Medication cassette

The invention addresses the problem of providing a medication cassette, which in addition to being capable of smooth automated dispensing despite being capable of storing large amounts of medication, allows accurate ascertainment of whether the medication has run out or is jammed. This medication cassette is provided with: a cylindrical body in which the medication is stored; a first rotating body capable of reciprocating movement inside the cylindrical body in the direction of the shaft center thereof; a second rotating body disposed on the outer circumference of the cylindrical body; a conveyed medication-detecting element for detecting medication that has been conveyed by the second rotating body; and a control element for moving the first rotating body upward when a medication detection signal is not output from the conveyed medication-detecting element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2013/052921, filed on Feb. 7, 2013, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. JP2012-027340, filed on Feb. 10, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a medication cassette.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Conventionally, for instance, an apparatus for aligning and feeding small articles has been well-known which has a first rotating body in a disk shape rotated by a first driving means and a second rotating body in an annular shape rotated by a second driving means (for instance, see JP-B 1-51403).

However, in the conventional apparatus, the position relation between the first rotating body and the second rotating body is fixed, so that the number of articles capable of being stored is limited. The number of medications to be stored is desirably maximum so as not to frequently perform a filling operation. However, this is limited to be coped with by the first rotating body and the second rotating body having the configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a medication cassette which is capable of smooth automated dispensing according to the remaining number of stored medications despite being capable of storing a large number of medications.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a medication cassette includes: a cylindrical body in which medications are stored; a first rotating body which can be reciprocated in the cylindrical body in the direction of the shaft center thereof; a second rotating body arranged on the outer circumference of the cylindrical body; conveyed medication detecting means detecting the medications conveyed by the second rotating body; and controlling means moving up the first rotating body when a medication detection signal is not outputted from the conveyed medication detecting means.

With this configuration, to fill the medications, the first rotating body is moved to one end side of the cylindrical body in the direction of the shaft center thereof so that a medication storing portion can be enlarged. To dispense the medications from the medication storing portion, the first rotating body is gradually moved to the other end side of the cylindrical body in the direction of the shaft center thereof so that the medications can be smoothly conveyed to the second rotating body.

The medication cassette includes discharged medication detecting means detecting the medications discharged to the outside of the second rotating body by the rotation thereof. When the time during which the medication detection signal is not outputted from the discharged medication detecting means exceeds a predetermined time, when the medications are not detected by the conveyed medication detecting means, the controlling means determines that medication running-out occurs.

When the time during which the medication detection signal is not outputted from the discharged medication detecting means exceeds the predetermined time, when the medications are detected by the conveyed medication detecting means, the controlling means may determine that an error occurs.

The cylindrical body can reciprocate the first rotating body in the direction of the shaft center thereof, and unrotatably guides the first rotating body in the circumferential direction. The cylindrical body further has a rotation driving mechanism which rotates the cylindrical body.

With this configuration, the first rotating body can be rotated via the cylindrical body by the rotation driving mechanism while being reciprocated in the direction of the shaft center thereof.

The medication cassette further includes: a raising/lowering mechanism reciprocating the first rotating body in the direction of the shaft center of the cylindrical body; and a clutch which can block power transmitted to the raising/lowering mechanism.

With this configuration, when the rotation of the first rotating body and the cylindrical body is inhibited due to medication clogging, the transmission of power is blocked by the clutch. Therefore, burnout in the rotation driving mechanism on which an excessive load acts can be prevented.

The medication cassette includes the raising/lowering mechanism reciprocating the first rotating body in the direction of the shaft center of the cylindrical body. The raising/lowering mechanism has a bearing member disposed between the first rotating body and a dimension variable member which can change the dimension in the shaft direction of the cylindrical body. The bearing member has a bearing rotatably supporting the first rotating body.

The medication cassette includes a regulation piece limiting the height of the medications conveyed in the circumferential direction by the second rotating body. The regulation piece has an auxiliary piece which can be raised and lowered and is projected into a space formed on the upper side at the time of lowering.

With this configuration, the height of the medications capable of being passed can be freely set. Even when the height is set to be low, a gap formed on the upper side can be covered by the auxiliary piece. Therefore, the passing of other medications through the gap and clogging occurrence can be reliably prevented from being caused.

The direction of the shaft center of the cylindrical body is tilted with respect to the vertical direction.

The direction of the shaft center of the cylindrical body coincides with the direction of the rotation shaft center of the first rotating body.

According to the present invention, the first rotating body can be reciprocated and rotated in the cylindrical body, so that by moving the first rotating body to one end side of the cylindrical body in the direction of the shaft center thereof, the medication storing portion can be increased in volume to be filled with a large number of medications. In addition, by gradually moving the first rotating body to the other end side of the cylindrical body, smooth automated dispensing can be made according to the remaining number of medications.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the terms representing particular directions and positions (e.g., the terms including “up”, “down”, “side”, and “end”) will be used, if necessary. However, those terms are used for facilitating the understanding of the invention with reference to the drawings, and do not limit the technical range of the present invention by the meanings thereof. In addition, the following description is essentially illustrative only, and is not intended to limit the present invention, the applied objects thereof, or the application thereof.

