DRUG SUPPLY APPARATUS

A drug supply apparatus of the present disclosure includes a drug supply unit configured to supply a drug to a drug delivery position; a downstream conveying unit configured to convey a strip-shaped first drug packaging paper, folded in half in advance along its longitudinal direction, in such a way that the first drug packaging paper receives the drug at the drug delivery position; an upstream conveying unit configured to convey a strip-shaped second drug packaging paper folded in half in advance along its longitudinal direction toward the first drug packaging paper; and a connecting part configured to connect a downstream end part of the second drug packaging paper to the first drug packaging paper.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a drug supply apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent Literature (hereinafter, referred to as PTL)1discloses a packaging paper connecting apparatus used for replacing old packaging paper with new packaging paper—the packaging paper has been folded in half in advance along the longitudinal direction thereof and is used to package a drug. The packaging paper connecting apparatus connects the terminal end of the old wrapping paper to the starting end of the new packaging paper. An operator manually overlaps the terminal end of the old packaging paper and the starting end of the new packaging paper, and places the overlapped portions at a predetermined position. As the operator connects the overlapped portions to each other, the terminal end of the old packaging paper and the starting end of the new packaging paper are connected.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In the packaging paper connecting apparatus of PTL 1, an operator manually replaces packaging paper. In addition, during the replacing of the packaging paper, the packaging of a drug is stopped and the drug is not supplied. Therefore, when the time required to replace the packaging paper increases because, for example, the operator is not accustomed to replace the packaging paper, the time during which a drug is not supplied increases and, as a result, the patient's waiting time increases.

An object of the present disclosure is to shorten the time required to replace packaging paper in a drug supply apparatus.

Solution to Problem

A drug supply apparatus of the present disclosure includes the following: a drug supply unit configured to supply a drug to a drug delivery position; a downstream conveying unit configured to convey a first drug packaging paper in such a way that the first drug packaging paper receives the drug at the drug delivery position, in which the first drug packaging paper is strip shaped and folded in half in advance along a longitudinal direction of the first drug packaging paper; an upstream conveying unit configured to convey a second drug packaging paper toward the first drug packaging paper, in which the second drug packaging paper is strip shaped and folded in half in advance along a longitudinal direction of the second drug packaging paper; and a connecting part configured to connect a downstream end part of the second drug packaging paper to the first drug packaging paper.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

A drug supply apparatus of the present disclosure is capable of shortening the time required to replace packaging paper.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, at least one embodiment of the drug supply apparatus of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the side where operation part11is disposed is referred to as the front of drug supply apparatus1, and the opposite side is referred to as the back of drug supply apparatus1as indicated by the arrows inFIG.1. In addition, the left and right sides of drug supply apparatus1when viewed from the front thereof are referred to as the left and right of drug supply apparatus1, respectively. The side away from the surface on which drug supply apparatus1is installed is referred to as the top of drug supply apparatus1(upward or above the apparatus), and the opposite side is referred to as the bottom of drug supply apparatus1(downward or below the apparatus).

FIG.1is a perspective view of exemplary drug supply apparatus1. Drug supply apparatus1includes first floor part10and second floor part20.

First floor part10includes operation part11and take-out part12. In addition, first floor part10includes an input part (not illustrated).

Operation part11is a device to be operated by an operator, and includes, for example, a display, operation buttons, and the like. Various information is input to drug supply apparatus1as the operator operates operation part11.

A drug (herein, a drug may be more than one drug) packaged in drug supply apparatus1is taken out from take-out part12. Take-out part12includes an opening, and the operator takes out the drug from the opening.

The input part is an input device receiving various information input from an external device. The input part is connected to, for example, a personal computer, and receives input from the personal computer, for example, information on a prescription issued at a medical institution.

As illustrated inFIG.2, drug supply apparatus1includes drug supply unit13, packaging unit14, and control part (not illustrated) which performs overall control of drug supply apparatus1. Drug supply unit13is configured to supply a drug to drug delivery position Pr. Drug supply unit13includes a plurality of shelves13aand hopper13b.

