wall portion 13 of the tablet cassette 10 are desired to use as much as possible for various shapes of drugs, various types of tablets are dealt with by selecting the rotor 30, etc. A rotor 30 is employed in which the storage unit 15 is slightly larger than a tablet such as a half tablet and the tablets are stored in the tablet storage unit 15 one by one.

　また、錠剤容器１２に貫通穴１２ａを形成する際には、落下防止ユニット２０の回転部材２２及び円板状補強部材２３の周縁部２２ａ，２３ａを挿入しうるサイズのスリットを、ロータ３０の隔壁３１より少し高いところに形成しておく。 Further, when the through-hole 12 a is formed in the tablet container 12, slits of a size that can be inserted into the rotating member 22 of the fall prevention unit 20 and the

peripheral portions

22 a and 23 a of the disk-shaped reinforcing member 23 are formed as partition walls of the rotor 30. It is formed a little higher than 31.

　さらに、落下防止ユニット２０を錠剤容器１２に装着する際には、上記の貫通穴１２ａに回転部材２２及び円板状補強部材２３の周縁部２２ａ，２３ａを外から中へ挿入しながら落下防止ユニット２０を錠剤容器１２に装着する。 Further, when the fall prevention unit 20 is mounted on the tablet container 12, the fall prevention unit 20 is inserted while inserting the

peripheral portions

22a and 23a of the rotating member 22 and the disk-like reinforcing member 23 into the through hole 12a from the outside. 20 is attached to the tablet container 12.

　そうすると、既に錠剤容器１２に多数の半錠などの錠剤が収容されているとして、錠剤分包機等のベースの駆動部の駆動に従ってロータ３０が軸回転すると、ロータ３０の上面で撹拌された錠剤がそこからロータ３０と錠剤容器１２との間に形成される環状間隙に滑り落ちて錠剤収納部１５に一つずつ収まる。その結果、円状に列なる複数の錠剤収納部１５…１５にて整列させられた錠剤は、錠剤収納部１５と共に円弧軌道をたどって排出口１４の上に向けて次々と移動する。 Then, assuming that a large number of tablets such as half tablets are already stored in the tablet container 12, when the rotor 30 is axially rotated according to the drive of the base drive unit such as a tablet packaging machine, the tablets stirred on the upper surface of the rotor 30 are From there, it slides down into an annular gap formed between the rotor 30 and the tablet container 12 and fits into the tablet storage unit 15 one by one. As a result, the tablets arranged in the plurality of tablet storage portions 15... 15 arranged in a circle form one after the other along the arc path along the tablet storage portion 15 and move toward the discharge port 14.

　また、そのとき、他の錠剤が先に入ってしまった錠剤収納部１５に滑り落ちてきた錠剤は、錠剤収納部１５の内底までは入りきれないので、排出口１４の上方より手前で落下防止ユニット２０の回転部材２２に当接して、回転部材２２の周縁部を凹ませるとともに回転部材２２を回転運動させながら、落下防止ユニット２０の回転部材２２の当接部位と一緒に排出口１４の上方に次々と移動する。 Further, at that time, since the tablet that has slipped down into the tablet storage unit 15 where other tablets have already entered cannot reach the inner bottom of the tablet storage unit 15, the tablet falls from above the discharge port 14. The discharge port 14 is brought into contact with the rotating member 22 of the fall preventing unit 20 together with the contact portion of the rotating member 22 while rotating the rotating member 22 while rotating the rotating member 22 in contact with the rotating member 22 of the preventing unit 20. Move up one after another.

　そして、錠剤を収容した錠剤収納部１５が排出口１４の上に来ると、その度に、錠剤収納部１５から最下の一個の錠剤が落下して排出口１４から下方へ排出される。 Then, each time the tablet storage unit 15 containing the tablets comes over the discharge port 14, the lowermost tablet falls from the tablet storage unit 15 and is discharged downward from the discharge port 14.

　これに対し、最下の錠剤の上に乗っかっていた錠剤は、例えその一部が錠剤収納部１５の中に入り込んでいたとしても、錠剤収納部１５より上に出ていた部分が、回転部材２２によって環状間隙の外周側から内周側へ押されるとともに、その反作用として緩衝部材３３によって環状間隙の内周側から外周側へ押される。そのため、最下でない錠剤は、何れも容易に凹む回転部材２２と緩衝部材３３とによって優しく挟持される。 On the other hand, even if a part of the tablet that has been on the lowermost tablet has entered the tablet storage part 15, the part that has come out above the tablet storage part 15 is the rotating member. 22 is pushed from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side of the annular gap, and as a reaction, it is pushed from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the annular gap by the buffer member 33. Therefore, any tablet that is not the lowest is gently sandwiched between the rotating member 22 and the buffer member 33 that are easily recessed.

　しかも、そのとき、回転部材２２が円板状補強部材２３によって下支えされていることから、回転部材２２のうち錠剤の当接による径方向の凹み変形部分は、凹みをカバーする厚み増加の変形のうち下に向かう変形部分が押しとどめられるので、必然的に上向き気味に厚みを増しながら径方向に凹む。 In addition, since the rotating member 22 is supported by the disk-shaped reinforcing member 23 at that time, the dent deformed portion in the radial direction due to the contact of the tablet in the rotating member 22 is deformed to increase in thickness to cover the dent. Of these, the downwardly deformed portion is held down, so it inevitably dents in the radial direction while increasing its thickness.

　そのため、最下でない落下防止対象の錠剤は、持ち上げ気味に保持されて、確実に而も傷つくことなく排出口１４の上方を運ばれる。さらに、落下防止対象の錠剤の下部が円板状補強部材２３と干渉したときにも、回転部材２２の上向き気味変形による持ち上げ作用と、緩衝部材３３の変形による逃がし作用とによって、優しく挟持され、やはり傷つくことなく排出口１４の上方を運ばれる。 Therefore, the tablet to be prevented from falling which is not the lowest is held in a lifted manner, and is reliably carried over the discharge port 14 without being damaged. Furthermore, even when the lower part of the tablet to be prevented from falling interferes with the disk-shaped reinforcing member 23, it is gently held by the lifting action by the upward deformation of the rotating member 22 and the releasing action by the deformation of the buffer member 33, It is carried above the discharge port 14 without being damaged.

　そして、回転部材２２と緩衝部材３３とで優しく挟持された錠剤は、下の錠剤収納部１５が空になっても排出口１４の上を通過する後まで、傷つくことなく確実に錠剤収納部１５の上に保持されるので、錠剤が二重落下するおそれはない。 The tablet gently sandwiched between the rotating member 22 and the buffer member 33 is surely not damaged until it passes over the discharge port 14 even if the lower tablet storage unit 15 becomes empty. Since it is held on the top, there is no risk of the tablet falling twice.

　それから、排出口１４の上を通過した後に、回転部材２２の当接部位・作用部分と緩衝部材３３の当接部位・作用部分とが離隔して、錠剤の挟持が緩み更には解消されると、解放された錠剤が落下して下の錠剤収納部１５に速やかに入り込む。 Then, after passing over the discharge port 14, the contact part / action part of the rotating member 22 and the contact part / action part of the buffer member 33 are separated from each other, and the holding of the tablet is loosened and further eliminated. The released tablet falls and quickly enters the lower tablet storage unit 15.

　こうして、錠剤の逐次排出が迅速かつ的確に行われる。 Thus, the sequential discharge of tablets is performed quickly and accurately.

　本発明の錠剤カセットの実施例２について、その具体的な構成を、図面を引用して説明する。図４は、（ａ）が落下防止ユニット４０を見下ろした外観斜視図、（ｂ）が落下防止ユニット４０を見上げた外観斜視図、（ｃ）が錠剤カセットのうち錠剤の排出口１４とその上部の縦断面図である。 Referring to the drawings, the specific configuration of Example 2 of the tablet cassette of the present invention will be described. 4A is an external perspective view looking down at the fall prevention unit 40, FIG. 4B is an external perspective view looking up at the fall prevention unit 40, and FIG. 4C is a tablet discharge port 14 of the tablet cassette and its upper part. FIG.

　この錠剤カセットが上述した実施例１のものと相違するのは、落下防止ユニット２０が落下防止ユニット４０になった点である。落下防止ユニット４０が落下防止ユニット２０と相違するのは、円板状補強部材４３が円板状補強部材２３より径の小さいものになっている点と、その径の縮小によって解放された空間を回転部材２２に代わる回転部材４２が埋めている点である。 This tablet cassette is different from that of the first embodiment described above in that the fall prevention unit 20 is replaced with the fall prevention unit 40. The fall prevention unit 40 is different from the fall prevention unit 20 in that the disk-like reinforcing member 43 has a smaller diameter than the disk-like reinforcing member 23 and the space released by the reduction of the diameter. A rotating member 42 instead of the rotating member 22 is buried.

　この場合、円板状補強部材４３にて回転部材４２を下支えするという機能は維持しながら、円板状補強部材４３の外径を回転部材４２の外径より小さくしたことにより、錠剤が円板状補強部材４３に当接する前に回転部材４２に当接する。その結果、錠剤が円板状補強部材４３と直に当接する可能性がほとんどなくなるため、錠剤が円板状補強部材４３によって強く押されて傷つくといった事態を全く心配しないで済む。 In this case, while maintaining the function of supporting the rotating member 42 with the disk-shaped reinforcing member 43, the outer diameter of the disk-shaped reinforcing member 43 is made smaller than the outer diameter of the rotating member 42, so that the tablet is disk-shaped. Before contacting the reinforcing member 43, the rotating member 42 is contacted. As a result, there is almost no possibility that the tablet comes into direct contact with the disk-shaped reinforcing member 43, so there is no need to worry about the situation where the tablet is strongly pressed and damaged by the disk-shaped reinforcing member 43.

　本発明の錠剤カセットの実施例３について、その具体的な構成を、図面を引用して説明する。図５は、回転部材５２の平面図である。 The specific configuration of the tablet cassette according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the rotating member 52.

　この錠剤カセットが上述した実施例１のものと相違するのは、回転部材２２が回転部材５２になった点であり、回転部材５２が回転部材２２と相違するのは、回転部材２２は周縁部２２ａの輪郭形状が円形であるのに対して、回転部材５２が周縁部５２ａの輪郭形状は、周方向に一定の間隔をあけて複数の凸部５２ｂが並ぶ形状をしている点である。 This tablet cassette is different from that of the first embodiment described above in that the rotating member 22 is a rotating member 52. The rotating member 52 is different from the rotating member 22 in that the rotating member 22 has a peripheral portion. The contour shape of 22a is circular, whereas the contour shape of the peripheral portion 52a of the rotating member 52 is that a plurality of convex portions 52b are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction.

　この場合、回転部材５２が回転すると、複数の凸部５２ｂの先端（回転部材５２の周縁部５２ａの中心から最も離れた部分）が移動する軌道は、円となる。そのため、ロータ３０の外周側から内周側へ錠剤を優しく押し出す作用は実質的に均等に働くことになる。
［その他］
　上記実施例１～３では、錠剤カセットが着脱部になっていてベース等（駆動部）に手動で装着されることで錠剤フィーダが出来上がるようになっている。しかしながら、錠剤カセットと駆動部との連携態様はそれに限定される訳でなく、例えば、錠剤カセットだけでなく駆動部も可動式や可搬式になっていても良い。また、錠剤カセットと駆動部との対応付けや装着および離脱が自動的に行われるようになっていても良く、錠剤カセットが駆動部に固設されて錠剤フィーダが一体的なものになっていても良い。 In this case, when the rotating member 52 rotates, the trajectory along which the tips of the plurality of convex portions 52b (the portion farthest from the center of the peripheral edge portion 52a of the rotating member 52) moves becomes a circle. Therefore, the action of gently pushing the tablet from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side of the rotor 30 works substantially evenly.
[Others]
In the first to third embodiments, the tablet cassette is an attachment / detachment part, and the tablet feeder is completed by being manually attached to a base or the like (drive part). However, the cooperation mode between the tablet cassette and the drive unit is not limited thereto. For example, not only the tablet cassette but also the drive unit may be movable or portable. In addition, the association, attachment, and detachment of the tablet cassette and the drive unit may be automatically performed, and the tablet cassette is fixed to the drive unit and the tablet feeder is integrated. Also good.

　本発明の錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットは、薬剤分包機のように庫部などに多数の駆動部を組み込んだ装置にも（例えば特許文献１～３参照）、錠剤分割装置のように一台だけしか搭載していない装置にも（例えば特許文献５参照）、使用することが可能である。 The tablet cassette for the tablet feeder of the present invention can be applied only to a device in which a large number of drive units are incorporated in a storage unit such as a medicine packaging machine (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). It can also be used for devices that are not mounted (see, for example, Patent Document 5).

　また、着脱式の場合、一個の錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットを幾つかの駆動部に付け替えて使用することや、一個の駆動部に幾つかの錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセットを付け替えて使用することも可能である。 In the case of the detachable type, it is also possible to use one tablet feeder tablet cassette by replacing it with several drive units, or to replace several tablet feeder tablet cassettes with one drive unit. is there.

　さらに、上述した円板状の錠剤やそれを裁断した半錠に限らず、異形剤やカプセル剤など各種の錠剤を不都合なく取り扱うことができる。 Furthermore, it is not limited to the above-described disk-shaped tablets and half tablets obtained by cutting the tablets, and various tablets such as deformed agents and capsules can be handled without any inconvenience.

１０…錠剤カセット、１１…蓋、１２…錠剤容器、１２ａ…貫通穴、
１３…底壁部、１３ａ…周壁部、１４…排出口、
１５…錠剤収納部（環状間隙）、２０…落下防止ユニット、
２１…支持部材、２１ａ…軸部、２１ｂ…軸受、
２２…回転部材（落下防止部材）、２２ａ…周縁部、
２３…円板状補強部材、２３ａ…周縁部、２５…ユニット枠部（軸保持部材）、
３０…ロータ、３０ａ…外周部、３１…隔壁、３２…回転伝動軸、
３３…緩衝部材（環状溝）、
４０…落下防止ユニット、
４２…回転部材（落下防止部材）、４３…円板状補強部材
５２…回転部材（落下防止部材）、５２ａ…周縁部、５２ｂ…凸部
　 10 ... tablet cassette, 11 ... lid, 12 ... tablet container, 12a ... through hole,
13 ... bottom wall part, 13a ... peripheral wall part, 14 ... discharge port,
15 ... Tablet storage part (annular gap), 20 ... Fall prevention unit,
21 ... Support member, 21a ... Shaft, 21b ... Bearing,
22 ... Rotating member (falling prevention member), 22a ... Peripheral part,
23 ... Disk-shaped reinforcing member, 23a ... Peripheral part, 25 ... Unit frame part (shaft holding member),
30 ... Rotor, 30a ... Outer peripheral part, 31 ... Partition, 32 ... Rotation transmission shaft,
33. Buffer member (annular groove),
40. Fall prevention unit,
42: Rotating member (falling prevention member), 43: Disc-shaped reinforcing member 52 ... Rotating member (falling prevention member), 52a ... Peripheral part, 52b ... Projecting part

Claims

　底壁部と周壁部とを備え、前記底壁部に排出口が形成されてなる多数の錠剤を収納する錠剤容器と、
　前記錠剤容器の前記底壁部を回転可能に貫通する軸部を有し且つ前記軸部を中心として回転し、上面が複数の錠剤を整列させる形状を有するロータと、
　前記ロータの外周部から径方向に延び、前記ロータの周方向に所定の間隔をあけて配置されて、前記ロータと前記錠剤容器の前記周壁部との間に形成される環状間隙を等しいピッチで複数の錠剤収納部を形成するように区切る複数の隔壁と、
　前記錠剤容器の前記周壁部のうち前記排出口の上方であって前記隔壁より高い位置に形成された貫通穴と、
　変形容易な弾性部材または可撓性部材からなり、周縁部の一部が前記貫通穴を通して前記錠剤容器内に挿入され、且つ前記周縁部の中心に回転中心を有する回転部材と、
　前記回転部材を、前記周縁部の前記一部が前記貫通穴を貫通した状態で、前記回転中心を中心として回転可能に支持する支持構造とを具備し、
　前記複数の錠剤収納部のうち前記ロータの回転により前記排出口に最も近い位置に来た１つの前記錠剤収納部の上に出ている余計な錠剤が、前記回転部材の前記周縁部の前記一部に当接して、前記余計な錠剤が排出口へ落下することを防止するように、前記貫通穴の位置及び前記回転部材の形状寸法が定められていることを特徴とする錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセット。 A tablet container comprising a bottom wall portion and a peripheral wall portion, and storing a plurality of tablets in which a discharge port is formed in the bottom wall portion;
A rotor having a shaft portion rotatably passing through the bottom wall portion of the tablet container and rotating around the shaft portion, the upper surface having a shape for aligning a plurality of tablets;
An annular gap formed between the rotor and the peripheral wall portion of the tablet container is formed at an equal pitch, extending in a radial direction from the outer peripheral portion of the rotor and arranged at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction of the rotor. A plurality of partitions partitioning to form a plurality of tablet storage units;
A through hole formed at a position higher than the partition and above the discharge port in the peripheral wall portion of the tablet container;
A rotating member made of an easily deformable elastic member or a flexible member, a part of the peripheral part being inserted into the tablet container through the through hole, and having a rotation center at the center of the peripheral part;
A support structure that supports the rotating member so as to be rotatable around the rotation center in a state where the part of the peripheral portion penetrates the through hole;
Among the plurality of tablet storage units, an extra tablet that has come out on one tablet storage unit that has come to a position closest to the discharge port by rotation of the rotor is the one of the peripheral portions of the rotating member. A tablet cassette for a tablet feeder, wherein the position of the through hole and the shape and dimension of the rotating member are determined so as to prevent the unnecessary tablet from falling to a discharge port. .
　前記回転部材の前記周縁部の輪郭形状は円形を呈する請求項１に記載の錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセット。 The tablet cassette for a tablet feeder according to claim 1, wherein the contour shape of the peripheral edge of the rotating member is circular.
　前記回転部材の前記周縁部の輪郭形状は、周方向に一定の間隔をあけて複数の凸部が並ぶ形状を呈する請求項１に記載の錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセット。 The tablet cassette for a tablet feeder according to claim 1, wherein the contour shape of the peripheral portion of the rotating member has a shape in which a plurality of convex portions are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction.
　前記支持構造は、前記回転部材より固く且つ薄い円板状を呈して前記回転部材を下から支持する補強部材及び前記回転中心を中心にして回転する軸部とが一体になった支持部材と、前記錠剤容器の外側に配置されて前記軸部を回転可能に保持する軸保持部材とからなる請求項１に記載の錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセット。 The support structure is a support member in which a reinforcing member that is harder and thinner than the rotating member and supports the rotating member from below and a shaft that rotates around the rotation center are integrated. The tablet cassette for a tablet feeder according to claim 1, comprising a shaft holding member that is disposed outside the tablet container and rotatably holds the shaft portion.
　前記支持構造は、前記回転部材より固く且つ薄い円板状を呈して前記回転部材を下から支持する補強部材と、前記回転部材及び前記補強部材を回転可能に支持する軸受と、前記錠剤容器の外側に配置されて前記軸受に支持される軸部の両端と嵌合して前記軸部を保持する軸保持部材とからなる請求項１に記載の錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセット。 The support structure includes a reinforcing member that is harder and thinner than the rotating member and supports the rotating member from below, a bearing that rotatably supports the rotating member and the reinforcing member, and a tablet container The tablet cassette for a tablet feeder according to claim 1, further comprising: a shaft holding member that is disposed outside and is fitted to both ends of a shaft portion supported by the bearing to hold the shaft portion.
　前記補強部材の径が前記回転部材の径より小さいことを特徴とする請求項４または５に記載の錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセット。 The tablet cassette for a tablet feeder according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the diameter of the reinforcing member is smaller than the diameter of the rotating member.
　前記ロータの前記外周部のうち前記回転部材の前記周縁部と対向する外周部分に環状溝が彫り込み形成されており、変形容易な弾性部材または可撓性部材からなる環状の緩衝部材が前記環状溝に嵌合されていることを特徴とする請求項１記載の錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセット。 An annular groove is carved and formed in the outer peripheral portion of the rotor that faces the peripheral portion of the rotating member, and an annular buffer member made of an easily deformable elastic member or flexible member is the annular groove. The tablet cassette for a tablet feeder according to claim 1, wherein the tablet cassette is fitted to the tablet feeder.
　前記ロータの前記外周部のうち前記回転部材および前記補強部材のうち何れか一方または双方の周縁部と対向する外周部分に環状溝が彫り込み形成されており、変形容易な弾性部材または可撓性部材からなる環状の緩衝部材が前記環状溝に嵌合されていることを特徴とする請求項４乃至６のいずれか１項に記載の錠剤フィーダ用錠剤カセット。 An annular groove is carved and formed in the outer peripheral portion of the outer peripheral portion of the rotor facing the peripheral portion of one or both of the rotating member and the reinforcing member, and an easily deformable elastic member or flexible member A tablet cassette for a tablet feeder according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein an annular cushioning member made of is fitted in the annular groove.