JP7565638B2 - Powder dispensing device and device combining powder dispensing device and packaging device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a powder dispensing device that dispenses powder when dispensing medicines, and a device that combines a powder dispensing device with a packaging device.

Conventionally, when dispensing powders (also called "powders") at a pharmacy, a pharmacist would bring a powder bottle containing the powder to the dispensing counter and weigh the powder by feeding it from the powder bottle onto a tray that was placed on an electronic balance. This tray is called a weighing dish. Although there were packaging devices that divided powders into single doses and packaged them, the task of weighing the total amount of powder needed for packaging before feeding it into the device was done manually, leaving room for improvement.

There is also a "powdered medicine supplying device" described in Patent Document 1. This device is configured to dispense and weigh powdered medicine from an arbitrary cassette stored in a cassette storage unit into a cup supplied by a cup supplying unit, and to transport the cup to a packaging unit using a cup lifting unit and a cup return unit.

Patent No. 4066280

However, the device described in Patent Document 1 was configured to even perform the packaging process. This meant that it was inefficient because it was necessary to wait until packaging was completed before weighing the next powder to be packaged. In addition, the device was large, so it could only be installed in a limited number of pharmacies, and no consideration was given to linking it to packaging devices already installed in pharmacies. Therefore, even if the "powdered medicine supply device" in Patent Document 1 was installed, there was still the problem that the total amount of powder needed for packaging had to be weighed manually when using a packaging device.

The present invention aims to provide a powder dispensing device that can quickly dispense powder and prevent the device from becoming too large, and a device that combines a powder dispensing device with a packaging device.

The present invention is a powder dispensing device that includes a holder that holds multiple powder containers in a line, and a moving mechanism that moves the holder to move a specific powder container to a dispensing position, the powder container has a dispensing outlet for dispensing the contained powder, the holder has a communication port formed at a position corresponding to the dispensing outlet of the powder container, and the powder is dispensed from the dispensing outlet of the powder container through the communication port.

The device may also be configured to include a weighing unit that weighs the powder dispensed from the powder container, and the moving mechanism may move the holder to move a specific powder container to a dispensing position above the weighing unit.

The present invention also provides a device that combines the powder dispensing device with a packaging device that packages the powder dispensed by the powder dispensing device.

As described above, the present invention provides a powder dispensing device that can quickly dispense powder and prevent the device from becoming too large, and a device that combines a powder dispensing device with a packaging device.

1 is a front view showing the appearance of a weighing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the weighing device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the weighing device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of a main part of the weighing device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the main part of the weighing device according to the embodiment, showing a case where weighing is performed automatically. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the main part of the weighing device according to the embodiment, showing a case where weighing is performed manually. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of the weighing device according to the embodiment, illustrating a state in which the dispensing outlet of the powder container is aligned with an opening formed in the table at the dispensing position. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration related to control of the weighing device according to the embodiment. 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining information displayed on an information display unit of the weighing device according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing a tray stacking section of a weighing device according to another embodiment.

The weighing device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The directions shown in the following description correspond to the directions shown in FIG. 3. The "width direction" is also referred to as the "left-right direction." The tray T (see FIG. 9) used in this embodiment moves in the order of the tray waiting section 4, the weighing section 3, and the tray stacking section 6. Therefore, in relation to the positional relationship of each component, the movement direction of the tray T may be likened to a flow and described using expressions such as "upstream."

[overview]
The weighing device 1 of this embodiment is a device that can mechanically perform the weighing work of powders, which has been performed manually by operators such as pharmacists when dispensing powders in the past, and can also be performed manually by an operator if necessary. This weighing device 1 can mechanically or manually supply and weigh powders to a tray T placed on the weighing section 3. Each tray T of this embodiment is supplied with one type of powder, and an operator mixes different types of powders as necessary in a later process (such as when feeding into a packaging device). However, it is also possible to supply multiple types of powders to each tray T in some cases.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the weighing device 1 of this embodiment mainly comprises a dispensing section 2, a weighing section 3, a tray waiting section 4, a tray transport section 5, a tray stacking section 6, an information writing section 7, a device-side display section 8, a control section 9, and a housing 10. The main configuration of each section will be explained below.

[Payment section]
The dispensing unit 2 includes a powder container 21 capable of accommodating a powder, a holder 22 for detachably holding the powder container 21, a moving mechanism 23 for moving the powder container 21 held by the holder 22, and a dispensing mechanism 24 for dispensing the powder from the powder container 21, and further includes a table 25 for supporting each of the powder container 21, the holder 22, the moving mechanism 23, and the dispensing mechanism 24. Note that Figures 3 to 6 show a state in which the powder container 21 is not attached to some of the holders 22.

(Powder container)
A plurality of powder containers 21 are provided in the horizontal direction. The powder containers 21 are moved by the moving mechanism 23 to a dispensing position P1 for dispensing the powder. The powder dispensed by the dispensing mechanism 24 falls from the powder container 21 and is stored in a tray T placed on the weighing unit 3 located below. In this embodiment, 14 powder containers 21 are provided. However, the number of powder containers 21 is not limited to this. In each of the powder containers 21 of this embodiment, powders are usually stored by type. That is, one type of powder is stored in one powder container 21. However, for example, for powders that are used in large amounts, one type of powder can be stored in two or more powder containers 21.

7, the powder container 21 has a cylindrical body 211, a bottom 212 provided at one end (lower end) of the body 211, and a lid 213 provided at the other end (upper end) of the body 211. The powder container 21 defines a space for containing the powder M by the body 211 and the bottom 212, and stores the contained powder M in the powder container 21 by closing the other end of the body 211 with the lid 213. Then, based on the weighing detection value in the weighing unit 3, a certain amount of powder M is dispensed from the dispensing mechanism 24 to the tray T. Hereinafter, the axial direction of the body 211 is referred to as the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the powder container 21 is arranged so that the axial direction is approximately the same as the vertical direction and stands on a horizontal plane. The powder container 21 is attached to and detached from the holder 22 with the bottom 212 positioned downward.

The body 211 is formed in a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the body 211 is formed of, for example, a transparent material. Therefore, the powder M contained in the body 211 can be seen from the outside of the body 211. This allows the amount of powder M in the powder container 21 to be known from the outside. The transparent material may occupy the entire body 211, or may occupy only a portion that serves as a viewing window.

The bottom 212 is formed with a dispensing outlet 212a for dispensing the powder M, and the powder M is dispensed from the dispensing outlet 212a.

The lid portion 213 is a portion that closes one end of the body portion 211. The lid portion 213 is attached to the body portion 211 so as to be rotatable about an axis that is parallel to the radial direction of the body portion 211.

(Holding body)
The holder 22 is a part that detachably holds the powder container 21. The holder 22 includes a holding body 221 that holds the powder container 21, and a fixed part 223 that is fixed to the moving mechanism 23. The holder 22 in this embodiment is configured to hold one powder container 21. Therefore, the number of holders 22 provided corresponds to the number of powder containers 21. Fourteen holders 22 are provided in this embodiment. However, the holder 22 may be configured to hold a plurality of powder containers 21 together.

The holding body 221 has a communication port 221a formed at a position corresponding to the dispensing outlet 212a of the powder container 21. As shown in FIG. 7, the powder M dispensed from the powder container 21 falls through the communication port 221a.

The fixed portion 223 is screwed to the moving mechanism 23 (described later), thereby fixing the holder 22 to the moving mechanism 23.

(Moving mechanism)
The moving mechanism 23 is a mechanism for moving the powder container 21 held by the holder 22. Specifically, the moving mechanism 23 moves the powder container 21 by moving the holder 22. The moving mechanism 23 moves the multiple powder containers 21 in the horizontal direction. The moving mechanism 23 of this embodiment moves the holder 22 in a circular motion in a horizontal plane. FIG. 5 shows a moving track Q of the powder container 21. The moving mechanism 23 of this embodiment has a moving body 231 that moves the holder 22 and a moving drive unit 232 for driving the moving body 231. In order to detect the powder container 21 at the dispensing position P1 and the mounting and demounting position P2 described later, an RFID reader/writer 233 that can read and write information from an RFID tag 214 (see FIG. 7) provided on the powder container 21 is provided at a position corresponding to the RFID tag 214 of the powder container 21 at the dispensing position P1 and the mounting and demounting position P2.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a dispensing position P1 is set on the moving track Q for dispensing powder from the powder container 21. In addition, a mounting/detaching position P2 is set on the moving track Q for attaching and detaching the powder container 21 to and from the holder 22. The mounting/detaching position P2 can be achieved, for example, by providing space above the powder container 21 only at the mounting/detaching position P2, and by making the powder container 21 unable to be attached or detached in other parts by getting caught on the ceiling portion inside the housing 10.