The plurality of shelves13aare each configured to store the plurality of cassettes C in the second floor part. Drug supply apparatus1includes 20 shelves13a. The plurality of shelves13aare arranged in five stages in the up-down direction and in four rows in the left-right direction. The number and arrangement of shelves13aprovided in second floor part20are not limited to those of the present embodiment, and the number of stages in the up-down direction and/or the number of rows in the left-right direction may be more or less than those described above.

A plurality of cassettes C are stored in each shelf13aso as to be arranged on shelf13aalong the front and rear direction on both sides of shelf13ain the left-right direction. Each cassette C stores a plurality of drugs. Each cassette C is configured to discharge one tablet of a drug at a time.

The drug discharged from cassette C falls through passage Wand is led to first floor part10. Passage W is provided so as to penetrate each shelf13ain the up-down direction.

Hopper13bis configured to receive the drug led to first floor part10, and lead the received drug through outlet13cto drug delivery position Pr in packaging unit14. Outlet13cis provided approximately at the center of hopper13b.

Packaging unit14is configured to package the drug led out from hopper13b. Packaging unit14includes conveying part30, printer15, and sealing device16.

Conveying part30is configured to convey strip-shaped packaging paper for packaging a drug. Details of conveying part30will be described below.

Printer15is a printing machine for printing, for example, the patient's name, the name of the drug to be supplied in packaging paper conveyed by conveying part30, the date and time of administration, and the like on the surface of the packaging paper.

Sealing device16is for sealing the packaging paper in which a drug is wrapped.

The packaging paper in which the drug is enclosed is cut, for example, with predetermined timing and is conveyed toward take-out part12with the conveyance direction thereof changed by conveying part30.

In the following, conveying part30will be described. As illustrated inFIG.3, conveying part30includes packaging paper holding part31, upstream conveying unit32, downstream conveying unit33, holding member34, cutting part35, base part36, guide member37, and connecting part38. The broken line arrow inFIG.3indicates conveyance direction D1of first drug packaging paper PP1.

Packaging paper holding part31includes first packaging paper holding part31aand second packaging paper holding part31b. First packaging paper holding part31arotatably holds roll M1, which is a package of strip-shaped first drug packaging paper PP1having been folded in half in advance along the longitudinal direction of first drug packaging paper PP1. Second packaging paper holding part31brotatably holds roll M2, which is a package of strip-shaped second drug packaging paper PP2having been folded in half in advance along the longitudinal direction of second drug packaging paper PP2. The packages of first drug packaging paper PP1and second drug packaging paper PP2may be first drug packaging paper PP1in folds and second drug packaging paper PP2in folds.

First packaging paper holding part31aand second packaging paper holding part31bcan be exchanged for each other. That is, first packaging paper holding part31acan hold roll M2, and second packaging paper holding part31bcan hold roll M1. In this case, a pair of rollers32bdescribed below nip (i.e., hold the drug packaging paper between the rollers) and convey second drug packaging paper PP2, and another pair of rollers32dguide first drug packaging paper PP1without nipping the drug packaging paper.

Upstream conveying unit32includes upstream guide member32a, a pair of rollers32b, another upstream guide member32c, the other pair of rollers32d, and moving member32e.

Upstream guide member32ais configured to guide along conveyance direction D1first drug packaging paper PP1fed out from first packaging paper holding part31a. Upstream guide member32ais a plate-shaped member sandwiched by first drug packaging paper PP1. As illustrated inFIGS.4and5, which are an enlarged view and a side view of upstream conveying unit32and holding member34and the peripheries thereof, upstream guide member32ais disposed in such a way that the side surface thereof coinciding with ridge line R1of first drug packaging paper PP1is along conveyance direction D1.

The pair of rollers32bguide first drug packaging paper PP1without nipping the drug packaging paper. The pair of rollers32bare disposed on the upstream side of first drug packaging paper PP1from upstream guide member32a. The pair of rollers32beach have a cylindrical shape. The pair of rollers32binclude driving roller32b1and driven roller32b2.

Driving roller32b1is configured to be rotated by a drive device (not illustrated) such as a motor. Driving roller32b1is disposed in such a way that the rotational axis thereof is parallel to the plate surface of upstream guide member32aand orthogonal to conveyance direction D1of first drug packaging paper PP1.