FIGS. 1 to 4show a medication filling apparatus1employing a medication cassette of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 4, the medication filling apparatus1has a vial bottle feeding unit2, a labeling unit3, a vial bottle lifter4, a medication feeding unit5, a conveying unit6, discharging units7, and a controlling unit80(seeFIG. 27). The surface of an apparatus main body8of the medication filling apparatus1on which discharge windows10A,10B, and10C for vial bottles9are provided is a front surface.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 3, a front door11is openably and closably provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body8. In addition to the discharge windows10A,10B, and10C opened in three locations in the vertical direction, an operation panel12is provided between the upper discharge window10A and the middle discharge window10B on the front door11. A barcode reader13is provided on the right side of the operation panel12. An auxiliary mounting base14for a medication filling or returning operation is provided below the barcode reader13. A drawing-out door15for drawing out the labeling unit3is provided below the lower discharge window10C.

(1-1. The Vial Bottle Feeding Unit2)

As shown inFIG. 5, the vial bottle feeding unit2has stockers21in a rectangular box shape on both sides of the lower portion on the rear side thereof seen from the front surface of the apparatus main body8. Each of the stockers21randomly accommodates the vial bottles9of different sizes. The vial bottles9can be fed by opening doors22(seeFIG. 1) provided on the left and right side surfaces of the apparatus main body8. A conveyor23having an endless belt23acapable of being travelably driven and tilted upward to the front surface of the apparatus main body8is provided at the inner bottom of the stocker21. The conveyor23conveys each of the vial bottles9accommodated in the stocker21to the front surface side. A taking-out device24is vertically provided along the inner wall of the stocker21on the front surface side. The taking-out device24has paddles25mounted at fixed intervals on an endless belt24acapable of being travelably driven, and can horizontally support the vial bottle9on each of the paddles25to take out the vial bottle9with the raising of the endless belt24a. A guide plate26is provided between the front end of the conveyor and the lower end of the taking-out device24, and guides the vial bottle9conveyed by the conveyor23to the paddle25of the taking-out device24.

On the outer wall of the stocker21on the front surface side, provided are a shoot27which slides down the vial bottle9taken out from the stocker21by the taking-out device24and a fork28which receives and supports the vial bottle9slid down from the shoot27. The width of the fork28can be changed in the horizontal direction so that any vial bottle9differing in size can be supported by a well-known mechanism, such as a rack & pinion mechanism. As shown inFIG. 6, the vial bottle9has a flange9aon the outer periphery of the mouth thereof, and a projection piece9bhaving a mechanism of locking a cap, not shown.

As shown inFIG. 4, the vial bottle feeding unit2is provided with a running-out sensor29aon the lower side of the inside of the stocker21, an overfill sensor29bon the upper side thereof, a prepared state detection sensor29cwhich detects the vial bottle9supported by the paddle25in the uppermost position, and a vial bottle standby sensor29dwhich detects the vial bottle stopped by a stopper, not shown, on the shoot27.

As shown inFIG. 5, the labeling unit3has a label printer31, and a pusher32. As shown inFIG. 6, the label printer31uses a label tape34onto which labels33stuck onto the outer peripheral surface of the vial bottle9are stuck at fixed intervals. The label printer31which has been well-known has a tape reel35winding the label tape34, a print head36which prints information, such as a prescription number, a patient's name, and a medication name, on each of the labels33on the label tape34fed from the tape reel35, a winding reel37which winds the label tape34from which the label33is separated, and a driving roller38which rotates the vial bottle9. As shown inFIG. 6, the pusher32can be moved along guide rods41in parallel with the fork28by a ball screw40driven by a motor39. The pusher32has three rollers42a,42b, and42cwhich push the vial bottle9supported by the fork28of the vial bottle feeding unit2onto the driving roller38of the label printer31. As shown inFIG. 7, the apparatus main body8is provided with a sensor43which detects the position of the projection piece9bof the small or large vial bottle9.

(1-3. The Vial Bottle Lifter4)

As shown inFIGS. 7 to 9B, the vial bottle lifter4has a lift51on which the vial bottle9is placed, a support plate52placed on the lift51, a lift mechanism53which lifts and lowers the lift51and the support plate52, and a pin opening/closing rod54.

Four pins55are projected from the upper surface of the lift51, and support the outer periphery of the vial bottle9. The bases of the two opposite pins55are fixed to movable blocks56. The two movable blocks56can be moved along a guide rod57in the contacting and separating directions, and are biased by a spring58in the contacting direction. Long cutaways59into which the four pins55enter are formed in the support plate52. The support plate52has plural ears60on the outer periphery thereof, and is placed on a bracket61fixed to the apparatus main body8by the ears60. The lift mechanism53has a lift block63which is lifted and lowered along guide rods62by a belt driving device, not shown. The lift51is fixed to the distal end of an arm64provided on the lift block63. The pin opening/closing rod54is located below the lift51, and is fixed to the apparatus main body8. The pin opening/closing rod54is engaged and disengaged between the two movable blocks56in the lift51with the lifting/lowering operation of the lift51, and moves the movable blocks56to open and close the four pins55.

When the lift51is lowered by the driving of the lift mechanism53of the vial bottle lifter4, as shown inFIG. 9A, the four pins55are pushably widened by the pin opening/closing rod54provided below the lift51and are then moved in the direction separated from the vial bottle9against the biasing force of the spring58. The support plate52is supported and stopped by the bracket61during the lowering of the lift51, but the lift51continues to be lowered and is then stopped in the lowermost position. When the lift51is lifted from the lowermost position, as shown inFIG. 9B, while the support plate52supported by the bracket61is placed, the four pins55are released from the pin opening/closing rod54and then pressingly hold the vial bottle9on the support plate52by the biasing force of the spring58. The lift mechanism53conveys the vial bottle9placed on the lift51from the labeled position to the transferred position in the conveying unit6described later.