The attachment/detachment position P2 is provided at a different position in the horizontal direction from the dispensing position P1. In this embodiment, the attachment/detachment position P2 is a position where the powder container 21 next to the one in the dispensing position P1 is held, which is a position close to the dispensing position P1 when the dispensing position P1 is used as a reference. The reason why the attachment/detachment position P2 is not at the same position as the dispensing position P1 is that the tray T is located below the dispensing position P1, and the powder adhering to the powder container 21 to be attached/detached may fall, or the powder may fall from the holder 22 due to vibration during attachment/detachment, which may cause the powder to be unintentionally mixed into the tray T. This positional relationship allows the powder container 21 that has run out of powder to be moved to the attachment/detachment position P2, and the powder container 21 to be removed from the holder 22 and quickly replenished with powder. Furthermore, the powder container 21 after powder replenishment can be quickly moved to the dispensing outlet 212a. This makes it possible to shorten the time from when the powder container 21 runs out to when dispensing is resumed. However, if they are one position away from each other, when attaching or detaching the powder container 21 at the attachment/detachment position P2, the worker's hand or the powder container 21 being attached or detached may hit the powder container 21 at the dispensing position P1, which may cause the powder to fall unintentionally, so it is preferable to have them two or more positions away from each other.

In this embodiment, the moving mechanism 23 moves the holding body 22 in a circular motion, so that the moving orbit Q of the powder container 21 is a circular orbit. The moving mechanism 23 can move the powder container 21 in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions as necessary (for example, so that the moving distance to the dispensing position P1 is small). The moving orbit Q in this embodiment is elliptical. Therefore, the moving orbit Q, which is the circular orbit in this embodiment, is composed of a pair of straight orbits Q1 along which the holding body 22 moves in a straight line, and a pair of curved orbits Q2 along which the holding body 22 moves while curving. The moving orbit Q, which is the circular orbit, is not limited to an elliptical shape, and may be circular, elliptical, rectangular, or the like. In addition, the moving mechanism 23 is not limited to one that moves the holding body 22 in a circular motion, and may be one that moves the holding body 22 back and forth in a linear or curved manner within a predetermined range.

In this embodiment, the weighing section 3, tray waiting section 4, tray transfer section 5, and tray stacking section 6 are each located below the front side range (front half range) of the movement track Q.

Hereinafter, one side of the pair of straight tracks Q1 is the front side, and the other side is the back side (depth side), and the direction in which the pair of straight tracks Q1 face each other is the depth direction (sometimes referred to as the front-rear direction). The direction in which the pair of curved tracks Q2 face each other is the width direction (sometimes referred to as the left-right direction). The dispensing position P1 is set in the range on the front side of the moving track Q. The attachment/detachment position P2 is also set in the range on the front side of the moving track Q. In this embodiment, the size of the housing 10 is determined according to the length (size) of the moving track Q of the powder container 21. That is, the depth direction length of the housing 10 is determined based on the facing distance of the pair of straight tracks Q1 on the moving track Q of the powder container 21, and the width direction length of the housing 10 is determined based on the facing distance of the pair of curved tracks Q2.

The moving body 231 in this embodiment is configured as a belt whose surface is arranged along the vertical direction. The fixed portion 223 of the holding body 22 is fixed to this belt. The moving body 231 is formed in a ring shape. The center of the ring-shaped belt is the center of rotation about which the holding body 22 moves. The moving body 231 is formed in an elliptical shape. A moving track Q of the powder container 21 is formed along the circumferential direction of the moving body 231, and the holding body 22 and the powder container 21 move around the outer periphery of the moving body 231. The moving body 231 is provided with fixing portions 231a for fixing the fixed portion 223 of the holding body 22 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

The moving drive unit 232 moves the moving body 231 in a circular motion. The moving drive unit 232 drives or stops the moving body 231 based on a command from the control unit 9.

(Dispensing mechanism)
The dispensing mechanism 24 is a mechanism for dispensing the powder from the powder container 21 that has moved to a predetermined dispensing position P1 on the movement trajectory Q of the powder container 21. The dispensing mechanism 24 is configured to dispense a predetermined amount of the powder to the dispensing outlet 212a.

The dispensing drive unit 241 is provided at the dispensing position P1 in the dispensing unit 2, and generates a driving force in the dispensing mechanism 24 when dispensing. The dispensing drive unit 241 drives or stops driving the dispensing mechanism 24 in a connected state based on a command from the control unit 9.

(table)
The table 25 places the powder container 21, the holder 22, the moving mechanism 23, and the dispensing mechanism 24 on it. The table 25 is formed in a plate shape. The table 25 is formed in a rectangular shape having long and short sides corresponding to the moving track Q of the powder container 21. The moving track Q is set at approximately the center of the table 25. The moving body 231 is installed on the table 25 so that the longitudinal direction and the extending direction of the moving body 231 coincide with each other. The moving body 231 is installed in the center of the table 25. The table 25 is installed horizontally, and the powder container 21 and the holder 22 are arranged horizontally.

An opening 251 is formed in the table 25 at a position corresponding to the dispensing position P1 on the moving (circulating) track of the powder container 21. That is, when the holder 22 and the powder container 21 are located at the dispensing position P1, the dispensing outlet 212a of the powder container 21, the communication port 221a of the holder 22, and the opening 251 of the table 25 are vertically overlapped. This causes the powder in the powder container 21 to be dispensed.

The table 25 is provided with a shutter that is provided on the underside of the table 25 and opens and closes the opening 251 of the table 25. In this embodiment, the shutter is formed in a plate shape. The shutter may be disposed, for example, on the lower side of the holding body 221. Note that the shutter on this table 25 is not essential in the dispensing unit 2, and may not be provided.

[Weighing section]
The weighing unit 3 places a tray T that contains the powder dispensed from the powder container 21 on it, and weighs the powder supplied to the tray T. The weighing unit 3 also weighs the powder supplied to the tray T by the dispensing mechanism 24 without dispensing it from the powder container 21. The weighing unit 3 is positioned below the dispensing unit 2 and overlaps with the dispensing unit 2 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the weighing unit 3 is disposed under a table 25. The weighing unit 3 in this embodiment is an electronic balance. The weighing detection value in the weighing unit 3 is sent to the control unit 9. The weighing detection value is displayed on a display unit of the weighing unit (electronic balance) 3, and this display is visually confirmed by an operator when the powder is supplied to the tray T manually or the like without being dispensed from the powder container 21 by the dispensing mechanism 24.

The weighing unit 3 in this embodiment is configured to be movable in the depth direction. In an automatic weighing mode (first mode) described later, the weighing unit 3 can be located at a first position S1 on the rear side (farther from the operator) in the depth direction, and in a manual weighing mode (second mode) described later, the weighing unit 3 can be located at a second position S2 on the front side (closer to the operator) in the depth direction. The weighing unit 3 is placed on a stand 101 that is movable in the depth direction, and the weighing unit 3 moves when the stand 101 moves. The stand 101 is pulled out by the operator gripping the handle 102. However, it is also possible to provide a drive unit for pulling out the stand 101 so that the stand 101 is automatically pulled out when the mode is switched to the manual weighing mode.

Here, a lock unit 3a is provided on the door 10b installed on the front side of the weighing unit 3 in the housing 10. In the automatic weighing mode, the lock unit 3a locks the door 10b so that it cannot be opened, thereby holding the weighing unit 3 in an unmovable state at the first position S1 and preventing it from being moved to the second position S2. Note that the lock unit 3a can also be provided on the stand 101, and configured so that in the automatic weighing mode, the lock unit 3a locks the weighing unit 3 so that it cannot be moved.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first position S1 is a position where the weighing unit 3 at least partially overlaps with the dispensing unit 2 (table 25) in the vertical direction. The first position S1 is set below the dispensing position P1. Therefore, the first position S1 is a position suitable for automatic weighing. The second position S2 is a position where the weighing unit 3 is forward of the dispensing unit 2 (table 25). In the second position S2, the upper part of the weighing unit 3 is opened as a working space, and as described later, a space for performing manual weighing work in the manual weighing mode (second mode) is secured. Therefore, the second position S2 is a position suitable for manual weighing. As described above, it is sufficient that the first position S1 corresponds to the position during automatic weighing and the second position S2 corresponds to the position during manual weighing, so that the first position S1 and the second position S2 are not limited to the positional relationship in the depth direction as in this embodiment, and various positional relationships can be set.