In addition, driving roller32b1is configured to move toward driven roller32b2to be located at conveying position Pm1, or to move away from driven roller32b2to be located at non-conveying position Pm2. When driving roller32b1is located at conveying position Pm1, the pair of rollers32bcan hold first drug packaging paper PP1or second drug packaging paper PP2located between the rollers and convey the drug packaging paper toward the downstream side.

Driven roller32b2is disposed with the rotational axis thereof inclined. That is, driven roller32b2is disposed in such a way that one end part of driven roller32b2(on the opened side of first drug packaging paper PP1) is located on the downstream side of first drug packaging paper PP1from the other end part of driven roller32b2(on the ridge line R1side of first drug packaging paper PP1). In addition, driven roller32b2contacts the side surface of first drug packaging paper PP1, thereby having a function of changing conveyance direction D1(seeFIG.3).

The other upstream guide member32cis a plate-shaped member sandwiched by second drug packaging paper PP2fed out from second packaging paper holding part31b. When first drug packaging paper PP1is being conveyed, the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2is disposed at the other upstream guide member32c.

The other upstream guide member32cis disposed in such a way that the plate surface thereof is parallel to the plate surface of upstream guide member32a, and the side surface thereof coinciding with ridge line R2of second drug packaging paper PP2is located on the same plane as the side surface of upstream guide member32acoinciding with ridge line R1. The plate thickness of the other upstream guide member32cis approximately the same as the plate thickness of upstream guide member32a. As will be described below, at the time of replacing first drug packaging paper PP1with second drug packaging paper PP2, the other upstream guide member32cguides second drug packaging paper PP2.

The other pair of rollers32dare disposed on the upstream side of second drug packaging paper PP2from the other upstream guide member32c. The other pair of rollers32dare stationary with the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2located between the rollers. As will be described below, at the time of replacing first drug packaging paper PP1with second drug packaging paper PP2, the other pair of rollers32dnip and convey second drug packaging paper PP2.

The other pair of rollers32deach have a cylindrical shape. The other pair of rollers32dinclude driving roller32d1and driven roller32d2.

Driving roller32d1is configured to be rotated by a drive device (not illustrated) such as a motor. Driving roller32d1is disposed in such a way that the rotational axis thereof is parallel to the plate surface of the other upstream guide member32cand orthogonal to conveyance direction D1of first drug packaging paper PP1.

In addition, driving roller32d1is configured to move toward driven roller32d2to be located at conveying position Pm1, or to move away from driven roller32d2to be located at non-conveying position Pm2. When driving roller32d1is located at conveying position Pm1, the other pair of rollers32dcan hold first drug packaging paper PP1or second drug packaging paper PP2located between the rollers and convey the drug packaging paper toward the downstream side.

Driven roller32d2is disposed with the rotational axis thereof inclined. That is, driven roller32d2is disposed in such a way that one end part of driven roller32d2(on the opened side of second drug packaging paper PP2) is located on the downstream side of second drug packaging paper PP2from the other end part of driven roller32d2(on the ridge line R2side of second drug packaging paper PP2). In addition, driven roller32d2contacts the side surface of second drug packaging paper PP2, thereby having a function of changing the conveyance direction of second drug packaging paper PP2.

Moving member32eis configured to be able to move upstream guide member32a, the pair of rollers32b, the other upstream guide member32c, and the other pair of rollers32d, at the time of replacing first drug packaging paper PP1with second drug packaging paper PP2, as described below. Upstream guide member32a, the pair of rollers32b, the other upstream guide member32c, and the other pair of rollers32dare disposed in moving member32e. Moving member32eslides between first guide position Pd1illustrated inFIG.4and second guide position Pd2illustrated inFIG.8, which will be referred to.

First guide position Pd1is a position of moving member32eduring the conveyance of first drug packaging paper PP1. When moving member32eis at first guide position Pd1, the pair of rollers32bguide first drug packaging paper PP1without nipping first drug packaging paper PP1, and upstream guide member32aguides first drug packaging paper PP1. Second guide position Pd2is a position of moving member32ewhen the other pair of rollers32dnip and convey second drug packaging paper PP2and the other upstream guide member32cguides second drug packaging paper PP2at the time of replacing first drug packaging paper PP1with second drug packaging paper PP2, as described below. The position of the other upstream guide member32cwhen moving member32eis located at second guide position Pd2is the same as the position of upstream guide member32awhen moving member32eis located at first guide position Pd1(seeFIGS.4and8).