(1-4. The Medication Feeding Unit5)

As shown inFIG. 10, in the medication feeding unit5, plural cassette mounting portions102(inFIG. 10, only one is shown) are formed on a support panel101on either side of the apparatus main body8, and a medication cassette103can be removably mounted on each of the cassette mounting portions102.

(1-4-1. The Cassette Mounting Portions102)

The cassette mounting portions102are arranged on the support panel101in a matrix in the vertical and horizontal directions, where medication outlets104are formed. In addition, each of the cassette mounting portions102has a first guide rail105and a second guide rail106located on the outer surface of the support panel101and extended in the direction of the normal to the support panel101.

As shown inFIG. 11A, the first guide rail105has, on the upper surface thereof, a groove105awhich guides the lower end of a side wall120aformed on a main body114configuring part of a cassette main body109of the medication cassette103. One side surface of the groove105ais flat. An engagement receiving portion105bis formed on the other side surface of the groove105afrom the front end thereof to the rear side thereof by a predetermined dimension. The upper edge portion of the groove105afrom the front end thereof to the engagement receiving portion105bis a guide edge105cprojected to the opposite surface side.

The second guide rail106has a rail107, and an accommodating portion108joined thereto.

Like the first guide rail105, the rail107has a groove107ahaving a guide edge107bon the upper surface thereof, where an engagement receiving portion (not shown) is formed.

As shown inFIG. 11B, a driving gear108bintegrated with one end of a shaft108ais projected from the accommodating portion108. The driving gear108bcan be pushed into the accommodating portion108by being biased by a spring108c, and is engaged with a driven gear159aprovided in a raising/lowering mechanism153of the medication cassette103described later.

The accommodating portion108accommodates a bevel gear108fof an intermediate gear member108eengaged with a bevel gear108dprovided midway the shaft108a, and a worm gear108hengaged with a pinion gear108gof the intermediate gear member108e. A driven gear108ihaving the same configuration as the driving gear108bis integrated with the end of the rotational shaft of the worm gear108h, where a driving gear174aprovided at the end of the rotational shaft of a first driving motor174described later can be engaged therewith. With this, when the first driving motor174is driven, power is transmitted to the driving gear108bvia the worm gear108hand the intermediate gear member108e, so that the raising/lowering mechanism153of the medication cassette103is driven. With the worm gear108hbeing interposed, the driving gear108bis not rotated freely even when the power from the first driving motor174is blocked.

Further, a driving gear108jis accommodated in the accommodating portion108in a state where part of it is exposed, and is engaged with a driven gear112bof a second rotating body112. A bevel gear108kis fixed to the rotational shaft of the driving gear108j, where a bevel gear108mprovided on a driven gear member108lis engaged therewith. In the same manner as above, a driven gear108nis integrated with the end of the driven gear member108l, so that a second driving gear175aprovided at the end of the rotational shaft of a second driving motor175described later can be engaged therewith. With this, when the second driving motor175is driven, power is transmitted via the driven gear108nand the driving gear108jto rotate the second rotating body112.

(1-4-2. The Medication Cassette103)

As shown inFIG. 12, the medication cassette103accommodates a cylindrical body110in the cassette main body109, accommodates a first rotating body111in the cylindrical body110, and arranges the second rotating body112on the outer circumference of the upper end opening of the cylindrical body110, so that the upper opening of the cassette main body109is closed by a lid body113. The direction of the rotation shaft center of the first rotating body111coincides with the direction of the shaft center of the cylindrical body110.

As shown inFIG. 13, in the cassette main body109, a cover115is fixed to the upper side of the main body114, and a base116is fixed to the lower side of the main body114.

The main body114is substantially cylindrical, so that a knob117(except for the lower end portion thereof) is formed at the center of the front surface thereof.

As shown inFIG. 14, a bearing118is provided on the rear surface of the main body114, where a gear member119is rotatably held. In addition, a through-hole is formed on the lower side of the bearing118, where the driven gear159aprovided at one end of a screw shaft159described later is exposed.

As shown inFIG. 15, the gear member119has a first gear119ahaving a gear formed on the outer circumferential surface thereof, and a second gear119bhaving a gear formed at the end of the shaft extended from the center of the first gear119a. The first gear119ais engaged with a driven gear146aof a first cylindrical portion144, and the second gear119bis engaged with the driving gear108bof the cassette mounting portion102.

As shown inFIG. 14, the side wall120aand a side wall120bseparated from the cylindrical portion are formed on both sides of the main body114. Two engagement pieces121are mounted on each of the side walls120aand120b. Each of the engagement pieces121has substantially C-shaped cross section, so that part of it is exposed from the inner side surface of each of the side walls120aand120b. The exposed portion of the engagement piece121is projected inward, and is pushed outward to be resiliently deformed. With this, when the side walls120aand120bare slid in the grooves105aand107aof the first guide rail105and the second guide rail106of the cassette mounting portion102, respectively, they are guided by the guide edges105cand107b, so that one side of the engagement piece121is passed over the engagement receiving portion105b(the second guide rail106side is not shown) to recover the shape, whereby the medication cassette103is mounted on the cassette mounting portion102.

As shown inFIG. 17A, female screws122for screwing the cover115are formed at four corners on the upper surface of the main body114. In addition, a holding shaft123for holding a cylindrical portion127of a height regulation member124is projected from one of the four corners. Plural (here, four) grooves123aextended in the upward and downward direction are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the holding shaft123to be located in positions equally divided in the circumferential direction thereof.

