Abstract:
A cassette device for an automatic medicine packaging apparatus includes a cassette main body that contains medicine, a dispensing block that aligns medicine for dispensing according to a prescription and a partitioning member that blocks medicine from discharging from the cassette main body and allows medicine to be discharged only when the partitioning member is controlled to discharge medicine according to the prescription. The partitioning member includes a non-deforming portion and a deforming portion that is connected to the non-deforming portion. The non-deforming portion contacts medicine aligned in the dispensing block. The deforming portion deforms when as external force is applied whereby the non-deforming portion can be displaced.

Description:
CLAIMING FOREIGN PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The applicant claims and requests a foreign priority, through the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, based on patent applications filed in the Republic of Korea (South Korea) with the filing date of Nov. 1, 2006 with the patent application number 10-2006-0107321 by the applicant, the contents of which are incorporated by reference into this disclosure as if fully set forth herein. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a cassette device for automatic medicine packaging apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cassette device for automatic medicine packaging apparatus that includes a partitioning member that prevents damage of tablets during dispensing of the tablets. 
         [0003]    An automatic medicine packaging apparatus has been widely used to continuously package medicines per dose. The medicines are selected from multiple cassettes that contain different tablets or capsules. 
         [0004]    A cassette device for such an automatic medicine packaging apparatus includes a cassette main body that contains medicines of various size and shape, a dispensing block that is rotatably received in the cassette main body and separates and discharges medicine, a cassette base that supports the cassette main body and encloses a motor that rotates the dispensing block, and a partition member that is installed in the cassette main body and makes the dispensing block dispense predetermined amount of medicine. 
         [0005]    A plurality of feeding grooves are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing block, and the tablets contained in the cassette main body are discharged out of the cassette through these feeding grooves. The partitioning member is required to block the feeding groove so that only predetermined amount of tablets is dispensed. 
         [0006]    Japan Laid-Open Patent Publication No. (Hei)9-266,940 discloses a partitioning member that is made by bending metal plate. This prior art partitioning member is formed by bending part of partitioning member body substantially perpendicularly. A through hole is formed on one side of the partitioning member body. A fastener is inserted into this through hole and fastened so that the partitioning member is fixed to the cassette main body. While this partitioning member is easy to manufacture and can partition tablets well, it has disadvantages to scratch surface of tablets or to break edges of tables when the partitioning member climbs over superposed tablets which have thin edges. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,309 discloses a partitioning member that includes comb-shaped partitioning portion. The comb-shaped partitioning member is integrally formed with synthetic resin. A through hole is provided on one side of the body of the partitioning member, into which a fastener is inserted to fix the partitioning member to the cassette main body. While the comb-shaped partitioning portion does not damage tablets even though it climbs over superposed tablets, it has disadvantages that elaborate manufacturing process is required to injection mold the many thin teeth of the comb, and the teeth are prone to deformation or fracture by tablets. When the teeth are deformed or broken, and as a result the gaps between adjacent teeth become not constant, the partitioning is not performed properly and tablets that are more than the predetermined amount may be dispensed. 
         [0008]    A partitioning member that can precisely partition tablets, prevent damage or fracture of tablets, and also prevent deformation or fracture of itself has long been in need. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantages of the prior art. 
         [0010]    An objective of the invention is to provide a partitioning member for a medicine cassette of an automatic medicine packaging apparatus, which is durable and easy to manufacture. 
         [0011]    Another objective of the invention is to provide a partitioning member that deforms freely to treat irregularities of tablet positioning in a dispensing block of the medicine cassette. 
         [0012]    In order to achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a cassette device for an automatic medicine packaging apparatus, which includes a cassette main body that is adapted to contain medicine, a dispensing block that is adapted to align medicine for dispensing according to a prescription, and a partitioning member that is adapted to block medicine from discharging from the cassette main body and to allow medicine to be discharged only when the partitioning member is controlled to discharge medicine according to the prescription. 
         [0013]    The partitioning member includes a non-deforming portion and a deforming portion that is connected to the non-deforming portion. The non-deforming portion is adapted to contact medicine aligned in the dispensing block. The deforming portion deforms when as external force is applied whereby the non-deforming portion can be displaced. 
         [0014]    The deforming portion includes a flexing portion that includes one or more arc-shaped portions. 
         [0015]    The non-deforming portion includes a fixing bracket that is fixed to the cassette main body, a movable portion, and a support portion that protrudes from the movable portion. The flexing portion connects between the fixing bracket and the movable portion. The fixing bracket includes one or more through holes. 