Returning toFIG.3, the description will be continued. Downstream conveying unit33is configured to convey first drug packaging paper PP1guided by upstream conveying unit32to printer15and sealing device16. Downstream conveying unit33conveys first drug packaging paper PP1in such a way that first drug packaging paper PP1receives a drug at drug delivery position Pr.

Downstream conveying unit33includes a pair of downstream rollers33athat nip and convey first drug packaging paper PP1, a plurality of rollers33bthat change conveyance direction D1of first drug packaging paper PP1, and downstream guide member33c.

Downstream guide member33cis a plate-shaped member sandwiched by first drug packaging paper PP1, and configured to guide first drug packaging paper PP1to drug delivery position Pr. Downstream guide member33cis disposed in such a way that the plate surface thereof is orthogonal to the horizontal direction. First drug packaging paper PP1hold, in its inside, downstream guide member33cwith the opened side of the drug packaging paper facing upward (herein, “in its inside” does not necessarily mean that a component is completely in the inside of another component). First drug packaging paper PP1is opened upward by being guided by downstream guide member33c, and receives a drug led out from hopper13bat drug delivery position Pr.

Holding member34is disposed between upstream conveying unit32and downstream conveying unit33. Holding member34does not hold first drug packaging paper PP1when conveying part30is conveying first drug packaging paper PP1. Holding member34holds first drug packaging paper PP1between the members thereof when first drug packaging paper PP1is to be replaced with second drug packaging paper PP2, as described below. Holding member34is composed of a pair of plate members34aand34b. The pair of plate members34aand34bare disposed in such a way that the plate surfaces of the members are parallel to the plate surface of upstream guide member32a. As illustrated inFIG.4, first plate member34aand second plate member34bare configured to be located at holding position Ps1where the members hold first drug packaging paper PP1therebetween or at a non-holding position Ps2where the members does not hold first drug packaging paper PP1therebetween.

Cutting part35cuts first drug wrapping paper PP1when first drug packaging paper PP1is to be replaced with second drug packaging paper PP2, as described below. Cutting part35includes a blade for cutting first drug packaging paper PP1. At a location between holding member34and upstream conveying unit32, cutting part35cuts first drug packaging paper PP1on plane S orthogonal to conveyance direction D1.

Base part36is disposed on the opposite side of cutting part35with first drug packaging paper PP1therebetween, and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a facing surface that faces the side surface of first drug packaging paper PP1.

As illustrated inFIG.6, cutting part35is configured to be located at cutting position Pc1where cutting part35cuts first drug packaging paper PP1by moving toward first drug packaging paper PP1or at a non-cutting position Pc2that is away from first drug packaging paper PP1. In addition, base part36is configured to be located at contact position Pb1where the facing surface of the base part is brought into contact with first drug packaging paper PP1by moving toward first drug packaging paper PP1or at non-contact position Pb2where the facing surface is away from first drug packaging paper PP1. The facing surface of base part36comes into contact with the cutting edge of cutting part35at the time of cutting first drug packaging paper PP1by cutting part35.FIG.7is a side view illustrating first drug packaging paper PP1and the periphery thereof at the time of cutting first drug packaging paper PP1.

Guide member37is disposed between holding member34and upstream conveying unit32, as illustrated inFIGS.3to5, and configured to guide second drug packaging paper PP2when first drug packaging paper PP1is to be replaced with second drug packaging paper PP2, as described below. Specifically, guide member37is disposed between plane S and upstream guide member32a. Guide member37is a plate-shaped member. The plate thickness of guide member37is substantially the same as the plate thicknesses of upstream guide member32aand the other upstream guide member32c.

During the conveyance of first drug packaging paper PP1by upstream conveying unit32and downstream conveying unit33, guide member37is located at non-guide position Pg2—a position where the guide member does not contact first drug packaging paper PP1, as illustrated inFIG.5. As illustrated inFIGS.8and9indicating the state in which moving member32ehas moved, at the time of replacing first drug packaging paper PP1with second drug packaging paper PP2, guide member37is located at guide position Pg1—a position where the guide member can guide second drug packaging paper PP2. That is, guide member37is configured to be movable between guide position Pg1and non-guide position Pg2. Guide member37includes inclined part37aand recessed part37b.