The height regulation member124has a guide piece125and a dial126. The guide piece125has the cylindrical portion127fitted onto the holding shaft123, and a regulation piece128which is extended from the cylindrical portion127and regulates the height of medications conveyed on the second rotating body112. Plural ridges127acoinciding with the grooves of the holding shaft123are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion127, so that the cylindrical portion127can be raised and lowered, but is unrotatably supported by the holding shaft123. Plural projections127bare formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion127at predetermined intervals in the upward and downward direction (inFIG. 17A, only four projections127bare shown, and other four projections127bare formed on the rear surface side). The regulation piece128is extended inward from the cylindrical portion127along the outer circumferential edge of the second rotating body112. The inward-extended portion has a lower surface formed in parallel with the upper surface of the second rotating body112, and an upper surface on which an auxiliary piece129is mounted to be rotatable about a support shaft129a. As shown inFIG. 17B, a guide shaft129bprojected sidewise is formed on one end side of the auxiliary piece129. The guide shaft129bis moved along a guide wall114aof the cover115. With this, when the guide piece125is moved upward, the auxiliary piece129is rotated about the support shaft129aso that the erection angle thereof is small. The dial126is prevented from being slipped when rotationally operated with fingers in plural vertical grooves126aformed on the outer circumferential surface thereof. In addition, the dial126has a helical groove126bformed on the inner circumferential surface thereof, so that the dial126is rotated to change the position engaged with each of the projections127bin the upward and downward direction of the cylindrical portion127, thereby raising and lowering the guide piece125. In this way, the guide piece125has the rotatable auxiliary piece129in the upper portion thereof. For this, in a state where the guide piece125is lowered according to medication size, the auxiliary piece129is erected to prevent a gap from being caused between it and the lid body113, while in a state where the guide piece125is raised, the auxiliary piece129is abutted onto the lid body113to be folded to the regulation piece128side. Therefore, a gap according to medication size can be formed between the guide piece125and the second rotating body112without increasing the size of the medication cassette103in the up direction.

The upper surface of the main body114is surrounded by a peripheral wall130, and as shown inFIG. 16, first guide rollers131(one of them is not shown) are rotatably arranged in three positions substantially equally divided on the inside thereof. The first guide rollers131are abutted onto the outer circumferential surface of the second rotating body112described later, and rotatably support the second rotating body112. As shown inFIG. 15, a ring member132is located on the upper surface of the first cylindrical portion144. Second tongue pieces133are located in three positions substantially equally divided in the circumferential direction of the ring member132, and are extended in the outside diameter direction. Each of the second tongue pieces133is screwed to the main body114, so that each of second guide rollers134is mounted thereon. The second guide roller134has a groove-shaped portion which is formed of two ridges formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof and projected from the lower side of the second tongue piece133. The groove-shaped portion of the second guide roller134guides the outer circumferential surface of an annular collar146of the first cylindrical portion144. That is, the ring member132rotatably holds the first cylindrical portion144.

As shown inFIG. 18, the cover115has a guide member135, and a cover body136covering the upper side thereof. The cover115has a portion having a first guide surface137exceeding half of the circular cylindrical surface thereof. The outer circumferential edge of the second rotating body112described later is located along the first guide surface137. The guide member135has a portion having a second guide surface138configuring the circular cylindrical surface by it and the first guide surface137. Two long grooves135aare formed in the guide member135, whereby the guide member135is mounted so that the position thereof can be adjusted with respect to the main body114by using the long grooves135a. The guide member135is mounted so that the inner surface thereof is gradually projected to the center side from the same circumferential surface where the first guide surface137is located. With this, the medication size (width dimension) which can be conveyed by the second rotating body112is limited by the guide member135, so that only one medication can be passed.

A discharging portion139is provided on the other end side (the downstream side in the medication conveying direction) of the guide member135. The discharging portion139is formed to be of substantially rectangular cylindrical cross section. A cutaway portion140which can receive the medications conveyed by the second rotating body112is formed in the upper portion of the discharging portion139. A discharge guide piece142is mounted on the end portion of one side wall (a first side wall141a). The end of the other side wall (a second side wall141b) is abutted onto the end surface of the guide member135. The discharge guide piece142has a mounting portion fitted to the first side wall141aformed to be of rectangular cylindrical cross section, and a guide projected along the first side wall141a. An inclined surface is formed at the end of the guide so as to increase the distance between it and the inner surface of the guide member135toward the end thereof and to be decreased in height. The discharge guide piece142which has the guide having such an inclined surface can smoothly guide the medications conveyed by the second rotating body112to the discharging portion139.

Further, a through-hole115a(seeFIG. 12) is formed in the side surface of the cover115, so that through the through-hole115a, the medications conveyed on the second rotating body112can be detected by a second medication detection sensor179described later.

A front cover143(seeFIG. 13) integrated with the lower end of the knob117is mounted on the front surface side of the base116.

As shown inFIG. 15, the cylindrical body110has the first cylindrical portion144which can be rotated about the shaft center thereof, and a second cylindrical portion145which is arranged thereabove and cannot be rotated about the shaft center thereof.