[Tray standby section]
The tray standby section 4 is a section that holds the trays T before they are moved to the weighing section 3. The tray standby section 4 holds a plurality of trays T (nine in this embodiment, but not limited to this). The tray standby section 4 is configured to place the tray T thereon and transport it so that the tray transport section 5 can grasp the tray T. At least a portion of the tray standby section 4 (a portion on the rear side in this embodiment) is positioned below the dispensing section 2 and overlaps with the dispensing section 2 in the vertical direction. The tray standby section 4 has a standby tray transport section 41 for placing and transporting the tray T, and a standby drive section 42 for driving the standby tray transport section 41.

The waiting tray transfer section 41 is composed of a belt conveyor that extends in a predetermined direction. In this embodiment, the waiting tray transfer section 41 extends in the depth direction. A plurality of trays T are arranged in the direction in which the waiting tray transfer section 41 extends (depth direction) and are stacked. As an example, FIG. 3 shows a state in which three trays T are arranged in the depth direction, and a tray T is stacked on top of each tray T, resulting in a total of three layers of trays T (nine trays T). The waiting tray transfer section 41 in this embodiment is installed under the table 25 in the dispensing section 2. The waiting tray transfer section 41 is arranged so that more than half of the waiting tray transfer section 41 overlaps with the table 25 in the vertical direction in the depth direction. The waiting tray transfer section 41 moves from the front side to the back side, and moves the placed tray T to the back (rear) side in the depth direction, to below the transfer section main body 51 of the tray transfer section 5.

The standby drive unit 42 drives the standby tray transport unit 41. The standby drive unit 42 drives or stops the standby tray transport unit 41 based on a command from the control unit 9.

[Tray transfer section]
The tray transport section 5 is a section that transports the tray T. The tray transport section 5 is configured to at least remove the tray T from the weighing section 3 after weighing. Specifically, the tray transport section 5 is configured to move the tray T from the tray standby section 4 to the weighing section 3 prior to dispensing the powder, and to remove the tray T from the weighing section 3 after dispensing the powder. Furthermore, the tray transport section 5 of this embodiment places the tray T on the tray stacking section 6 after removing it from the weighing section 3. In this way, the tray transport section 5 is a section that transports the tray T in a series from the tray standby section 4 via the weighing section 3 to the tray stacking section 6. The tray transport section 5 is positioned below the dispensing section 2 so as to overlap the dispensing section 2 in the vertical direction.

The tray transport unit 5 has a transport unit main body 51 for transporting the tray T and a transport drive unit 52 for driving the transport unit main body 51.

The transfer unit main body 51 moves in the left-right direction (X direction) and the up-down direction (Y direction). The transfer unit main body 51 is configured to grip the tray T. In this embodiment, the transfer unit main body 51 has a pair of arms 51a. The transfer unit main body 51 grips the tray T with the pair of arms 51a and transports the tray T. The pair of arms 51a are spaced apart in the left-right direction and are configured to move toward and away from each other.

In a standby state in which the transfer unit main body 51 is not transferring the tray T, it is located above the tray standby unit 4. The position in the standby state is the standard position of the transfer unit main body 51. The transfer unit main body 51 is configured to be movable in the vertical and horizontal directions based on the standard position. In this embodiment, the transfer unit main body 51 does not move in the depth direction, but it can also be configured to be movable. When transferring the tray T placed on the tray standby unit 4 to the weighing unit 3, the transfer unit main body 51 moves downward (descends) from the standard position to grip the tray T, and moves upward (rises) while gripping the tray T. The transfer unit main body 51 moves to the right in the horizontal direction (the right side in FIG. 3) via the standard position, and stops above the weighing unit 3. Next, the transfer unit main body 51 moves downward to place the tray T on the weighing unit 3, releases the tray T after placement, and waits at the position where the tray T was released.

After the powder is dispensed onto the tray T, the transfer unit main body 51 grips the tray T containing the powder. It then rises while still gripping the tray T, and moves to the right. The transfer unit main body 51 moves to above the tray stacking unit 6, and at a specified position it descends and places the tray T on the tray stacking unit 6. After placing the tray T, the transfer unit main body 51 releases the tray T and moves upward. The transfer unit main body 51 then moves to the left (the left side in Figure 3) and returns to the standard position.

[Tray stacking section]
The tray stacking section 6 is a post-weighing tray storage area where the trays T containing the weighed powders are placed. The trays T placed in the tray stacking section 6 are removed by an operator and sent to a subsequent process (packaging device). The empty trays T after being sent to the subsequent process are cleaned by a suction device or the like to remove any remaining powders, and are then returned to the tray standby section 4 by the operator.

The tray stacking section 6 is positioned below and overlaps the dispensing section 2 (table 25). The tray stacking section 6 is configured to be able to place multiple trays T (three in this embodiment, but not limited to this). In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, of the three trays T lined up in the left-right direction, the right two trays are exposed to the front side, and these two trays T can be removed from the weighing device 1 by an operator. The tray stacking section 6 is configured to place and transport the trays T. The tray stacking section 6 has a stacking tray transport section 61 for placing and transporting the trays T, and a stacking drive section 62 for driving the stacking tray transport section 61.

The accumulation tray transfer section 61 is composed of a belt conveyor that extends in a predetermined direction. In this embodiment, the accumulation tray transfer section 61 extends in the left-right direction. A plurality of trays T are arranged in the direction in which the accumulation tray transfer section 61 extends (left-right direction). FIG. 3 shows, as an example, a state in which three trays T are arranged in the left-right direction (three trays T). In this embodiment, the accumulation tray transfer section 61 is installed under the table 25 in the dispensing section 2. The accumulation tray transfer section 61 is arranged so that almost the entire area overlaps with the table 25 in the up-down direction. When the transfer section main body 51 places the tray T on the accumulation tray transfer section 61 and returns to the standard position, the accumulation tray transfer section 61 moves from the left to the right in the left-right direction, and moves the placed tray T from left to right. As a result, the tray T moves to a position where it can be taken out of the weighing device 1.

The accumulation drive unit 62 drives the accumulation tray transport unit 61. The accumulation drive unit 62 drives or stops the accumulation tray transport unit 61 based on a command from the control unit 9.

The tray transfer unit 5 can also remove the tray T from the weighing unit 3, and then accumulate the tray T in the tray accumulation unit 6 for each supply instruction corresponding to the prescription information. To accommodate this, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the accumulation tray transfer unit 61 can be configured to form parallel tray accumulation units 6X, 6Y consisting of multiple parallel belt conveyors, and the trays T can be divided and placed on each tray accumulation unit 6X, 6Y in response to the supply instructions. In this case, the tray transfer unit 5 is configured to be able to move the tray T above the belt conveyors corresponding to the tray accumulation units 6X, 6Y. In other words, the tray transfer unit 5 functions as an allocation means that allocates multiple trays T for each supply instruction corresponding to the prescription information.

[Information writing section]
The information writing unit 7 writes information for identifying the powder, such as prescription information for the powder contained in the tray T, into the information display unit T1 provided on the tray T. Writing is performed by non-contact (wireless) power supply. Writing is performed in both the automatic weighing mode and the manual weighing mode, which will be described later. The prescription information for the powder contained therein is displayed on the information display unit T1. The information display unit T1 of the tray T will be described later. The information writing unit 7 is configured to be able to write an optically readable identifier into the information display unit T1. The information writing unit 7 is installed upstream of the weighing unit 3, and writes prescription information into the information display unit T1 before the tray T is placed on the weighing unit 3.