         [0016]    The support portion is substantially orthogonal with the movable portion. The support portion is adapted to partition medicine aligned in the dispensing block. 
         [0017]    The dispensing block includes a block body, a plurality of dividing projections that are formed on the outer periphery of the block body, a plurality of feeding grooves that are formed between the dividing projections, and a dividing groove that is formed traverse to the dividing projections. The support portion of the partitioning member is positioned in the dividing groove. 
         [0018]    Alternatively, the dispensing block includes a block body, a plurality of dividing projections that are formed on the outer periphery of the block body, and a plurality of feeding grooves that are formed between the dividing projections. The support portion of the partitioning member is positioned at the upper end of the feeding groove. 
         [0019]    The arc-shaped portions of the flexing portion are convex opposite to the direction in which the support portion protrudes from the movable portion. 
         [0020]    Alternatively, the arc-shaped portions of the flexing portion are convex in the same direction in which the support portion protrudes from the movable portion. 
         [0021]    The support portion has a shape of a substantially thin plate. The support portion includes two side edges that are formed as blades, and an edge that faced toward the dispensing block. The edge is concave arc-shaped. 
         [0022]    The advantages of the present invention are: (1) the partitioning member provides reliable partitioning and dispensing operations for tablets contained in the medicine cassette; (2) the partitioning member does not damage or break medicine during its operation; and (3) the partitioning member is durable and easy to manufacture, and is not prone to damage or fracture. 
         [0023]    Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view showing a cassette device for automatic medicine packaging apparatus according to the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a cylindrical dispensing block that is provided in the cassette device; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view showing a partitioning member according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3   b  is a plan view of the partitioning member; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3   c  is an elevation view of the partitioning member; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view showing a partitioning member according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4   b  is a plan view of the partitioning member; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4   c  is an elevation view of the partitioning member; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view showing another cassette device; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing another dispensing block. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    In the present invention, medicine means every solid medication that has a predetermined shape including tablets, capsules, etc. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  shows a cassette device for an automatic medicine packaging apparatus that can pack various medicines per dose continuously. The cassette device includes a cassette main body  10  that contains medicines of various size and shape, a dispensing block  30  that is rotatably received in the cassette main body  10  and separates and discharges medicine, a motor  21  that rotates the dispensing block  30 , a cassette base  20  that supports the cassette main body  10 , and a partition member  40 ,  50  that is installed in the cassette main body  10  and makes the dispensing block  30  dispense predetermined amount of medicine. 
         [0037]    The dispensing block  30  has a generally cylindrical shape. Medicines are contained above the dispensing block  30 . The medicine is aligned as the dispensing block  30  is rotated and discharged as explained below. 
         [0038]    The cassette main body  10  has a structure so that it is separable from the cassette base  20  for maintenance including refilling medicine or cleaning. A rotation shaft of the dispensing block is detachably attached to a rotation shaft of the motor  21 . For example, a male gear may by provided on the rotation shaft of the motor  21 , and a corresponding female gear may be provided to the rotation shaft of the dispensing block  30 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  shows that the dispensing block  30  includes a block body  31 , the upper portion of which is generally cone-shaped, a plurality of dividing projections  32  that are formed on the outer periphery of the block body  30 , a plurality of longitudinal feeding grooves  33  that are formed between the dividing projections  32 , and a dividing groove  34  that is formed transverse to the dividing projections  32 . 
         [0040]    A plurality of convex portions  35  are formed on the cone-shaped top portion of the block body  30 . The convex portions  35  are spaced from one another. The convex portions  35  facilitate random mixing of the medicines contained in the cassette main body  10  and preventing jamming of medicines that may occur when multiple tables are moved into the feeding groove  33  simultaneously. Also for this purpose, the heights of the dividing projections  32  differ from one another. 
         [0041]    The medicines or tablets are discharged out of the cassette through the feeding grooves  33 . The partitioning member  40 ,  50  blocks the feeding groove  33  so that only predetermined amount of medicine is discharged. 
         [0042]    The dividing groove  34  is provided to prevent interference of the partitioning member with the dividing projections  32 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 3   a ˜ 3   c  show the partitioning member  40  according to the first embodiment of the invention. The partitioning member  40  includes a fixing bracket  41  that is assembled and fixed to the cassette main body  10 , a movable portion  42 , on which a support portion  44  protrudes vertically, and a flexing portion  43  that connects between the fixing bracket  41  and the movable portion  42 . The support portion  44  partitions the tablets aligned in one column inside the feeding groove  33  and supports the tablet rests on the support portion  44 . 