The annular collar146is formed on the outer circumferential surface on the upper side of the first cylindrical portion144. The driven gear146ais formed on the lower surface of the annular collar146. The first gear119aof the gear member119held by the bearing118of the main body114is engaged with the driven gear146a. As shown inFIG. 16, first ridges147are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion144, are located in four positions equally divided in the circumferential direction, and are extended in the direction of the shaft center thereof. Each of guide rollers151of the first rotating body111described later is guided and rolled along each of the ridges147, so that the first rotating body111can be reciprocated in the first cylindrical portion144in the direction of the shaft center thereof. The first cylindrical portion144is tilted in the direction of the shaft center thereof at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction in a state where the medication cassette103is mounted on the cassette mounting portion102.

As shown inFIG. 15, the second cylindrical portion145is arranged above the first cylindrical portion144, has an upper end opening formed to be tilted with respect to the plane orthogonal to the shaft center thereof, and is located in the horizontal plane. The inner circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion145is formed to be gradually bulged to the inside diameter side from the position where the dimension in the direction of the shaft center thereof is the shortest (the shortest position) toward the vicinity portion of the position where the discharging portion139is arranged (the dimension in the direction of the shaft center thereof is the longest: the longest position). As shown inFIG. 18, more specifically, the inner circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion145is gradually bulged inward from the shortest position to the longest position clockwise in plan view (that is, the inner circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion145is gradually close to the rotation center clockwise in plan view), so that the bulged dimension is the largest in the longest position (hereinafter, this region is a first bulged region148). The inner surface of the upper opening of the first bulged region148has a curved surface148a. A second bulged region149beyond the longest position is curved to the outside diameter side, so that a curved surface149aand a flat portion150on which the discharge guide piece142is located are formed on the upper side thereof.

As shown inFIGS. 19 and 20, four guide rollers151are rotatably mounted in positions equally divided on the outer circumference of the bottom surface of the first rotating body111. Groove-shaped portions are formed on the outer periphery of the guide rollers151. The first ridges147(seeFIG. 18) formed on the inner circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion144are located in the groove-shaped portions, so that the guide rollers151are rolled along the first ridges147.

With this, the first rotating body111can be reciprocated in the direction of the shaft center of the first cylindrical portion144. In addition, when the first cylindrical portion144is rotated about the shaft center thereof, since the first ridges147are located in the groove-shaped portions of the guide rollers151, the first rotating body111can be rotated about the shaft center thereof (a first rotational shaft) together with the first cylindrical portion144.

The center portion of the first rotating body111is conically bulged, so that an engaging member152is mounted at the center thereof. Plural ridges111aare formed on the upper surface of the first rotating body111, and are helically extended from the rotation center to the opposite side of the rotating direction. With this, the medications receive the rotational force of the first rotating body111, are influenced by the helical shape of the ridges111a, and are conveyed in the rotating direction and the outside diameter direction.

As shown inFIGS. 19 and 20, the engaging member152has a projected portion152aprojected toward the upper side of the first rotating body111, a gear152bwhich is projected toward the lower side thereof and has plural projections arranged at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction, and a pair of legs152cprojected from the inside of the gear152b. The gear152bis engaged with a gear163aof a bearing member157described later. Each of the legs152chas an engaging pawl152dwhich is inserted through the center hole of a shaft member163of the bearing member157described later and is engaged with the opening edge of the lower end thereof.

As shown inFIGS. 19 and 21, the raising/lowering mechanism153is arranged on the lower side at the center of the first rotating body111. In the raising/lowering mechanism153, a pair of slide blocks155which are slid to be contacted and separated are provided in a rectangular frame154, and can rotate link members156(dimension variable members), so that the first rotating body111can be raised and lowered via the bearing member157.

Engagement pieces158are mounted at the centers on both ends of the lower surface of the rectangular frame154, and are biased by springs158ato be projected toward the both end sides thereof.

The slide blocks155are arranged in the rectangular frame154, and can be contacted and separated along the center line thereof. That is, the screw shaft159is screwed into the centers of the slide blocks155. The screw shaft159is rotatably supported by both end walls of the rectangular frame154, and has a helical groove formed on the outer circumferential surface thereof. The male screw (helical groove) formed on the outer circumferential surface of the screw shaft159is different in the helical direction of the helical groove formed of one slide block155and the other slide block155(when the direction of the helical groove formed on one end side of the screw shaft159is the clockwise direction seeing the other end side from one end side, the direction of the helical groove formed on the other end side is the counterclockwise direction seeing one end side from the other end side). With this, when the screw shaft159is rotated forward and rearward, the slide blocks155are contacted and separated. In addition, the driven gear159ais provided at one end of the screw shaft159, so that power from the first driving motor174is transmitted via the driven gear159a. Further, a spring159bis fitted onto the screw shaft159, and biases the slide blocks155to both ends.

The link members156are rotatably connected at the centers thereof to be arranged inside both sides of the rectangular frame154. One end of each of the link members156is rotatably connected to both side surfaces of each of the slide blocks155. In addition, a shaft156aprojected inward is provided at the other end of each of the link members156.

The bearing member157has a circular cylindrical portion160, and a pair of arms161extended from the circular cylindrical portion160in the directions opposite to each other. The circular cylindrical shaft member163is provided in the circular cylindrical portion160via a bearing162, and is rotatably supported. The mountain-shaped gear163ais formed at the upper opening end of the shaft member163in the circumferential direction thereof. A long hole161ais formed in each of the arms161, where the shaft156aprovided at the other end of the link member156is slidably arranged.