In this embodiment, the information writing unit 7 is disposed, for example, on the front side of the transport unit main body 51 located at the standard position (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3). The information writing unit 7 writes prescription information to the information display unit T1 on the path along which the tray T moves from the tray waiting unit 4 to the weighing unit 3. That is, the information writing unit 7 writes prescription information to the information display unit T1 before the powder is supplied to the tray T. For example, the information writing unit 7 may write prescription information for the tray T that is lifted by the transport unit main body 51 from the tray waiting unit 4 and stopped at the standard position. However, this is not limited to this, and the information writing unit 7 may write prescription information to the information display unit T1 before placing the tray T on the tray stacking unit 6. By doing so, it is possible to prevent mistakes from occurring when the operator removes the tray T from the tray stacking unit 6. However, if the manual weighing mode is assumed to be executed, the information writing unit 7 needs to write prescription information to the information display unit T1 before placing the tray T on the weighing unit 3. This prevents the powder from being dispensed from the powder container 21 by the dispensing mechanism 24, and prevents the powder from being dispensed incorrectly when manually or otherwise supplying the powder to the tray T.

In addition, the information writing unit 7 can write prescription information to the information display unit T1 after weighing in the weighing unit 3. In this case, the information written can include information about the actual supply (e.g., the weighing value (actual measurement value) and the fact that the amount of powder dispensed from the powder container does not reach the target amount) in addition to the prescription information. This makes it possible to alert the operator if there is a shortage of powder dispensed to the tray T, and prevents the powder from being mistakenly sent to a later process (such as packaging) without making up for the shortage.

[Device display section]
The device-side display unit 8 is a section that displays predetermined information related to the supply of powder. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the device-side display unit 8 is provided on the front side of the housing 10. In this embodiment, the device-side display unit 8 is a monitor. The device-side display unit 8 may also serve as an operation unit (operation panel) on which an operator performs predetermined operations.

[Control unit]
The control unit 9 is a part that controls the operation of the weighing device 1 as a whole. The main parts connected to the control unit 9 are shown in FIG. 8. The control unit 9 switches between an automatic weighing mode as a first mode in which the dispensing mechanism 24 dispenses the powder from the powder container 21 while weighing the powder with the weighing unit 3, and a manual weighing mode as a second mode in which the weighing unit 3 weighs the powder put into the tray T without dispensing the powder from the powder container 21 with the dispensing mechanism 24, according to a target value of the powder amount related to the supply instruction inputted through the connected instruction input unit 9a. The supply instruction includes, for example, the type of powder dispensed by the dispensing mechanism 24, the supply amount and the target value of each powder, etc. The instruction input unit 9a can take various forms, such as an input unit that receives prescription information from a host system installed in a dispensing pharmacy, a barcode reader, an RFID reader, a keyboard, and a touch panel.

In the automatic weighing mode, the control unit 9 drives the dispensing drive unit 241 to dispense powder from the powder container 21. The control unit 9 controls the drive of the dispensing drive unit 241 in accordance with the weighing detection value input from the weighing unit 3, and dispenses the amount of powder related to the supply instruction. The following multiple patterns can be exemplified as control by the control unit 9 in this embodiment.

The control unit 9 can set the automatic weighing mode when the powder related to the supply instruction is contained in the powder container 21, and can set the manual weighing mode when the powder is not contained in the powder. Specifically, when the powder to be dispensed is drug A, the control unit 9 inputs the powder related to the supply instruction as drug A together with the target value of the powder amount to be supplied. When the drug A is contained in the powder container 21, the control unit 9 causes the dispensing mechanism 24 to dispense the drug A (automatic weighing mode). On the other hand, when the drug A is not contained in the powder container 21, the control unit 9 does not instruct the dispensing mechanism 24 to dispense and executes the manual weighing mode. In this embodiment, in the automatic weighing mode, the powder is automatically weighed according to the target value of the powder amount related to the supply instruction. In the manual weighing mode, dispensing by the dispensing mechanism 24 is not performed, so for example, the operator transfers the drug A from a powder bottle containing the drug A to a tray T and weighs it with the weighing unit 3.

The control unit 9 can also be configured to allow the operator to select whether to continue dispensing in the automatic weighing mode by refilling the powder container 21 with powder and continue dispensing in the automatic weighing mode, or to switch to the manual weighing mode when there is a shortage of powder to be dispensed in the automatic weighing mode. That is, when the powder container 21 is empty, or when it is predicted that the amount of powder in the powder container 21 will be insufficient for the target value by the end of dispensing, the operator can select whether to refill the powder container 21 with powder and continue automatic weighing (automatic weighing mode), or to manually weigh the amount of powder that is insufficient for the target value (manual weighing mode). The operator can make this selection, for example, on an operation panel (such as the device-side display unit 8).

Here, the powder container 21 being empty can be detected by the absence of a change (specifically, an increase) in the weighing detection value in the weighing unit 3 for a certain period of time. Also, the shortage of the amount of powder in the powder container 21 can be predicted by comparing the target value of the powder amount related to the supply instruction with the remaining amount of powder known before dispensing begins.

In addition, when the amount of powder to be dispensed in the automatic weighing mode is insufficient, the control unit 9 can end the operation related to the automatic weighing mode and switch to the manual weighing mode. That is, the control unit 9 may automatically switch from the automatic weighing mode to the manual weighing mode without the judgment of the operator. In this case, the operator may be able to set in advance whether or not to cause the control unit 9 to perform the above control. The control unit 9 can display on the device-side display unit 8 the amount of powder that needs to be supplied to the tray T in the manual weighing mode. Specifically, the control unit 9 calculates the amount of powder that is insufficient from the weighing detection value of the powder contained in the tray T after the automatic weighing mode is terminated due to a shortage of powder and the target value of the amount of powder to be supplied to the tray T, and displays the amount of powder that is insufficient on the device-side display unit 8. As a result, when the second mode is switched to, the operator only needs to supply the displayed amount of powder to the tray T, making manual weighing work easier. Additionally, the device-side display unit 8 may not display the amount of powder that is lacking, but may instead display the weighing value of the powder contained in the tray T and the target amount of powder that should be supplied to the tray T, as long as the display allows the operator to grasp the amount of powder that is lacking.

In addition, when the multiple types of powders related to the supply instruction include powders that are contained in one of the multiple powder containers 21 and powders that are not, the control unit 9 can be configured to allow the operator to select whether to first switch to the automatic weighing mode and then the manual weighing mode, or to first switch to the manual weighing mode and then the automatic weighing mode. The control unit 9 can also switch to the automatic weighing mode and then the manual weighing mode without making the above selection. Furthermore, the control unit 9 can also switch to the manual weighing mode before the automatic weighing mode and then switch to the automatic weighing mode after the manual weighing mode is completed without making the above selection.

In addition, when the control unit 9 is instructed to execute the manual weighing mode while the automatic weighing mode is being executed when dispensing multiple types of powders, the control unit 9 can interrupt the automatic weighing mode and switch to the manual weighing mode when the dispensing of the powders being executed is completed.

In this embodiment, the control unit 9 activates the lock unit 3a in the automatic weighing mode to prevent the door 10b located in front of the weighing unit 3 from being opened. In addition, the control unit 9 releases the lock unit 3a in the manual weighing mode.

The control unit 9 moves the powder container 21 to the dispensing position P1, and then the tray transfer unit 5 moves the tray T from the tray waiting unit 4 to the weighing unit 3. That is, the control unit 9 controls the powder container 21 not to pass through the dispensing position P1 while the tray T is placed on the weighing unit 3.

When the table 25 has a shutter, the control unit 9 closes the shutter of the table 25 while the moving mechanism 23 is moving the multiple powder containers 21, and opens the shutter after the tray transfer unit 5 moves the tray T to the weighing unit 3. The control unit 9 also opens the shutter before dispensing the powder from the powder container 21. Specifically, the control unit 9 opens the shutter after the tray T is placed on the weighing unit 3 and after zero adjustment (tare) of the weighing unit 3.

[Case]
The housing 10 is configured to surround the dispensing section 2, the weighing section 3, the tray standby section 4, the tray transport section 5, the tray accumulation section 6, the information writing section 7, the device side display section 8, and the control section 9. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the housing 10 has a window 10a for attaching and detaching the powder container 21 at a position corresponding to the attachment/detachment position P2 of the powder container 21. In addition, the housing 10 has a door 10b installed on the front side of the weighing section 3 (Figs. 1 and 2 show the door 10b in an open state). In the manual weighing mode, the operator opens the door 10b and pulls out the weighing section 3 to the second position S2 to perform manual weighing. In addition to the above-mentioned parts, the housing 10 can be provided with various mechanisms for supporting operations required for supplying powder, such as a journal printer for printing prescription information of the supplied powder and information on the supply result on paper, and a barcode reader for managing the powder container 21.