Inclined part37ais a side portion of guide member37, and ridge line R2of second drug packaging paper PP2overlaps the side portion at the time of guiding second drug packaging paper PP2by guide member37. Inclined part37aextends in a direction substantially parallel to ridge line R2of second drug packaging paper PP2guided by guide member37. Specifically, inclined part37ahas a shape such that the inclined part is inclined from the opened side toward the ridge line R2side of second drug packaging paper PP2as the inclined part approaches the downstream side from the upstream side of second drug packaging paper PP2. Inclined part37ahas a flat shape. Inclined part37amay have a triangular cross section or an arcuate cross section.

Recessed part37bis a portion recessed approximately along conveyance direction D1from the side portion (downstream in conveyance direction D1) of guide member37.

Connecting part38is disposed on the same side as cutting part35when viewed from first drug packaging paper PP1, and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a facing surface that faces the side surface of first drug packaging paper PP1. Connecting part38connects the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2to first drug packaging paper PP1when first drug packaging paper PP1is to be replaced with second drug packaging paper PP2, as described below. Connecting part38includes pressing part38aconfigured to press connecting member T. Connecting member T is configured to connect first drug packaging paper PP1with second drug packaging paper PP2. Pressing part38ais a facing surface that faces the side surface of first drug packaging paper PP1.

Connecting member T is, for example, an adhesive tape. In a state where second drug packaging paper PP2is disposed at the other upstream guide member32c, connecting member T is attached to the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2so as to protrude from the downstream end of the drug packaging paper. Connecting members T are attached to both outer surfaces of second drug packaging paper PP2, which is folded in half Connecting member T may be an adhesive applied to the inside of the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2.

Connecting part38is configured to be located at first pressing position Po1(seeFIG.12), second pressing position Po2(seeFIG.6), or a non-pressing position Po3(seeFIG.4).

First pressing position Po1(seeFIG.12) of connecting part38is a position where pressing part38aand base part36located at contact position Pb1hold first drug packaging paper PP1, second drug wrapping paper PP2, and connecting member T therebetween and press them at the time of connecting first drug packaging paper PP1with second drug packaging paper PP2, as described below.

Second pressing position Po2(seeFIG.6) of connecting part38is a position where pressing part38aand base part36located at contact position Pb1hold first drug packaging paper PP1therebetween and press first drug packaging paper PP1at the time of cutting first drug packaging paper PP1by cutting part35, as described below. Second pressing position Po2is on the upstream side of first drug packaging paper PP1from plane S.

Non-pressing position Po3of connecting part38is a position where connecting part38is separated from first drug packaging paper PP1and thus does not press first drug packaging paper PP1.

In the following, the operation of drug supply apparatus1when first drug packaging paper PP1is to be replaced with second drug packaging paper PP2will be described.

As illustratedFIGS.3to5, when conveying part30is conveying first drug packaging paper PP1, driving roller32b1is located at the non-conveying position Pm2, first plate member34aof holding member34is located at the non-holding position Ps2, and cutting part35is located at non-cutting position Pc2. In addition, base part36is located at non-contact position Pb2, connecting part38is located at non-pressing position Po3, and guide member37is located at non-guide position Pg2. In addition, upstream guide member32aguides first drug packaging paper PP1while being sandwiched by first drug packaging paper PP1.

When the control part detects that first drug packaging paper PP1is running low, the control part stops the operation of drug supply unit13and also stops the operation of the pair of downstream rollers33a. The control part detects that first drug packaging paper PP1is running low, for example, based on a detection signal from a sensor (for example, an infrared sensor) detecting the outer diameter of roll M1or from a sensor detecting the tension of first drug packaging paper PP1. The sensor detecting the tension of first drug packaging paper PP1is, for example, a load sensor that detects the force acting on roller33bof downstream conveying unit33. The tension of first drug packaging paper PP1increases as the amount of first drug packaging paper PP1decreases.