When the first driving motor174is driven to rotate the screw shaft159, the slide blocks155are contacted and separated, so that the link members156are rotated. Consequently the first rotating body111having the above mentioned configuration is reciprocated in the direction of the shaft center thereof. The upward moved position of the first rotating body111is regulated so that part of the first rotating body111is abutted onto an abutment piece, not shown, whereby part of the first rotating body111has substantially the same height as the second rotating body112. In addition, the first rotating body111is moved to the lowermost side in the position where the slide blocks155are extremely separated from each other, so that the medication storing volume of a medication storing portion164(seeFIG. 12) is maximum.

In a state where the medication cassette103is removed from the cassette mounting portion102, the first rotating body111rotates the link members156mainly by its own weight, and is then moved to the lower side of the first cylindrical portion144. With this, a sufficient space which can store the medications can be automatically obtained in the medication cassette103without requiring additional power.

The second rotating body112is annularly formed at a predetermined width, and is arranged substantially around the upper end opening of the second cylindrical portion145. As shown inFIG. 15, an annular groove112aand the driven gear112blocated therebelow are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second rotating body112. The first guide rollers131mounted on the main body114of the cassette main body109are rollably located in the annular groove112a, so that the second rotating body112is rotatably supported. The driving gear108jprovided in the cassette mounting portion102described later is engaged with the driven gear112b, so that the second rotating body112can be rotationally driven about the shaft center extended in the vertical direction (a second rotational shaft). The second rotating body112may be set to be rotated faster than the first rotating body111. With this, the interval during which the medications are conveyed from the first rotating body111to the second rotating body112can be increased, so that the number of dispensed medications can be prevented from being error-detected.

As shown inFIG. 4, the conveying unit6has first horizontal rails91which are provided between the medication feeding units5provided at the both side of the apparatus main body8and are fixed to the upper and lower sides of the apparatus main body8, a vertical rail92which are mounted on the first horizontal rails91to be movable in the front-rear direction, a second horizontal rail93which is mounted on the vertical rail92to be movable in the upward and downward direction, and an arm unit165which is mounted on the second horizontal rail93to be movable in the horizontal direction.

As shown inFIGS. 22 and 23, in the arm unit165, a slider167is reciprocatably arranged in a unit main body166, and a chuck member168is mounted on the slider167.

The unit main body166is formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape in such a manner that a top plate169and a base plate170are opposite in the upward and downward direction and both sides thereof are connected by guide blocks171(inFIG. 23, one of them is not shown). A first control substrate172is arranged on the upper surface of the top plate169, so that the upper side thereof is covered by a cover plate173.

As shown inFIG. 25, the first driving motor174, the second driving motor175, and a third driving motor176are arranged sideward of the unit main body166.

The first driving motor174is integrated with the driving gear174aat the end of the rotational shaft thereof. The driving gear174ais engaged with the driven gear108iof the cassette mounting portion102provided on the support panel101. For this, when the first driving motor174is driven, the screw shaft159is rotated via the driving gear174aand the driven gear159a, so that the slide blocks155are reciprocated. As a result, the link members156are rotated to raise and lower the first rotating body111via the bearing member157. A magnet type clutch177is provided midway the rotational shaft of the first driving motor174, and blocks an excessive load which acts on the first rotating body111side.

The second driving gear175aintegrated with the end of the rotational shaft of the second driving motor175is engaged with the driven gear108nprovided on the driven gear member108lof the cassette mounting portion102. The driven gear member108lhas the bevel gear108m, which is engaged with the bevel gear108kto rotate the driving gear108j. The driving gear108jis engaged with the driven gear112bof the medication cassette103. For this, when the second driving motor175is driven, the second rotating body112is rotated via the driven gear112b.

A driving gear176aintegrated with the end of the rotational shaft of the third driving motor176is engaged with the second gear119bof the gear member119, and the first gear119ais engaged with the driven gear146aof the first cylindrical portion144. When the third driving motor176is driven, the first cylindrical portion144is rotated.

As shown inFIG. 22, on the front end side of the top plate169, provided are a first medication detection sensor178for detecting the medications dispensed from the medication cassette103and the second medication detection sensor179for detecting the medications conveyed on the upper surface of the second rotating body112. The first medication detection sensor178has plural sensors arranged in a rectangular frame178a, and detects the number of medications passed through the center hole. The second medication detection sensor179detects the medications conveyed by the second rotating body112through the through-hole115a(seeFIG. 12) formed in the cover115of the medication cassette103. This assumes that medication running-out does not occur, for instance, that jamming (medication clogging) occurs, regardless of not detecting the medications by the first medication detection sensor178.

A mounting plate180is provided on the rear end side of the top plate169and is extended to the rear end opening of the unit main body166, and a second control substrate181is mounted on the outer surface thereof. As shown inFIG. 23, guide grooves182are formed in the opposite surfaces of the guide blocks171. Each of the guide grooves182has a first horizontal portion182afrom the front end side to the rear end side of the unit main body166, an inclined portion182bextended diagonally upward therefrom, and a second horizontal portion182cfurther extended horizontally. Slider guides183are arranged in the inside portions of the guide blocks171on both sides of the base plate170.

In the slider167, slide rails185are fixed to both sides of a mounting plate184having a bottom surface and both side surfaces, and are slidably guided by the slider guides183. The driving force of the motor is transmitted to the slider167via link mechanisms. Each of the link mechanisms has a first link member186, and a second link member187rotatably connected to the first link member186.