[Tray]
The tray T used in the weighing device 1 of this embodiment is for containing the powder medicine to be supplied. This tray T is shaped so that it can weigh the supplied powder medicine by being placed on the weighing unit 3 and can be transported by the tray transport unit 5, and in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, is formed in a flat, generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open upper end. It is preferable that a plurality of trays T are shaped so that they can be stacked upward as shown in Fig. 3. In addition, this tray T has side projections T2 that engage with a pair of arms 51a of the tray transport unit 5 or on which an operator can hook his/her fingers.

As shown in FIG. 9, the tray T includes an information display unit T1 that displays prescription information for the powder medicine contained therein. The information display unit T1 is provided on one of the four sides. The information display unit T1 of this embodiment is configured to be attached to the main body of the tray T by inserting it as shown in the figure, but can also be attached to the side of the tray T, for example. In this embodiment, a display unit equipped with electronic paper is used as the information display unit T1. Since electronic paper can hold the display content without requiring power, it can contribute to energy saving compared to, for example, liquid crystal display. In addition, the information displayed on the information display unit T1 can be rewritten by the information writing unit 7. In addition, the information display unit T1 of this embodiment is configured so that the display written by the information writing unit 7 is held until the next writing by the information writing unit 7. It is also possible to configure the information display unit T1 to be read by a downstream device (such as a packaging device) and the display of the information display unit T1 including the identifier be erased.

Various information can be displayed on the information display unit T1. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the prescription information can display the reception number J1, reception date and time J2, patient name J3, age J4, drug name J5, drug type symbol J6, weighing value J7, barcode J8, RP number J9, etc. The prescription information also includes information such as patient information (patient name, patient ID, patient's date of birth, patient's age), drug information (drug name, drug code, dosage), usage information (usage, usage code), medication information (oral, external, etc.), consultation type (outpatient, hospitalization, etc.), and prescription issuance date and time. The reception number J1 is a number that is assigned to each prescription information when a host system installed in a dispensing pharmacy receives prescription information from a higher-level computer such as a prescription ordering system. The reception date and time J2 is the date and time when the host system receives the prescription information. In the host system, in order to assign dispensing instructions to each dispensing device based on the prescription information received from the upper computer, the prescription information is classified according to specific conditions such as drug type, dosage, and time of administration, and an RP number (RP1, RP2, ...) is assigned to each grouped data. In addition, information required to operate each dispensing device (patient name, patient ID, patient's date of birth, patient's age, drug name, drug code, dosage, dosage, dosage code, etc.) is extracted from the prescription information received from the upper system. Then, in the host system, the reception number and reception date and time, the RP number of each grouped data, and the extracted prescription information corresponding to each data are linked and stored, and dispensing information for operating each dispensing device is generated. The control unit 9 acquires the dispensing information and issues a supply instruction based on the acquired dispensing information.

The display corresponding to the barcode J8 may be an optically readable identifier such as a two-dimensional code, in addition to the barcode (one-dimensional code) shown in the figure. The identifier stores information specific to each dispensing information generated by the host system. The identifier has the advantage that the information can be easily read by a reading means such as a barcode reader, making it easy to process mechanically in a later process. For this reason, for example, by reading the identifier with a reading means, the dispensing information stored in the host system can be called up, and a system can be constructed in which the dispensing information can be automatically input from the host system to the packaging device. Furthermore, an electrically readable identifier such as an RFID tag can be provided in the information display unit T1 instead of or in addition to the optically readable identifier.

[Instructions for use]
A method of using the weighing device 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be outlined below. Note that the following method of use is merely an example and is not limited to this. Prior to use, an operator places powder in each of the multiple powder containers 21. At this time, different types of powder can be placed in each powder container 21, or the same type of powder can be placed in two or more powder containers 21. Next, the operator attaches the powder container 21 containing the powder to the holder 22 at the attachment/detachment position P2.

Next, prescription information is input to the weighing device 1 via the instruction input unit 9a. The control unit 9 then controls the tray transport unit 5 to move the tray T in the tray standby unit 4 to the weighing unit 3, and operates the moving mechanism 23 to move the holder 22 in a circular motion. The control unit 9 operates the information writing unit 7 for the tray T during the movement to write prescription information to the information display unit T1 provided on the tray T. When the powder container 21 containing the powder to be dispensed reaches the dispensing position P1, the control unit 9 stops the moving mechanism 23. When the powder container 21 containing the powder to be dispensed is positioned at the dispensing position P1, the control unit 9 moves the tray T to the weighing unit 3.

Next, the control unit 9 operates the dispensing mechanism 24 to start dispensing the powder. The control unit 9 controls the dispensing mechanism 24 based on the weighing detection value sent from the weighing unit 3, and stops driving the dispensing mechanism 24 when the amount of powder corresponding to the prescription information is supplied to the tray T.

Next, the control unit 9 controls the tray transport unit 5 to move the tray T with the powder supply from the weighing unit 3 to the tray stacking unit 6. The worker holds the tray T that has been moved to the tray stacking unit 6 by hand and inserts it into a packaging device, etc.

The above description is a method of use in the automatic weighing mode. In the manual weighing mode, as in the automatic weighing mode, the tray T in the tray waiting section 4 is moved to the weighing section, and during the movement, the information writing section 7 is operated to write prescription information to the information display section T1 provided on the tray T. When the tray T is moved to the weighing section, the control section 9 unlocks the lock section 3a. This allows the door 10b to be opened. The worker opens the door 10b, grasps the handle 102, and pulls out the weighing section 3 together with the stand 101 to the second position S2. The tray T may be placed on the weighing section 3 by the worker without moving the tray T to the weighing section 3 by the tray transport section 5. In this case, the control section 9 unlocks the lock section 3a by the operator operating the device side display section 8, etc. Then, after the weighing section is pulled out to the second position S2, the powder is supplied to the tray T from the powder bottle. The operator adjusts the supply amount to correspond to the prescription information while visually checking the weighing detection value displayed on the display unit of the weighing unit 3. The operator removes the tray T supplied with the powder from the weighing unit 3 and places it in a packaging device or the like. After the powder is supplied to the tray T, the weighing unit may be returned to the first position S1, and the control unit 9 may control the tray transport unit 5 to move the tray T supplied with the powder from the weighing unit 3 to the tray accumulation unit 6, as in the automatic weighing mode.

[Summary of the embodiment]
Combinations of configurations in the weighing device 1 according to the above-described embodiment and the actions that can be expected from the combinations of configurations will be described below in first to fifth embodiments.

First Embodiment
The weighing device 1 of the first embodiment has a powder container 21 capable of holding powder, and comprises a dispensing unit 2 that dispenses the powder from the powder container 21, a weighing unit 3 on which a tray T is placed to receive the powder dispensed from the powder container 21 and which weighs the powder dispensed onto the tray T, a tray transport unit 5 that removes the tray T from the weighing unit 3 after weighing, and a tray accumulation unit 6 on which a plurality of trays T containing weighed powder are placed.

According to the above configuration, the trays T containing powder are placed on the tray stacking section 6, and the trays T are temporarily held on the tray stacking section 6. Therefore, the powder can be supplied to the next tray while the tray T is placed on the tray stacking section 6, and there is no need to remove the tray T containing the powder from the weighing device 1 each time the powder is supplied. In addition, the powder to be packaged next can be weighed even if the packaging is not completed, so the operating rate of the weighing device is not reduced. Compared to a configuration in which the post-processing such as packaging is performed immediately after weighing, the worker can use another dispensing device such as a packaging device to dispense the powder contained in any of the multiple trays T, so that the degree of freedom of the post-processing after weighing can be increased. In addition, multiple types of powder can be weighed in advance, and each powder can be packaged in parallel using multiple packaging devices.

The weighing device 1 also includes an information writing unit 7 that writes information for identifying the powder contained in the tray T to the information display unit T1 provided on the tray T.