         [0044]    One or more through holes  41   a  are formed on the fixing bracket  41 . The through holes are slots that extend vertically. The partitioning member  40  is fixed to the cassette main body  10  inserting a fastener such as a screw (not shown) into the through hole  41   a . The fixing position of the portioning member  40  may be adjusted vertically by adjusting the position of the fastener within the through hole  41   a.    
         [0045]    The support portion  44  has a shape of substantially thin plate, and the two side edges thereof are formed as blades so that it can easily partition the tablets rotating with the dispensing block  30 . The shapes of the movable portion  42  and the support portion  44  are kept unchanged. The edge of the support portion  44  that faces toward the dispensing block  30  is concave arc-shaped so that it corresponds with the circular shape of the dispensing block. 
         [0046]    The flexing portion  43  connects between the fixing bracket  41  and the movable portion  42  as two arc-shaped members. Since the fixing bracket  41  is fixed to the cassette main body  10 , the support portion  44  is located within the dividing groove  34  having a certain positional flexibility provided by the flexing portion  43 . 
         [0047]    The support portion  44  is integrally formed with the movable portion  42  and the thin plate shape of the support portion  44  does not change. This facilitates partitioning of the tablets which may be overlapped in the feeding groove  33 . 
         [0048]    If an external force is exerted to the partitioning member  40 , elastic deformation occurs at the flexing portion that has comparatively low strength. Thus, even if the support portion climbs over superposed tablets, the entire movable portion  42  including the support portion  44  retracts by the thickness of the tablet so that it does not damage the tablet. 
         [0049]    Since the flexing portion  43  has an arc shape, it can accommodate various movements of the movable portion  42  that occur when the support portion  44  climbs over a tablet and thus is subject to an external force. The movements includes a backward pivoting movement that occurs when the moving portion  42  pivots backward, a translational movement when the moving portion  42  moves along its length, a vertical pivoting movement that occurs when the moving portion pivots up or down, and a torsion movement. The flexing strength of the flexing portion  43  can be adjusted by changing the thickness, width, number of connecting portions, or the radius of the arc. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 4   a ˜ 4   c  show the partitioning member  50  according to the second embodiment of the invention. The partitioning member  50  includes a fixing bracket  51  that is assembled and fixed to the cassette main body  10 , a movable portion  52 , on which a support portion  54  protrudes vertically, and a flexing portion  53  that connects between the fixing bracket  51  and the movable portion  52 . The support portion  54  partitions the tablets aligned in one column inside the feeding groove  33  and supports the tablet rests on the support portion  54 . One or more through holes  51   a  are formed on the fixing bracket  51 . The through holes are slots that extend vertically. 
         [0051]    The partitioning member  50  is similar to the partitioning member  40 . However, the flexing portion  53  of the partitioning member  50  is convex in the same direction in which the support portion  54  protrudes, and has roughly the shape of “M” as shown well in  FIG. 4   b . On the other hand, the flexing portion  43  of the partitioning member  40  is convex opposite to the protruding direction of the support portion  44  as shown well in  FIG. 3   b . While the particular shape of the flexing portion  53  is different from that of the flexing portion  43 , the flexing portion  53  provides the same advantageous effects with the flexing portion  43 . 
         [0052]    The partitioning members  40 ,  50  are injection molded with polypropylene or any other material that are suitable for medical applications. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show a dispensing block  130  that is different from the dispensing block  30  in that the dispensing block  130  does not have a dividing groove, and has a plurality of dividing projections  132  that have constant height. 
         [0054]    The dispensing block  130  includes a block body  131 , the upper portion of which is generally cone-shaped, a plurality of the dividing projections  132  that are formed on the outer periphery of the block body  130 , and a plurality of longitudinal feeding grooves  133  that are formed between the dividing projections  132 . 
         [0055]    A plurality of convex portions  135  are formed on the cone-shaped top portion of the block body  130 . The convex portions  135  are spaced from one another. The convex portions  135  facilitate random mixing of the medicines contained in the cassette main body  10  and preventing jamming of medicines that may occur when multiple tables are moved into the feeding groove  133  simultaneously. 
         [0056]    The height of the dividing projections  132  is constant. As shown well in  FIG. 5 , the partitioning member  40 ,  50  is positioned to closely contact the upper surface of the dividing projection and the upper end of the feeding groove  133 . 
         [0057]    While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.