In addition, the following configuration is also possible: when the tension of first drug packaging paper PP1increases, roller33bmoves, and the control part detects that first drug packaging paper PP1is running low based on a detection signal from a position sensor detecting the position of roller33b.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIG.6, the control part moves first plate member34ato holding position Ps1. As a result, holding member34holds first drug packaging paper PP1between the members thereof. Further, the control part moves base part36to contact position Pb1and moves connecting part38to second pressing position Po2. As a result, base part36and connecting part38hold first drug packaging paper PP1therebetween at a location between holding member34and upstream conveying unit32.

The control part then cuts first drug packaging paper PP1at cutting position Pc1by moving cutting part35in a direction orthogonal to conveyance direction D1. Solid line L along plane S illustrated inFIG.7represents the ends of first drug packaging paper PP1formed when first drug packaging paper PP1is cut (the ends being the upstream end on the side held by holding member34and the downstream end on the side held by base part36and connecting part38). On the upstream side from plane S, first drug packaging paper PP1is held by base part36and connecting part38. On the downstream side from plane S, first drug packaging paper PP1is held by holding member34. Therefore, cutting part35can reliably cut first drug packaging paper PP1in a straight line without shifting the position of first drug packaging paper PP1.

When cutting part35finishes the cutting, the control part positions cutting part35at non-cutting position Pc2, moves connecting part38to non-pressing position Po3, and moves base part36to non-contact position Pb2.

Subsequently, the control part moves driving roller32d1of the other pair of rollers32dso that the other pair of rollers32dhold the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2therebetween. In this state, the control part moves moving member32efrom first guide position Pd1to second guide position Pd2, as illustrated inFIGS.8and9. The other upstream guide member32cis thus located at the position where upstream guide member32ahas been located before moving member32emoves. In addition, the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2faces the upstream end part of first drug packaging paper PP1.

The control part further moves guide member37to guide position Pg1. As a result, guide member37and upstream guide member32aface each other. Subsequently, the control part rotates driving roller32d1to convey second drug packaging paper PP2.

As illustrated inFIG.9, driven roller32d2is disposed at an angle. Specifically, driven roller32d2is disposed in such a way that one end part of driven roller32d2(on the opened side of second drug packaging paper PP2) is located on the downstream side of second drug packaging paper PP2from the other end part of driven roller32d2(on the ridge line R2side of second drug packaging paper PP2). Therefore, the other pair of rollers32dconvey second drug packaging paper PP2in a direction inclined with respect to conveyance direction D1of first drug packaging paper PP1.

Specifically, the other pair of rollers32dconvey second drug packaging paper PP2in such a way that the opened side of the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2approaches the ridge line R1side of the upstream end part of first drug packaging paper PP1. When second drug packaging paper PP2is conveyed to guide member37, second drug packaging paper PP2is guided by guide member37. Describing with reference to the state illustrated inFIG.9, guide member37guides second drug packaging paper PP2in such a way that as second drug packaging paper PP2moves leftward, the left end of second drug packaging paper PP2moves upward.

That is, second drug packaging paper PP2is guided by inclined part37aof guide member37in such a way that as the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2approaches the upstream end part of first drug packaging paper PP1, the opened side of the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2approaches the ridge line R1side of the upstream end part of first drug packaging paper PP1. In other words, the direction in which inclined part37aguides second drug packaging paper PP2is approximately the same as the direction in which the other pair of rollers32dconvey second drug packaging paper PP2. Therefore, second drug packaging paper PP2is smoothly conveyed and guided without being caught by inclined part37a. In addition, guide member37includes recessed part37b, thereby reducing contact of connecting member T with guide member37.

As second drug packaging paper PP2is conveyed and guided as described above, when second drug packaging paper PP2is conveyed to the downstream end part of first drug packaging paper PP1, ridge line R2of second drug packaging paper PP2is located above ridge line R1of first drug packaging paper PP1. As illustrated inFIG.10, a longitudinal cross-sectional view of guide member37and a periphery thereof, second drug packaging paper PP2is wider than the plate thickness of guide member37. The downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2thus holds in its inside the upstream end part of first drug packaging paper PP1, and ridge line R2of second drug packaging paper PP2overlaps ridge line R1of first drug packaging paper PP1, as illustrated inFIG.11. Second drug packaging paper PP2is thus smoothly conveyed and guided without the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2bumping into the upstream end part of first drug packaging paper PP1.