One end of the first link member186is rotatably mounted on a first support shaft188arotatably supported between the guide blocks171on both sides. A driven gear186ais provided on the first support shaft188aon the side of one of the first link members186, and is used by a driving gear189aprovided on the rotational shaft of a driving motor189. The other end of the first link member186is rotatably connected to one end of the second link member187via a second support shaft188b. The other end of the second link member187is rotatably connected to each of the side surfaces of the mounting plate184about a third support shaft188c. Therefore, when the driving motor189is rotationally driven forward and rearward, the first link members186and the second link members187are rotated via the gears189aand186a, so that the mounting plate184is reciprocated on the slide rails185while being guided by the slider guides183.

The chuck member168has a chuck main body190having a planar body assembled in a rectangular shape, a pair of sandwiching pieces191mounted on the chuck main body190to be rotatable about a pair of rotational shafts, and a driving motor192for opening and closing the sandwiching pieces191.

The chuck main body190is supported on each of the side surfaces of the mounting plate184to be rotatable about the rotational shaft190a. An arm193is integrated with both ends of each of the rotational shafts190a, and a guide roller194is rotatably mounted on the end portion thereof. The guide roller194is rolled in the guide groove182formed in the guide block171. Each of the sandwiching pieces191is fixed to each of rotating bodies195provided in parallel. The rotating bodies are synchronously rotated so that the upper ends thereof (which may be gears) are engaged. A spring196is engaged with the extended portion from each of the rotating bodies195, and biases the sandwiching pieces in the direction in which the end portions thereof are close to each other. A bottle detection sensor197for detecting the vial bottle9is mounted on one of the extended portions. A pressing receiving portion198is formed in the portion extended from one of the rotating bodies195and projected from the upper surface of the chuck main body190. An eccentric cam199is integrated with the rotational shaft of the driving motor192. The eccentric cam199is pressed onto the pressing receiving portion198to rotate one of the rotating bodies195, and rotates the other rotating body195in synchronization with this to open and close the sandwiching pieces191.

When the chuck member168is reciprocated together with the slider167to be moved to the rear side, the guide rollers194are moved in the guide grooves182of the guide blocks171from the first horizontal portions182ato the inclined portions182b. As a result, the chuck member168is gradually tilted to be capable of tilting the sandwiched vial bottle. The guide rollers194reach the second horizontal portions182cso that the tilted state of the chuck member168is stable. In this position, the medications which are dispensed from the medication cassette103and are then passed through the first medication detection sensor178can be collected into the vial bottle sandwiched by the chuck member168.

A projection piece200is engaged with the engagement receiving portion (not shown) of the medication cassette103to position the arm unit165into the correct position, and a detection rod201detects whether or not the arm unit165is in the correct position. The unit main body166can be rotated about a rotational shaft202.

As shown inFIG. 26, each of the discharging units7is provided with a total of nine holding members71so that three pairs of left and right holding members71are provided to each of the three discharge windows10A,10B, and10C. Two upper and lower slopes72aand72bare provided in the pair of holding members71, the upper ends thereof are located in the apparatus main body8, and the lower ends thereof are located in the discharge windows10A,10B, and10C, thereby forming a discharge port73. Guide members74are mounted at the upper ends of the slopes72aand72b, and are extended diagonally upward. The upper surfaces of the guide members74form slopes continued to the slopes of the holding members71. Stoppers75are mounted at the lower ends of the slopes72aand72b. The stoppers75are typically projected by the biasing force of a spring, not shown, in the directions opposite to each other to receive the vial bottle9slid down on the slopes72aand72b, and are retracted against the biasing force of the spring when the operator takes out the vial bottle9, so that the vial bottle9is passed. The vial bottle9held by the holding members71is detected by a bottle detection sensor76.

As shown inFIG. 27, the controlling unit80has the first control substrate172, and the second control substrate181, and receives prescription data from a server, not shown. The medication feeding unit5designates the medication cassette103, and drivably controls each of the motors174,175, and176based on a detection signal from each of the sensors178and179, thereby reliably dispensing the medications one by one for counting.

The operation of the medication filling apparatus having the configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart ofFIG. 28.

That is, the controlling unit80receives prescription data from the server, not shown, (step S1), and then designates the medication cassette103in which the medications included in the prescription data are stored (step S2). The second driving motor175is driven based on the designated medication cassette103to start the rotation of the second rotating body112(step S3). Then, the third driving motor176is driven to start the rotation of the first rotating body111(step S4). With this, the medications stored in the medication cassette103are moved to the outer circumference side while being rotated by the rotation of the first rotating body111. The first cylindrical portion144and the second cylindrical portion145are arranged diagonally to the vertical direction, so that the medications stored in the medication storing portion164are closest to the second rotating body112in the shortest position of the second cylindrical portion145. For this, the medications moved to the outer circumference side are sequentially moved onto the second rotating body112mainly near the shortest position of the second cylindrical portion145.

At this time, the size of the vial bottle is designated based on the prescription data, so that the conveyor23and the taking-out device24of the stocker21accommodating the vial bottle9are driven. With this, the vial bottle9is taken out by the paddle25of the taking-out device24, and is then slid down the shoot27to be placed on the fork28. The label printer31is driven to stick the label33with a predetermined matter printed thereon, onto the vial bottle9.