According to the above configuration, the information display unit provided on the tray T displays information for identifying the powder contained in the tray, which prevents the worker from picking up the wrong tray T. It also prevents the worker from supplying the wrong powder to a packaging device or the like in a later process. It also prevents the worker from supplying the wrong powder to the tray T manually or otherwise without dispensing it from the powder container 21 by the dispensing unit 2.

In addition, the information writing unit 7 writes an optically readable identifier to the information display unit T1.

According to the above configuration, the information writing unit 7 writes an optically readable identifier to the information display unit T1. Therefore, by providing the dispensing device with a device for reading the identifier, the powder contained in the tray T can be identified in the dispensing device.

In addition, electronic paper is used as the information display unit T1.

With this configuration, the contents displayed on the information display unit T1 can be maintained without requiring power. In addition, the information displayed on the information display unit T1 can be rewritten by the information writing unit 7.

The tray transfer unit 5 also removes the tray T from the weighing unit 3, and then stacks the tray T in the tray stacking unit 6 for each supply instruction corresponding to the prescription information.

According to the above configuration, the trays are collected in the tray stacking section according to the supply instruction corresponding to the prescription information, so that the operator is less likely to be confused as to which supply instruction the tray T corresponds to.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, there is no need to remove the tray T containing the powder from the weighing device 1 each time the powder is supplied, and the next powder to be packaged can be weighed even if packaging is not completed, so the operating rate of the weighing device 1 is not reduced. In addition, the degree of freedom of post-processing after weighing can be increased. In addition, multiple types of powder can be packaged in parallel, for example, using multiple packaging devices. Therefore, it is possible to provide a weighing device 1 that is easy to use and can weigh powder efficiently.

Second Embodiment
The weighing device 1 of the second embodiment includes a dispensing unit 2 having a plurality of powder containers 21 each capable of containing a powder and having a dispensing outlet 212a, a moving mechanism 23 for moving the plurality of powder containers 21, and a dispensing mechanism 24 for dispensing powder from the powder containers 21 that have moved to a predetermined dispensing position P1 on a movement track Q of the plurality of powder containers 21; a weighing unit 3 on which a tray T for receiving powder dispensed from the powder containers 21 is placed and which weighs the powder dispensed onto the tray T; The dispensing unit 2 comprises a tray waiting unit 4 which holds a number of the trays T, a tray transport unit 5 which moves the tray T from the tray waiting unit 4 to the weighing unit 3 and removes the tray T from the weighing unit 3 after dispensing, and a post-weighing tray storage area 6 on which the trays T containing the weighed powder are placed, and the dispensing unit 2 has the multiple powder containers 21 arranged horizontally, and the tray waiting unit 4, tray transport unit 5, weighing unit 3, and post-weighing tray storage area 6 are each positioned below the dispensing unit 2, overlapping each other.

According to the above configuration, multiple powder containers 21 are arranged horizontally in the dispensing section 2, and the tray waiting section 4, tray transport section 5, weighing section 3, and post-weighing tray storage area 6 are each positioned below the dispensing section 2, overlapping each other. This allows for effective use of the space below the dispensing section 2. As a result, the components within the device can be arranged three-dimensionally, allowing the device to be made small in both width and depth directions, and it can be placed in a narrow space.

In addition, multiple trays T are arranged in the depth direction in the tray waiting section 4.

With this configuration, the trays T on the tray standby section 4 are arranged in the depth direction, so the number of trays that can be held in the tray standby section 4 can be increased without increasing the width dimension of the device.

The post-weighing tray storage area 6 is a tray stacking section 6 on which multiple trays T containing weighed powder are placed, and the tray stacking section 6 is positioned below and overlaps the dispensing section 2.

According to the above configuration, the tray stacking section 6 on which multiple trays T are placed is positioned below and overlaps the dispensing section 2, so multiple trays T after weighing can be placed in the space below the dispensing section 2. Therefore, even when multiple trays T are placed in the post-weighing tray placement area 6, multiple trays T can be stacked while keeping the device compact without expanding the device in the width and depth directions.

The dispensing unit 2 also has a plurality of holders 22 that detachably hold the plurality of powder containers 21, and the plurality of holders 22 are configured to revolve on a circular track Q that extends from the front side to the rear side.

According to the above configuration, the holding body 22 is configured to move on a circular track Q that extends from the front side to the rear side, so that the moving tracks Q can be overlapped on the front side and the rear side when viewed from the front. This allows the weighing device 1 to be configured to be small in the width direction.

The tray waiting section 4, the tray transport section 5, the weighing section 3, and the post-weighing tray placement area 6 are each located below the front side range of the circular track Q.

According to the above configuration, the tray waiting section 4, tray transfer section 5, weighing section 3, and post-weighing tray storage area 6 are located below the front side of the circular track Q, making it easy for workers to access each section from the front side where they work, and facilitating manual dispensing or removal of the weighed trays T.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the components within the device can be arranged three-dimensionally, so the device can be made small in the width and depth directions and can be placed in a narrow space. Therefore, it is possible to provide a weighing device 1 that can be installed in a narrow space.

Third Embodiment
The weighing device 1 of the third embodiment includes a dispensing unit 2 having a plurality of powder containers 21 each capable of containing powder and having a dispensing outlet 212a, a plurality of holders 22 for detachably holding the plurality of powder containers 21, a moving mechanism 23 for moving the plurality of powder containers 21 held by the holders 22, and a dispensing mechanism 24 for dispensing powder from the powder containers 21 that have moved to a predetermined dispensing position P1 on a movement trajectory Q of the plurality of powder containers 21, and a dispensing unit 2 located below the dispensing position P1 and carrying a tray T for receiving the powder dispensed from the powder containers 21. and a weighing unit 3 which places the powder container 21 on the tray T and weighs the powder dispensed onto the tray T, the multiple powder containers 21 are arranged horizontally in the dispensing unit 2, the moving mechanism 23 moves the multiple powder containers 21 horizontally, the powder containers 21 are moved to the dispensing position P1 by the moving mechanism 23, the powder dispensed by the dispensing mechanism 24 falls and is contained in the tray T placed on the weighing unit 3, and an attachment/detachment position P2 at which the powder container 21 can be attached and detached to the holder 22 is provided at a position horizontally different from the dispensing position P1.

According to the above configuration, the position where the powder is dispensed from the powder container 21 and the position where the powder container 21 is attached to and detached from the holder 22 are set at different positions in the horizontal direction, so that when the powder container 21 is attached or detached, the tray T is not positioned below the powder container 21 involved in the attachment or detachment. This makes it possible to prevent powder adhering to the dispensing outlet 212a or holder 22 of the powder container 21 to be attached or detached from accidentally falling onto the weighing unit 3 or the tray T placed on the weighing unit 3.

The multiple holders 22 are configured to revolve on an orbit Q extending from the front side to the back side, and the attachment/detachment position P2 is located in the front side range of the orbit Q.

According to the above configuration, the attachment/detachment position P2 is located on the front side of the orbit Q, so that the worker can easily access the powder container 21 from the front side where the worker works, and attachment/detachment is easy.

In addition, the attachment/detachment position P2 may be located on the holder 22 that is one to three positions away from the dispensing position P1.

According to the above configuration, the attachment/detachment position P2 is set at a position where the holder 22 is located one to three positions away from the dispensing position P1. This allows the powder container 21 to be quickly moved from the dispensing position P1 to the attachment/detachment position P2. Moreover, after the powder container 21 is attached at the attachment/detachment position P2, the powder container 21 can be quickly moved to the dispensing position P1, thereby shortening the time required for attaching and detaching the powder container 21.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to prevent powder remaining in the dispensing outlet 212a or the holder 22 of the powder container 21 to be attached or detached from accidentally falling onto the weighing unit 3 or onto the tray T placed on the weighing unit 3. This makes it possible to prevent different types of powder from being mixed together (cross-contamination), and to provide a safe weighing device 1.

Fourth Embodiment
The weighing device 1 of the fourth embodiment has a powder container 21 capable of holding powder, and comprises a dispensing unit 2 that dispenses the powder from the powder container 21, a weighing unit 3 on which a tray T is placed to receive the powder dispensed from the powder container 21 and that weighs the powder dispensed onto the tray T, and a control unit 9 that controls the operation of the entire device, and the control unit 9 is capable of switching between an automatic weighing mode (first mode) in which the dispensing unit 2 dispenses the powder from the powder container 21 while weighing it with the weighing unit 3, according to a target value of the powder amount related to an input supply instruction, and a manual weighing mode (second mode) in which the weighing unit 3 weighs the powder put into the tray T without dispensing the powder from the powder container 21 by the dispensing unit 2.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to switch between the automatic weighing mode (first mode) and the manual weighing mode (second mode), so that when supplying powder that is not contained in the powder container 21 and cannot be dispensed in the automatic weighing mode (first mode) (including cases where it cannot be dispensed due to insufficient remaining amount), it is possible to switch to the manual weighing mode (second mode) and weigh the desired powder.

In addition, the control unit 9 selects the automatic weighing mode (first mode) if the powder related to the supply instruction is contained in the powder container 21, and selects the manual weighing mode (second mode) if the powder is not contained in the powder container 21.

According to the above configuration, even if the powder container 21 does not contain the powder related to the supply instruction, by operating in the manual weighing mode (second mode), powder that is not prepared in the dispensing unit 2 can also be weighed.

In addition, when there is a shortage of powder to be dispensed in the automatic weighing mode (first mode), the control unit 9 allows the operator to select whether to refill the powder container 21 with powder and continue dispensing in the automatic weighing mode (first mode), or to switch to the manual weighing mode (second mode).

According to the above configuration, the powder container 21 can be refilled with powder during dispensing to continue dispensing. Also, the powder can be weighed manually without refilling the powder container 21. In this way, it is up to the operator to decide whether to dispense in the automatic weighing mode (first mode) or the manual weighing mode (second mode), which increases the degree of freedom in the work.

In addition, when there is a shortage of powder to be dispensed in the automatic weighing mode (first mode), the control unit 9 terminates the operation related to the automatic weighing mode (first mode) and transitions to the manual weighing mode (second mode).

According to the above configuration, if there is a shortage of powder to be dispensed in the automatic weighing mode (first mode), the mode automatically switches to the manual weighing mode (second mode), simplifying the operation.

The weighing device 1 further includes a device-side display unit 8, and the control unit 9 causes the device-side display unit 8 to display the amount of powder that needs to be added to the tray in the manual weighing mode (second mode).

According to the above configuration, the amount of powder that needs to be added to the tray T in the manual weighing mode (second mode) can be displayed on the device side display unit 8, so that the operator can know the amount of powder that is insufficient to be supplied to the tray T, thereby reducing the burden of manual weighing work.

The dispensing unit has a plurality of the powder containers 21, each of which contains powder by type, and when the plurality of types of powder related to the supply instruction include powder contained in one of the plurality of powder containers 21 and powder that is not, the control unit 9 can select whether to first switch to the automatic weighing mode (first mode) and then to the manual weighing mode (second mode), or to first switch to the manual weighing mode (second mode) and then to the automatic weighing mode (first mode).

According to the above configuration, by selecting the automatic weighing mode (first mode) followed by the manual weighing mode (second mode), the operator can proceed with preparations for the manual weighing mode (second mode) while the automatic weighing mode (first mode) is being executed. Alternatively, by selecting the automatic weighing mode (first mode) followed by the manual weighing mode (second mode), the manual weighing mode (second mode) can be manually terminated first, so that the operator does not need to wait until the automatic weighing mode (first mode) is terminated while the automatic weighing mode (first mode) is being executed thereafter.

The dispensing unit has a plurality of powder containers 21, each of which contains powder by type, and when the plurality of types of powder related to the supply instruction include some powder contained in one of the plurality of powder containers 21 and some powder that is not, the control unit 9 first switches to the automatic weighing mode (first mode) and then to the manual weighing mode (second mode).

According to the above configuration, the time while the automatic weighing mode (first mode) is being performed (during automatic dispensing) can be used to, for example, proceed with preparations for manual work required in the manual weighing mode (second mode), so that the manual weighing mode (second mode) can be immediately switched to after the automatic weighing mode (first mode) has ended, allowing efficient weighing.

In addition, when the control unit 9 is instructed to execute the manual weighing mode (second mode) during execution of the automatic weighing mode (first mode) when dispensing multiple types of powders, it interrupts the automatic weighing mode (first mode) and transitions to the manual weighing mode (second mode) when the dispensing of the powders being executed is completed.

According to the above configuration, for example, when it is desired to manually supply powder that urgently needs to be dispensed quickly, the automatic weighing mode (first mode) can be interrupted and the powder can be supplied manually. Also, when the automatic supply in the automatic weighing mode (first mode) is being performed and the worker has free time, the powder can be supplied manually. In this way, even if the automatic weighing mode (first mode) is being executed, it is possible to switch to the manual weighing mode (second mode) at the desired timing, so that it is possible to flexibly respond to the working situation of the worker.

The dispensing unit 2 has a plurality of the powder containers 21, each of which contains powder by type, and when the plurality of types of powder related to the supply instruction include powder contained in one of the plurality of powder containers 21 and powder not contained therein, the control unit 9 switches to the manual weighing mode (second mode) prior to the automatic weighing mode (first mode), and switches to the automatic weighing mode (first mode) after the manual weighing mode (second mode) is terminated.

With this configuration, the manual weighing mode (second mode) can be manually ended first, so that while the automatic weighing mode (first mode) is being executed thereafter, the operator does not need to wait until the automatic weighing mode (first mode) is finished.

The weighing device 1 also includes an information writing unit 7 which is provided on the tray T and which writes prescription information for the powder contained therein into an information display unit T1 before weighing is started in the weighing unit 3.

According to the above configuration, the information display unit T1 is displayed before weighing begins in the weighing unit 3, so there is no risk of manually supplying the wrong powder, and the tray T can then be sent to the next process immediately and without error.

In addition, the display of the information display unit T1 is maintained until the next time the information is written by the information writing unit 7.

This configuration makes it possible to ascertain the amount of powder contained in the tray T at the time of the previous supply, which can be used as an indicator for cleaning the tray T.

The weighing unit 3 is configured to be movable and includes a locking unit 3a that prevents the weighing unit 3 from moving in the automatic weighing mode (first mode), and the control unit 9 releases the locking unit 3a in the manual weighing mode (second mode).

According to the above configuration, even if an operator mistakenly tries to use the weighing unit 3 while automatic supply is being performed in the automatic weighing mode (first mode), the locking unit 3a prevents the weighing unit 3 from moving, and the automatic weighing mode (first mode) can be prevented from being interrupted. In addition, in the manual weighing mode (second mode), the weighing unit 3 can be moved to the working position.

The weighing unit 3 is also configured to be movable, and the control unit 9 positions the weighing unit 3 below a dispensing position P1, where the powder is dispensed from the powder container 21, during the automatic weighing mode (first mode), and moves the weighing unit 3 to a position where a working space can be secured for manually adding the powder during the manual weighing mode (second mode).

According to the above configuration, during the automatic weighing mode (first mode), the weighing unit 3 cannot be moved from a location below the dispensing position P1 that is difficult for the worker to reach, thereby preventing the worker from accidentally moving the weighing unit 3 during the automatic weighing mode (first mode), and during the manual weighing mode (second mode), the weighing unit 3 can be moved to a position where a working space can be secured, making it easier for the worker to work.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, when dispensing powder that is not contained in the powder container 21 and cannot be dispensed in the automatic weighing mode (first mode) (including cases where there is insufficient remaining powder), the mode can be switched to the manual weighing mode (second mode) to weigh the desired powder. Therefore, it is possible to provide a weighing device that can efficiently prepare powder in response to a supply instruction.

Fifth Embodiment
The weighing device 1 of the fifth embodiment includes a dispensing unit 2 having a plurality of powder containers 21 each capable of containing powder and having a dispensing outlet 212a, a moving mechanism 23 for moving the plurality of powder containers 21, and a dispensing mechanism 24 for dispensing powder from the powder containers 21 that have moved to a predetermined dispensing position P1 on a movement track Q of the plurality of powder containers 21, and a weighing unit 3 located below the dispensing position P1, on which a tray T is placed to receive the powder dispensed from the powder containers 21 and which weighs the powder dispensed onto the tray T, and a weighing unit 4 for holding the plurality of trays T before being moved to the weighing unit 3. The apparatus comprises a tray waiting section 4 which holds a tray T, a tray transport section 5 which moves the tray T from the tray waiting section 4 to the weighing section 3 and removes the tray T from the weighing section 3 after dispensing, and a control section 9 which controls the operation of the entire apparatus, the powder container 21 is moved to the dispensing position P1 by the moving mechanism 23, the powder dispensed by the dispensing mechanism 24 falls and is contained in a tray T placed on the weighing section 3, the control section 9 moves the powder container 21 to the dispensing position P1, and then the tray transport section 5 moves the tray T from the tray waiting section 4 to the weighing section 3.