At this time, first drug packaging paper PP1is held by holding member34between the members thereof. Therefore, even when the moving second drug packaging paper PP2or the moving connecting member T comes into contact with first drug packaging paper PP1, first drug packaging paper PP1can stay at a predetermined position without shifting to the downstream side.

That is, upstream conveying unit32conveys second drug packaging paper PP2in such a way that the opened side of the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2approaches the ridge line R1side of the upstream end part of first drug packaging paper PP1. In addition, upstream conveying unit32conveys second drug packaging paper PP2toward first drug packaging paper PP1in such a way that the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2holds in its inside the upstream end part of first drug packaging paper PP1, and ridge line R2of second drug packaging paper PP2overlaps ridge line R1of first drug packaging paper PP1. Therefore, in the case of replacing packaging paper, second drug packaging paper PP2is smoothly conveyed to overlap first drug packaging paper PP1while preventing the generation of folds in first drug packaging paper PP1and second drug packaging paper PP2.

The control part stops the operation of the pair of rollers32bin response to the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2overlapping the upstream end part of first drug packaging paper PP1. The control part detects that the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2overlaps the upstream end part of first drug packaging paper PP1based on a detection signal from a position sensor (for example, an infrared sensor) detecting the position of second drug packaging paper PP2.

Subsequently, the control part positions guide member37at non-guide position Pg2. Furthermore, the control part positions base part36at contact position Pb1and connecting part38at first pressing position Po1, as illustrated inFIG.12. As a result, connecting member T is located between base part36and connecting part38and pressed, thereby connecting first drug packaging paper PP1with second drug packaging paper PP2.

The control part then positions connecting part38at non-pressing position Po3, base part36at non-contact position Pb2, first plate member34aat non-holding position Ps2, and driving roller32d1at non-conveying position Pm2, as illustrated inFIG.13.

Further, when first drug packaging paper PP1is conveyed by the pair of downstream rollers33adue to the operation by the control part, second drug packaging paper PP2connected to first drug packaging paper PP1is also conveyed. When first drug packaging paper PP1is consumed, the packaging paper conveyed by conveying part30is switched to second drug packaging paper PP2. In addition, the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2holds, in its inside, the upstream end part of first drug packaging paper PP1; therefore, the upstream end of second drug packaging paper PP2is not caught by downstream guide member33c. Therefore, switching to second drug packaging paper PP2is performed smoothly.

As described above, drug supply apparatus1automatically replaces first drug packaging paper PP1with second drug packaging paper PP2. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency and shorten the time required to replace packaging paper. In addition, roll M2is held by second packaging paper holding part31b, and the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2is disposed at the other upstream guide member32c. Such a configuration allows the control part to convey second drug packaging paper PP2to connect second drug packaging paper PP2to first drug packaging paper PP1in response to first drug packaging paper PP1being running low, without waiting for the supply of roll M2of second drug packaging paper PP2.

Even after first drug packaging paper PP1is replaced with second drug packaging paper PP2, first drug packaging paper PP1is placed at upstream conveying unit32and is held in first packaging paper holding part31a, as illustrated inFIG.12. Before second drug packaging paper PP2runs low, an operator replaces first drug packaging paper PP1(placed at upstream conveying unit32and in first packaging paper holding part31a) with a new roll M1of first drug packaging paper PP1.

Drug supply apparatus1may notify an operator that the packaging paper has been replaced by, for example, displaying a message on a display or sounding a buzzer. In response to the notification, the operator replaces roll M1with a new roll.

Specifically, the operator removes first drug packaging paper PP1from first packaging paper holding part31aand attaches a new roll M1. The operator then disposes the downstream end part (fed out from the new roll M1) of first drug packaging paper PP1at upstream guide member32a, as illustrated inFIG.13. Subsequently, the operator attaches connecting member T to the downstream end part of first drug packaging paper PP1so as to protrude from the downstream end of the drug packaging paper.