The conveying unit6is driven, so that the vial bottle9with the label33stuck thereonto is sandwiched between the sandwiching pieces191of the chuck member168, and is then moved to the medication cassette103in which the corresponding medications included in the prescription data are stored. The vial bottle9is positioned in the dispensed position as follows. That is, the driving motor189is driven, and as shown inFIG. 24, the first link members186are rotated via the gears189aand186acounterclockwise about the first support shaft188a. With this, the first link members186and the second link members187are erected, so that the slider167is drawn into the unit main body166. The guide rollers194of the chuck member168mounted on the slider167are moved in the guide grooves182of the guide blocks171from the first horizontal portions182ato the inclined portions182b. With this, the chuck member168is gradually tilted, the guide rollers194reach the second horizontal portions182c, and the sandwiched vial bottle9is positioned in the tilted position.

The medications moved onto the second rotating body112are detected by the second medication detection sensor179through the through-hole115awhile being conveyed by the rotation of the second rotating body112. The stacked medications are returned into the medication storing portion164by the height regulation member124. The medications remaining on the second rotating body112can be passed one by one since the exposed portion of the second rotating body112is gradually narrowed by the guide member135. Other medications are smoothly returned into the medication storing portion164along the curved surface formed in the second cylindrical portion145. The passed medications are guided by the guide member135and the discharge guide piece142to be discharged from the discharging portion139. At this time, the medications are detected by the first medication detection sensor178, so that the number of dispensed medications is counted (step S5).

The dispensed medications are collected into the vial bottle9. The vial bottle9which is tilted as described above has a tilting angle substantially coinciding with the dispensing direction of the medications dispensed from the medication cassette103. Therefore, the medications dispensed from the medication cassette103are smoothly stored into the vial bottle9. When the filling of the medications into the vial bottle9is completed, the conveying unit6is driven to convey the medication cassette103held by the chuck member168to any one of the discharge ports73formed on the front surface of the apparatus main body8. At this time, the driving motor189is driven, and as shown inFIG. 22, the first link members186are rotated via the gears189aand186aclockwise about the first support shaft188a. With this, the first link members186and the second link members187are extended, so that the slider167is projected from the unit main body166. The guide rollers194of the chuck member168mounted on the slider167are moved in the guide grooves182of the guide blocks171from the second horizontal portions182cto the inclined portions182band the first horizontal portions182a. With this, the chuck member168is gradually erected, and when the guide rollers194reach the first horizontal portions182a, the sandwiched vial bottle9is positioned in the extreme projected position, that is, in the discharge port73.

Although the medications in the medication storing portion164are sequentially dispensed in this way, but the position of the first rotating body111is moved upward according to the medication dispensed state. That is, whether or not there are the medications on the second rotating body112is detected by the second medication detection sensor179, and then, when the medications cannot be detected or when the interval during which the medications discharged from the discharging portion139is detected by the first medication detection sensor178exceeds a predetermined time, whether or not the medication dispensed state is deteriorated is determined (step S6). When the medication dispensed state is deteriorated, the first driving motor174is driven (step S7), so that the first rotating body111is moved upward in the first cylindrical portion144via the gears174aand159a, the link members156, and the bearing member157. As a result, the medications in the medication storing portion164can be smoothly moved onto the second rotating body112according to the dispensed state. As shown inFIG. 10, even when the first rotating body111is moved to the uppermost position or is moved to the predetermined position before the uppermost position, when the medications are not detected by the second medication detection sensor179(which may be the first medication detection sensor178) (step S8: NO), the need for medication filling is notified (running-out is notified) (step S9). Even when the medications are not detected by the second medication detection sensor179, only when the time during which a medication detection signal is not outputted from the first medication detection sensor178exceeds the predetermined time, it may be determined that medication running-out occurs.

When the medications cannot be detected by the second medication detection sensor179, the first driving motor174should be driven so that the first rotating body111is moved upward. Even when the first driving motor174is rotated over a predetermined time, when the medications cannot be detected by the second medication detection sensor179, the need for medication filling is preferably notified. In addition, even when during the driving of the first driving motor179, the first rotating body111reaches the upper limit position and cannot be further moved upward, the driving force of the first driving motor179is blocked by the clutch177and is not transmitted to the first rotating body111side. For this, an excessive load is not applied to the first driving motor174, which cannot result in burnout. In step S8, even when the first driving motor174is rotated over the predetermined time, when the medications cannot be detected by the first medication detection sensor178, medication running-out may be determined and notified.

When the need for medication filling into the medication storing portion164is notified, the medications should be filled by removing the medication cassette103from the cassette mounting portion102. In this case, the screw shaft159is disengaged from the driving gear108bon the cassette mounting portion side so as to be rotatable. As a result, as shown inFIG. 12, the first rotating body111is moved to the lowermost position by its own weight without requiring an additional power source, so that the medications can be filled with the volume of the medication storing portion164being maximum.

In the medication dispensing process, when the time during which the medications are not detected by the first medication detection sensor178exceeds the predetermined time, when the medications are detected by the second medication detection sensor179, it may be determined that an error occurs. As the error, it is considered that, for instance, the medications remaining in the medication cassette103cannot be dispensed into the vial bottle due to jamming (medication clogging). When the raising/lowering operation of the first rotating body111is controlled only by the detection signal from the first medication detection sensor178, in the above case, the raising operation of the first rotating body111is continued so that the medications can be overflown. However, by providing the second medication detection sensor179, such a disadvantage can be prevented from occurring. When it is determined that an error occurs, as described above, occurrence of an error may be notified. Examples of the notification include sound notification and visible notification using a lamp and monitor provided in the medication filling apparatus. In this embodiment, the direction of the shaft center of the cylindrical body110is tilted with respect to the vertical direction, but may coincide with the vertical direction.