According to the above configuration, the control unit 9 moves the powder container 21 to the dispensing position P1, and then the tray transfer unit 5 moves the tray T from the tray waiting unit 4 to the weighing unit 3. Therefore, when the powder container 21 containing powder not to be dispensed passes above the tray T, even if the powder adhering to the dispensing outlet 212a of the powder container 21 and its surrounding area falls, the tray T is not placed below the dispensing outlet 212a, so the fallen powder can be prevented from entering the tray T. In this way, according to the above configuration, cross-contamination caused by powder not to be dispensed being stored in the tray T can be prevented.

The device further includes a shutter located between the dispensing unit 2 and the weighing unit 3 to prevent powder from falling from the powder container 21 moving above the weighing unit 3 onto the weighing unit 3, and the control unit 9 closes the shutter while the moving mechanism 23 is moving the multiple powder containers 21, and opens the shutter after the tray transport unit 5 moves the tray T to the weighing unit 3.

According to the above configuration, the control unit 9 closes the shutter while the moving mechanism 23 is moving the multiple powder containers 21, and opens the shutter after the tray transfer unit 5 moves the tray T to the weighing unit 3. Therefore, the shutter can be kept closed until the tray T is placed on the weighing unit 3, and powder that is not to be dispensed can be prevented from falling onto the weighing unit 3 or the tray T.

In addition, after the tray T is placed on the weighing unit 3 and after zero adjustment of the weighing unit 3, the control unit 9 opens the shutter to dispense the powder from the powder container.

According to the above configuration, the shutter is opened after the weighing unit 3 is zero-adjusted, so the powder can be weighed accurately.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to prevent cross-contamination caused by powders that are not to be dispensed being stored in the tray T. Therefore, it is possible to prevent different types of powders from being mixed together (cross-contamination), and to provide a safe weighing device.

[Possible Modifications of the Embodiment]
It should be noted that the weighing device 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In other words, even if a configuration is not explicitly stated in the above-described embodiment, it can be modified within the scope of the present invention as long as it has the same effect as the explicitly stated configuration, and the fact that the configuration is not explicitly stated does not mean that it is intentionally excluded.

For example, the tray stacking unit 6 can be provided with a display corresponding to each section on which a tray T is placed. In this case, for example, when packaging information is called up by a packaging device related to a later process, the corresponding display can be configured to be in a display state. For example, an LED lamp can be used as the display. This configuration is advantageous in that the section on the tray stacking unit 6 corresponding to the packaging information can be recognized, and the worker can easily know which tray T is required for packaging.

The weighing unit 3 can also be provided with two units: a first weighing unit that weighs the powder dispensed from the powder container 21 onto the tray T, and a second weighing unit that weighs the powder manually placed onto the tray. In this case, the tray transfer unit 5 can be configured to distribute the tray T to the first weighing unit or the second weighing unit depending on whether the mode is automatic weighing or manual weighing.

In addition, with regard to the control unit 9, when multiple supply instructions are input to the weighing device 1 and the multiple supply instructions include an instruction to dispense the same type of powder, the control unit 9 can also set the order so that the same powder is dispensed consecutively. This makes it possible to shorten the overall dispensing time corresponding to multiple supply instructions.

The control unit 9 can also determine whether to use the automatic weighing mode or the manual weighing mode depending on the information on the type of powder contained in the supply instruction. For example, with regard to controlled drugs (poisons, powerful drugs, narcotics, psychotropic drugs, etc.), if cross-contamination occurs, serious adverse effects can occur, so if information on a controlled drug is included in the supply instruction, the controlled drug can be dispensed manually.

The control unit 9 can also be configured to be equipped with a camera capable of photographing the display unit of the weighing unit (electronic balance) 3, and to check whether the display information of the weighing detection value in the weighing unit 3 obtained by the camera matches the weighing value J7 displayed on the information display unit T1 of the tray T.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the tray T is described as using electronic paper as the information display unit T1, but this is not limited to this. For example, various display means such as an LCD screen can be used. Furthermore, although it is less convenient, a printable sheet such as paper can be used as the information display unit T1, and a printer can be used as the information writing unit 7.

Furthermore, with regard to the trays T, it is possible to provide each tray with unique identification information. In this case, the control unit 9 can store the correspondence between a specific tray T and the powder contained in that tray T, and fix the powder contained in that tray T. This can prevent cross-contamination that may occur if a different type of powder remains in the tray T.

Furthermore, multiple trays T with different capacities can be used. In this case, the control unit 9 can store the correspondence between a tray T with a specific capacity and the powder contained in that tray T. This allows a tray T with a large capacity to be used for powder with a large dispensing amount, and a tray T with a small capacity to be used for powder with a small dispensing amount. This makes it easier to remove the powder when sending it to the next process.

The weighing device may have a holder that holds multiple powder containers arranged on the same plane, a movement mechanism that moves the holder to move the powder containers horizontally, a tray waiting section that holds multiple trays, a dispensing mechanism, a weighing section, a tray mounting section, and a tray transport section that moves the trays, and may move the trays held in the tray waiting section to the tray mounting section by the tray transport section, move the holder horizontally to move a specific powder container to a dispensing position above the tray mounting section, dispense powder from the powder container by the dispensing mechanism and transfer the powder to the tray, detect the weight of the powder transferred to the tray by the weighing section, and stop dispensing powder by the dispensing mechanism when a predetermined amount of powder has been transferred to the tray.

According to the above configuration, when the amount of powder corresponding to the prescription information is supplied to the tray based on the weighing detection value, the operation of the dispensing mechanism is stopped, so that weighing can be performed automatically to obtain the amount of powder corresponding to the prescription information.

The holder may also be configured to have a communication port formed therein, so that the powder dispensed from the powder container passes through the communication port.

1...weighing device, 2...dispensing section, 21...powder container, 211...body section, 212...bottom section, 212a...dispensing outlet, 213...lid section, 214...RFID tag, 22...holding body, 221...holding main body, 221a...communicating port, 223...fixed section, 23...moving mechanism, 231...moving main body, 231a...fixed section, 232...moving drive section, 24...dispensing mechanism, 241...dispensing drive section, 25...table, 251...opening, 3...weighing section, 3a...lock section, 4...tray standby section, 41...standby tray transport section, 42...standby drive section, 5...tray transport section, 51...Transport unit main body, 51a...Arm, 52...Transport drive unit, 6...Tray accumulation unit (place to place trays after weighing), 6X, 6Y...Parallel tray accumulation unit, 61...Accumulation tray transport unit, 62...Accumulation drive unit, 7...Information writing unit, 8...Device side display unit, 9...Control unit, 9a...Instruction input unit, 10...Housing, 10a...Detachable window, 101...Stand, M...Powder, P1...Dispensing position, P2...Attachment/detachment position, Q...Movement orbit (circular orbit), Q1...Straight orbit, Q2...Curved orbit, S1...First position, S2...Second position, T...Tray, T1...Information display unit

Claims (3)

A holder that holds a plurality of powder containers in an aligned manner;
A moving mechanism that moves the holder and moves a specific powder container to a dispensing position;
A dispensing mechanism that dispenses powder from the powder container;
A weighing unit that weighs the powder dispensed from the powder container;
A control unit,
The powder container is provided with a dispensing port for dispensing the contained powder,
The holder has a communication port formed at a position corresponding to the dispensing outlet of the powder container,
Dispensing the powder from the dispensing outlet of the powder container through the communication port;
The control unit controls the dispensing mechanism based on the weighing detection value of the weighing unit, and stops dispensing of powder when an amount of powder corresponding to prescription information is dispensed from the powder container . The powder dispensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the moving mechanism moves the holder to move the specific powder container to a dispensing position above the weighing unit. The powder dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2,
and a packaging device that packages the powder dispensed by the powder dispensing device.