When the control part detects that second drug packaging paper PP2is running low, for example, based on the detection signal of the position sensor described above, the control part automatically replaces second drug packaging paper PP2with the new first drug packaging paper PP1in the same manner as when the old first drug packaging paper PP1is automatically replaced with second drug packaging paper PP2as described above. When the control part replaces second drug packaging paper PP2with a new first drug packaging paper PP1, conveying part30conveys the new first drug packaging paper PP1as in the state illustrated inFIG.3.

The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above. Various variations derived from the present embodiment are also included within the scope of the present disclosure, as long as those variations do not depart from the spirit of the present disclosure.

For example, first drug packaging paper PP1and second drug packaging paper PP2may be connected to each other by heat sealing. In this case, connecting part38is configured to include a heater. It is not necessary to attach connecting member T to second drug packaging paper PP2.

First drug packaging paper PP1and second drug packaging paper PP2may be connected to each other without being overlapping. The downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2may be connected to a portion other than the upstream end part of first drug packaging paper PP1.

In the pairs of rollers32band rollers32d, not only driven rollers32b2and32d2but also driving rollers32b1and32d1may be disposed to be inclined in the same manner as driven rollers32b2and32d2. In place of disposing driven rollers32b2and32d2so as to be inclined, driving rollers32b1and32d1may be disposed to be inclined.

When first drug packaging paper PP1is to be replaced with second drug packaging paper PP2, second drug packaging paper PP2may be conveyed along conveyance direction D1. In this case, driven rollers32b2and32d2may be disposed so that the rotational axes of the rollers are orthogonal to conveyance direction D1, that is, not inclined.

As illustrated inFIG.14, the following configuration is also possible: the circumferential side surface of driven roller132d2is tapered surface TS in which the circumferential length on the opened side of second drug packaging paper PP2is longer than the circumferential length on the ridge line R2side of second drug packaging paper PP2. Driven roller132d2is disposed in such a way that the rotational axis thereof is orthogonal to conveyance direction D1of first drug packaging paper PP1, and tapered surface TS is in line contact with the side surface of second drug packaging paper PP2. Due to this tapered surface TS, second drug packaging paper PP2is conveyed in such a way that the opened side of the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2approaches the ridge line R1side of the upstream end part of first drug packaging paper PP1. At least one of the circumferential side surfaces of driven roller32b2and driving rollers32b1and32d1may be tapered surface TS.

In addition, conveying part30does not need to include second packaging paper holding part31b, the other upstream guide member32c, the other pair of rollers32d, and moving member32e. In this case, at the time of replacing first drug packaging paper PP1with second drug packaging paper PP2, the control part positions cutting part35at non-cutting position Pc2after cutting first drug packaging paper PP1, moves connecting part38to non-pressing position Po3, and moves base part36to non-contact position Pb2. In this state, the control part stops the operation of conveying part30. At this time, the control part may notify an operator of the request for replacement of the roll by, for example, displaying a message on a display.

The operator then removes first drug packaging paper PP1from first packaging paper holding part31aand attaches roll M2of second drug packaging paper PP2to first packaging paper holding part31a. The operator further disposes the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2at upstream guide member32a, and attaches connecting member T to the downstream end part of second drug packaging paper PP2.

Subsequently, the operator inputs information, indicating that the attachment of the roll has been completed, on operation part11. In response, the control part moves guide member37to guide position Pg1and positions driving roller32b1at conveying position Pm1. The control part further rotates driving roller32b1to convey second drug packaging paper PP2. As a result, second drug packaging paper PP2is conveyed and guided as described above and connected to first drug packaging paper PP1by connecting part38. Downstream conveying unit33conveys first drug packaging paper PP1as described above, and thus first drug packaging paper PP1is replaced with second drug packaging paper PP2.

In addition, drug supply apparatus1does not need to include cutting part35. In this case, the operator manually cuts first drug packaging paper PP1, and while the operator performs the cutting work, the control part stops the operation of conveying part30configured to replace packaging paper.

In addition, drug supply apparatus1does not need to include connecting part38. In this case, the operator manually connects first drug packaging paper PP1with second drug packaging paper PP2, and while the operator performs the connecting work, the control part stops the operation of conveying part30configured to replace packaging paper.

This application is entitled to and claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-159486 filed on Sep. 29, 2021, the disclosure of which including the specification, drawings, and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure is widely available for drug supply apparatuses.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST