Abstract:
A tablet cutting apparatus including a cutter ( 22 ) for notching a tablet, a receiver plate ( 39 ) for supporting the tablet from the bottom, and a divider roller ( 23 ) for dividing the tablet into two halves along the notch formed by the cutter ( 22 ). The tablet is held between the divider roller ( 23 ) and the receiver plate ( 29 ). Thus, after notching the tablet by the cutter ( 22 ), the tablet is divided into two by the receiver plate ( 39 ) and the divider roller ( 23 ), and thereby the tablet is precisely split into halves.

Description:
This a divisional application of Ser. No. 09/295,353, filed Apr. 21, 1999 U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,064. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a tablet packing apparatus and, more particularly, to a tablet packing apparatus having a function of cutting a tablet into halves for delivering it to a child patient or for the like purpose. 
     In the case that the patient is a child, if one tablet is prescribed for one dose, the dose is too much for the child. Therefore, if has been customary practice to cut the tablet into halves to prescribe one half of the tablet. In such a case, although it is common to manually divide the tablet into two parts, there has been proposed an arrangement such that one tablet is divided into halves by a tablet splitter (as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-7715, for example). 
     With manual cutting, however, there is disadvantages that operating efficiency is very poor, and that it is difficult to split the tablet accurately into halves. 
     Even when the tablet splitter is used, a tablet having no split line formed on the surface thereof can hardly be split accurately into halves. Furthermore, it is necessary that tablet splitting and subsequent packing must be separately carried out. This involves troublesome work, resulting in poor operating efficiency. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a tablet cutting apparatus which can precisely split a tablet into halves. 
     In order to accomplish the above object, a tablet cutting apparatus according to the present invention is provided and the tablet cutting apparatus, comprises: 
     a cutter for notching a tablet; 
     a receiver plate for supporting the tablet from bottom; and 
     a divider roller for dividing the tablet into two halves along the notch formed by the cutter, the tablet being held between the divider roller and the receiver plate. 
     In the tablet cutting apparatus having the above described construction, after notching the tablet by the cutter, the tablet is divided into two by the receiver plate and the divider roller, whereby the tablet is precisely split into halves. 
     Preferably, the tablet cutting apparatus may further comprise a transport portion for transporting the tablet at positions of the cutter and the receiver plate, and a tablet positioning portion for positioning the tablet at a predetermined position confronting the cutter. In this case, the tablet positioning portion may have inclined surfaces adapted to abut the tablet from opposite sides in rectangular relation to the direction of tablet transport in such a way as to press the tablet downward. The tablet positioning portion may include a solenoid for positioning the tablet at the predetermined position by protruding a plunger thereof from the inclined surface. 
     Preferably, the divider roller may be formed with an escape groove centrally of the outer periphery thereof so that the escape groove is opposed to the notch formed by the cutter, and the upper surface of the receiver plate may comprise a cylindrical surface with a curvature bulging upward. 
     Preferably, the tablet cutting apparatus may further comprise a cleaner device which includes a hood for covering the cutter and the divider roller from above, the cleaner device operates to suck powder that is generated from the tablet via the hood. 
     Preferably, the tablet cutting apparatus may further comprise a split guide plate for guiding split half tablets divided by the receiver plate and the divider roller to different places, respectively. 
     Preferably, the tablet cutting apparatus may further comprise a memory for storing a cutting condition according to the kind of tablet, and a controller for reading the cutting condition corresponding to the kind of the tablet to be cut from the memory and controlling operation of the cutter according to the cutting condition. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be become clear from the following description taken in conjunction with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a tablet packing apparatus according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway view in perspective showing one example of a tablet supply section in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view in perspective of a tablet feeder in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the tablet feeder in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tablet cutting section and a tablet reservoir section in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of the tablet cutting section in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along lines VII—VII of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along lines VIII—VIII of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a front view of a divider roller shown in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the process of packing control; 
     FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the process of packing control continued from FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the process of cutting and stocking in FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the process of packing control continued from FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the process of packing control continued from FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the process of packing control continued from FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the process of packing control continued from FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the process of cutting in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the process of cutting continued from FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the process of cutting continued from FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a variation of the tablet supply section; 
     FIG. 21 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing a variation of the tablet collecting assembly; and 
     FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a variation of the tablet cutting section. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The tablet packing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 consists essentially of a tablet supply section  1 , a tablet cutting section  2 , a tablet accumulating section  3 , a tablet packing section  4 , and a controller  5 . 
     As FIG. 2 shows, the tablet supply section  1  comprises a supply section body  6  of a box-like shape and plural drawer assemblies  7  arranged in parallel relation therein so as to be readily drawn. 
     Each drawer assembly  7  comprises plural tablet feeders  8  arranged on both sides, with a tablet discharge path (not shown) each formed between the both sides tablet feeders  8 . As FIGS. 3 and 4 show, each tablet feeder  8  includes a cartridge container  10  which is removably fitted on a motor base  9 . 
     The motor base  9  incorporates a motor not shown, the driving force of which is transmitted to a gear  9   a  exposed on the upper surface of the motor base. Adjacent to the gear  9   a  there is formed a discharge passage  11  for tablet discharge. On the inner surface of the discharge passage  11  there is provided a tablet sensor  12  for detecting a tablet passing through the passage. Further, on the motor base  9  at one side of rails for guiding the cartridge container  10  there is provided a tablet identifying sensor  13  for identifying the kind of tablet in the cartridge container  10  mounted on the motor base  9 . 
     The cartridge container  10  is provided with gears  10   a,    11   a  engaged with each other on the bottom surface. The gear  10   a  engages with the gear  9   a  of the motor base  9 , while the gear  11   a  is fixed to a shaft of a tablet alignment plate  14  which is rotatably mounted on the inner bottom of the cartridge container  10 . Whereby, when the motor of the motor base  9  is driven, the tablet alignment plate  14  is rotated through gears  9   a,    10   a,  and  11   a  to cause tablets housed in the container  10  to be discharged one by one to the tablet discharge passage  11  on the motor base  9 . Further, the cartridge container  10  has a marker portion  15  to be detected by the tablet identifying sensor  13  when the cartridge container is mounted on the motor base  9 . The marker portion  15  indicates the designation of tablet, which is binary-coded by a mark and a space. 
     Beneath the drawer assembly  7 , as shown in FIG. 2, there is formed a hopper  16  for receiving a tablet dropping through the tablet discharge path  11  of each tablet feeder  8 . The hopper  16  is a substantially pyramid-shaped hopper which is inclined downward gradually toward a center hole  16   a.  Below the center hole  16   a  there is provided an intermediate shutter  17  as shown in FIG.  1 . By changing the pivoting position of the intermediate shutter  17  it is possible to cause a tablet dropping through each tablet discharge path  11  to be supplied to either the tablet cutting section  2  or the tablet packing section  4  through the tablet passages  18   a,    18   b.    
     As FIGS. 5 and 6 show, the tablet cutting section includes a conveyor belt  20  for transporting tablets fed through the tablet passage  18   a  and a guide hopper  19 . As shown in FIG. 6 a shutter  19   a  is pivotally provided at a lower end opening of the guide hopper  19 . The shutter  19   a  is operative to stop once a tablet is supplied onto the belt conveyor  20  though the guide hopper. 
     On a transport path of the belt conveyer  20  there are provided a tablet presser unit  21 , a milling cutter  22 , a divider roller  23 , a cleaner unit  24 , and a tablet retaining hopper  25 . 
     The tablet presser unit  21  consists of a pair of tablet presser portions  26  and a cutter table  27  as shown in FIG.  7 . 
     The tablet presser portions  26  comprise a pair of presser pieces  28  each having an inclined surface  28   a  at front end. Each presser piece  28  includes a driving piece  29  formed with a rock gear  29   a  at a side face thereof. The driving piece  29  extends from a rear end of the presser piece  28  so as to form a generally L-shaped configuration when viewed in plan and a generally U-shaped configuration when viewed sideways in section. The inclined surface  28   a  of presser piece  28  is so formed as to be inclined upward gradually toward the front end. As FIG. 8 shows, rotatably disposed gear  30  is in mesh engagement with the rack gears  29   a  of the driving pieces  29 , and guide bearings  31  are rotatably held in abutment with the opposite side surface of each driving piece  29 . A cam  33  which is to be driven to pivot by the driving force of a motor  32  is held in abutment with one of the presser pieces  28 . The rear end of the one presser piece  28  and the front end of the driving piece  29  of the other tablet presser piece  28  are connected by a spring  34 . The presser pieces  28  each incorporate a solenoid  28   b  so that a plunger  28   c  thereof retractably projects out of the inclined surfaces  28   a.  The plunger  28   c  acts to position each tablet transported on the belt conveyor  20  at a predetermined position in the direction of tablet transport. 
     The cutter table  27  is positioned on the underside of the upper run of the belt conveyer  20 . The cutter table  27  is fixed to an extension from a tablet cutting section body not shown. For detecting a tablet transported by the belt conveyer  20  to a location, above the cutter table  27 , there is provided a transported tablet position detecting sensor  27   a  (FIG.  1 ). 
     The milling cutter  22  is disposed at the distal end of a substantially L-shaped arm  36  that extends from an upright support plate  35  (FIG. 5) disposed alongside the belt conveyor  20  so as to be rotatably driven by a motor  37 . The support plate  35  is disposed so as to perform vertical reciprocating movement. The arm  36  is disposed so as to be reciprocably movable along the transport direction of the belt conveyor  20  in a rectangular hole  35   a  formed in the support plate  35 . 
     As shown in FIG. 9, the divider roller  23  is formed with an escape groove  23   a  positioned centrally of the outer periphery thereof. The divider roller  23  is rotatably mounted at one end of the substantially L-shaped swivel arm  38  (FIG.  5 ). Along with the milling cutter  22 , the divider roller  23  is reciprocably movable along the transport direction of belt conveyor  20 . However, the divider roller  23  may be adapted to be reciprocably movable independently of the milling cutter  22 . The divider roller  23  is also vertically movable through swivel movement of the swivel arm  38 . On the underside of the upper run of belt conveyor  20  there is provided a split receiver plate  39  (FIG. 9) so that the tablet can be held between the divider roller  23  and the split receiver plate  39  when the split receiver plate  39  is moved downward. The upper surface  39   a  of the split receiver plate  39  comprises a cylindrical surface with a curvature bulging upward to facilitate tablet cutting when the tablet is held between the split receiver plate  39  and the divider roller  23 . Downstream of the divider roller  23  there is disposed a split guide plate  40  for guiding a split tablet to the tablet retaining hopper  25 . 
     The cleaner unit  24  includes a hood  41  for covering the milling cutter  22  and the divider roller  23  from above as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. On the milling cutter  22  side there is provided a high-voltage ion generator  42  for floating powder material adhering to the surface of the milling cutter  22  to facilitate a sucking operation. On the divider roller  23  side there is provided a brush  43  for scraping off the powder material adhering to the surface of the divider roller  23  to facilitate the sucking operation. Also, beneath the belt conveyor  20  there is provided a hood  44  in such a way as to partially cover the underside of the lower run of the belt conveyor. In the interior of the hood  44  there is provided a brush  45  for scraping off the powder material adhering to the belt conveyor  20  to facilitate the sucking operation. It is to be noted, however, that the cleaner unit  24  is not limited to above mentioned construction, but any known construction intended for similar purposes (for example, high frequency vibration of a milling cutter) may be employed. 
     The tablet retaining hopper  25  is intended for temporarily retaining tablets split by the divider roller  23 , and is disposed on both sides of the belt conveyer  20 . At the lower end opening of the tablet retaining hopper  25 , as shown in FIG. 1, there are provided a retained half-tablet detecting sensor  25   a  and a shutter  46 . 
     As FIG. 5 shows, the tablet accumulating section  3  consists of a half-tablet collecting assembly  47  and a half-tablet storing assembly  48 . 
     The half-tablet collecting assembly  47  is disc-shaped, and is partitioned at circumferentially specified intervals on both inner periphery side and outer periphery side to define a plurality of tablet collecting chambers  49 . At a lower end opening of each tablet collecting chamber  49  there are provided a collected half-tablet detecting sensor  49   a  and a shutter  49   b.  The half-tablet collecting assembly  47  is adapted to rotate at a specified pitch about a rotary shaft  47   a  in a circumferential direction. 
     The half-tablet storing assembly  48  has a configuration similar to that of the half-tablet collecting assembly  47  and has a plurality of tablet storing chambers  50 . A stored half-tablet detecting sensor  50   a  and a shutter  50   b  is provided at a lower end opening of each storing chamber  50 . The half-tablet storing assembly is rotatable at a specified pitch in a circumferential direction. 
     The tablet packing section  4  is operative to pack tablets or half tablets supplied from the tablet supply section  1  or tablet accumulating section  3 , one by one. 
     The controller  5 , as FIG. 1 shows, receives signals from various sensors, such as the retained half-tablet detecting sensor  25   a,  the collected half-tablet detecting sensor  49   a,  and the stored half-tablet detecting sensor  50   a,  and the host computer  51 , and drivingly controls the shutters  17 ,  19   a,    46 ,  49   b,  and  50   b,  the tablet supply section  1 , the tablet cutting section  2 , the tablet accumulating section  3 , and the tablet packing section  4 . 
     Next, operation of the tablet packing apparatus of above described construction will be described with reference to flow charts shown in FIGS. 10 through 19. 
     First, upon input of prescription data from the host computer  51  (step S 1 ), decision is made as to whether or not the prescription data contains half-tablet indication data (indicating a tablet being cut and packed in the form of separate half tablets) (step S 2 ). If any half-tablet indication data is not contained therein, the intermediate shutter  17  is switched to the tablet passage  18   b  side, whereby the tablet from tablet feeder  8  is supplied to the tablet packing section  4  as it is, for ordinary packing process (step S 3 ). 
     Whilst, if the half-tablet indication data is included, the intermediate shutter  17  is pivoted to the tablet passage  18   a  side to cause the tablet discharge path  9  to communicate with the guide hopper  19  of the tablet cutting section  2  (step S 4 ). Then, the quantity n of half tablets to be prescribed is calculated (step S 5 ). Then, on the basis of the calculation, decision is made as to whether or not any surplus of half-tablet will occur (step S 6 ), and a “surplus” flag (F 1 =1) or a “ino surplus” flag (F 1 =0) is set (steps S 7 , S 8 ). For example, if the prescription data contains instruction “dosage for 7 days, 1 half-tablet for each dose, 3 times a day”, necessary quantity of half-tablets is 21 tablets, that is, an odd number, then a “surplus” flag is set accordingly. 
     Then, decision is made as to whether or not corresponding half tablets are stored in the half-tablet storing assembly  48  (step S 9 ), and a “stored” flag (F 2 =1) or a “not stored” flag (F 2 =0) is set (steps S 10 , S 11 ). 
     Then, decision is made as to which flag is ON (steps S 12 , S 13 , S 14 ). In case that the “surplus” flag and the “stored” flag are ON, the number N of tablets to be supplied from the tablet supply section  1  is set to (n−1)/2 (step S 15 ). In case that the “surplus” flag is ON, but the “stored” flag is not ON, the number N of such tablets is set to (n+1)/2 (step S 16 ). In case that the “surplus” flag is not ON, but the “stored” flag is On, the number N of such tablets is set to n/2 (step S 17 ). Where neither of the flags is ON, the number N of such tablets is set to n/2 (step S 18 ). Then, cutting and collecting process is carried out according to the so set number of tablets (step S 19  to step S 22 ). 
     In the cutting and collecting process, according to each respective preset number of tablets, the tablet alignment plate  14  of the tablet feeder  8  at which corresponding tablets are housed is rotated so that tablets are supplied, one by one, from the tablet supply section  1  to the tablet cutting section  2  (step S 23 ) at which cutting process (step S 24 ) to be described hereinafter is carried out. This process is repeated until tablets of such a number as determined in above described manner are totally cut and collected (step S 25 ). 
     When all half tablets resulting from the cutting process as above described have been collected in the half-tablet collecting assembly  47 , the following steps are carried out. 
     In case that two flags are ON (F 1 =1, F 2 =1), that is, in case that there is a surplus of one half-tablet and one half-tablet is stored in the half-tablet storing assembly  48 , the number of collected half tablet in the half-tablet collecting assembly  47  will be one half-tablet short. Therefore, as FIG. 13 shows, half tablets are sequentially supplied from the half-tablet collecting assembly  47  for packing (step S 26 ), and when all of the half tablets have been packed (step S 27 ), one corresponding half tablet is supplied from the half-tablet storing assembly  48  to the tablet packing section  4  for packing (step S 28 ). 
     In case that only the “surplus” flag is ON (F 1 =1, F 2 =0), that is, in case that there is a surplus of one half-tablet but no corresponding half-tablet is stored in the half-tablet storing assembly  48 , the number of collected half tablets in the half-tablet collecting assembly  47  will be one half-tablet surplus. Therefore, as FIG. 14 shows, half tablets are sequentially supplied from the half-tablet collecting assembly  47  and packed (step S 26 ), and when a last half tablet remains as it is (step S 30 ), decision is made as to whether or not storing space is available in the half-tablet storing assembly  48  (step S 31 ). If available, the half tablet is stored in the tablet storage chamber  50  of the half-tablet storing assembly  48  (step S 32 ), and if not available, the half tablet is abandoned (step S 33 ). 
     In case that only the “stored” flag is ON (F 1 =0, F 2 =1), that is, in case that the number of half tablets collected in the half-tablet collecting assembly  47  coincides with the number of packs and one half-tablet is stored in the half-tablet storing assembly  48 , packing is possible only with the one half-tablet collected in the half-tablet collecting assembly  47 . If such packing is made, the old half tablet stored in the half-tablet storing assembly  48  remains as it is. Therefore, as FIG. 15 shows, half tablets are sequentially supplied from the half-tablet collecting assembly  47  and packed (step S 34 ), and at the point of time when a last half tablet remains as it is (step S 35 ), the one half-tablet stored in the half-tablet storing assembly  48  is packed (step S 36 ), and the last remaining half-tablet at the half-tablet collecting assembly  47  is stored in the tablet storing chamber  50  of the half-tablet storing assembly  48  and stored therein (step S 37 ). 
     In case that neither of the flags is ON (F 1 =0, F 2 =0, that is, in case that the number of half tablets collected in the half-tablet collecting assembly  47  coincides with the number of packs and that any corresponding half tablet is not stored in the half tablet storing assembly  48 , packing is possible only with half-tablets collected in the half-tablet collecting assembly  47 . Accordingly, as FIG. 16 shows, all the half tablets stocked in the half-tablet collecting assembly  47  are packed (steps S 38 ,  39 ). 
     It is noted in the above connection that packing is not limited to packing of a half tablet only for one dose, but packing may be made with respect to 1.5 tablets or a combination of the tablet and other kind of tablet. In that case, the intermediate shutter  17  should be switched according to the kind of tablets supplied from the tablet supply section  1 . 
     Next, the cutting process will be explained. As FIG. 17 shows, in the cutting process, cutting process data is first read (step S 41 ). The cutting process data includes kind, quantity, and designation of the tablet supplied from the tablet supply section  1 , and cutting conditions. The cutting conditions are programmed according to the kind of tablet as shown in the following table. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Kind of 
                   
                 Size 
                   
                 Depth 
                 Feed 
                 Feed 
                 Rotational 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Medicine 
                 Shape 
                 t 
                 D1 
                 D2 
                 Hardness 
                 of Cut 
                 Velocity 
                 Range 
                 Speed 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Tablet 
                 A 
                 2.7 
                 7.2 
                   
                 2 
                 1.2 
                 2 
                 8.7 
                 12000 
               
               
                 A 
               
               
                 Tablet 
                 B 
                 4.8 
                 8.4 
                   
                 5 
                 1.8 
                 5 
                 9.9 
                 10000 
               
               
                 B 
               
               
                 Tablet 
                 C 
                 4.1 
                 9.3 
                   
                 1 
                 2.0 
                 1 
                 10.8 
                 15000 
               
               
                 C 
               
               
                 Tablet 
                 B 
                 4.2 
                 9.6 
                   
                 3 
                 2.1 
                 3 
                 11.1 
                 12000 
               
               
                 D 
               
               
                 Tablet 
                 B 
                 3.6 
                 8.2 
                   
                 2 
                 1.8 
                 2 
                 9.7 
                 12000 
               
               
                 E 
               
               
                 Tablet 
                 D 
                 4.5 
                 8.6 
                 5.3 
                 3 
                 2.2 
                 3 
                 10.1 
                 12000 
               
               
                 F 
               
               
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
               
               
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
               
               
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     For example, in case that the thickness of the tablet is large, a depth of cut is large enough to enable easy division of the tablet without involving any subsequent trouble of crushing. In case that the hardness of the tablet is high, the feed velocity is increased. Thus, the cutting conditions are programmed to enable positive and accurate tablet division by subsequent divider roller  23  operation and enable cutting operation to be finished within earliest time period. 
     After reading the cutting process, the belt conveyer  20  is driven to start (step S 42 ). Then, tablet movement is prevented by the plunger  28   c  of the tablet presser portion  26 . If the tablet is detected by the tablet position detecting sensor  27   a  (step S 43 ), movement of the belt conveyer  20  is stopped (step S 44 ). Then, motor  32  is driven to pivotally move the cam  33  and move the presser pieces  28  of the tablet presser portions  26  in opposed directions (step S 45 ). The respective rack gears  29   a  of the drive pieces  29  of the tablet presser portions are in mesh engagement with the gear  30  and the tablet presser portions  26  are connected by the springs  34  to each other. Therefore, the inclined surfaces  28   a  of the presser pieces  28  can always be moved to a predetermined central position. Thus, a tablet can be accurately centrally positioned. Furthermore, in the so positioned condition, the tablet is pressed by the inclined surfaces  28   a  against the belt conveyer  20 , that is, the cutter table  27  and, therefore, will not go out of position. 
     Next, the milling cutter  22  is moved up and down so as to obtain a specified depth of cut according to the cutting conditions corresponding to the kind of tablet (step S 46 ). Then, the motor  37  is driven to rotate the milling cutter  22  (step S 47 ) for movement at a specified feed velocity (step  48 ). At this point of time, the plunger  28   c  of the tablet presser portion  26  is retreated from the inclined surfaces  28   a.  Thereafter, when the milling cutter  22  is moved within a specified feed range (step S 49 ), rotation of the cutter is stopped and the cutter is caused to return to its initial position (step S 50 ). Then, the condition of retention by the tablet presser portion  26  is released (step S 51 ). 
     When the tablet is formed with a cut in this way, decision is made by the stored half-tablet detecting sensor  25   a  as to whether or not cut tablet (half tablet) is on standby in the storage container hopper  25  (step S 52 ). If not on standby, the divider roller  23  is moved to a specified position corresponding to the thickness of the tablet (step S 53 ), belt the conveyer  20  is driven again (step S 54 ) to transport the tablet toward the downstream side. Accordingly, the so transported tablet is held between the divider roller  23  and the split receiver plate  39  (via the belt conveyor  20 ) to divide into halves. Then, the halves are guided to the storage container hopper  25  by the split guide plate  40 . Then, operation of the belt conveyer  20  is once stopped (step S 55 ) for checking through the stored half-tablet detecting sensor  25   a  whether or not a half tablet has been fed into the storage container hopper  25  (step S 56 ). If already fed, operation proceeds to next step, and if not, an anomaly alarm is given, for example, by a buzzer, lamp, or the like (step S 57 ). 
     Then, decision is made as to whether or not half-tablets in the storage container hopper  25  can be collected in tablet collecting assembly  47  (step S 58 ). If a half tablet is already stored in the tablet collecting chamber  49  positioned below the storage container hopper  25 , the tablet collecting assembly  47  is driven (step S 59 ) so that a tablet collecting chamber  49  in which space is available is suitably positioned accordingly. Thus, when a space for receiving tablets is made available, the shutters  46  of the two storage container hoppers  25  are opened to allow the half tablets in the hoppers  25  to drop into the tablet collecting chamber  49  of the half-tablet collecting assembly  47  (step S 60 ). 
     In the foregoing embodiment, a drawer type arrangement is used for the tablet supply section  1 . However, arrangement of other type, such as drum type, may be employed. In effect, any arrangement which can house tablets kind by kind and supply the tablets in a prescribed quantity at a time is acceptable for the purpose of the present invention. 
     Shown in FIG. 20 by way of example is a case in which a drum type arrangement is employed as a tablet supply section  1 . The tablet supply section  1  of this type has tablet feeders  8  arranged in a doughnut pattern which are rotatable in circumferential direction. Between inner periphery side tablet feeders  8  and outer periphery side feeders  8  there are formed tablet discharge paths  9 . 
     In such a drum type arrangement, where one tablet is supplied to a tablet packing section  4  as it is, the tablet is collected by hopper  16  disposed below the tablet supply section  1 . Whilst, where a tablet is cut into halves, half tablets are collected by a guide hopper  19  provided above the hopper  16  separately from the hopper  16  for supply to a tablet cutting section  2 . Therefore, supply of one tablet as it is and supply of one tablet in the form of halves can be separately (simultaneously) carried out, and this provides for good working efficiency. 
     In the foregoing embodiment, surplus half tablets are stored in half-tablet store assembly  48 . However, as FIG. 21 shows, where any surplus is abandoned for deposit in an abandonment box  52 , the half-tablet store assembly  48  is unnecessary. 
     In the foregoing embodiment, tablets are supplied one by one from the tablet housing section  1  to the tablet cutting section  2 . However, a parts feeder  53  as shown in FIG. 22 may be provided. Such parts feeder  53  makes it possible to initially supply a predetermined number of tablets from the tablet housing section  1  to the parts feeder  53  and thereafter supply tablets one by one. In FIG. 22, half-tablets resulting from cutting by the milling cutter  22  and divider roller  23  are collected into a collecting box  54  provided at one location. 
     In the foregoing embodiment, description is made with respect to an apparatus for packing tablets for one dose into one pack. However, tablets may be housed (packed) in a vial. 
     In the foregoing embodiment, the half-tablet collecting assembly  47  and the half-tablet storing assembly  48  of the tablet accumulating section  3  are of disc shape, but other configuration or form, for example, recesses for housing tablets formed in parallel on a linear line maybe acceptable. 
     In the foregoing embodiment, the half-tablet collecting assembly is provided, but it is not necessarily required. In that case, half-tablets produced by cutting at the tablet cutting section  2  may be supplied from the storage container hopper  25  directly to the tablet packing section  4 . 
     Half-tablets may be always stored in the half-tablet store assembly  48  irrespective of the number of half-tablet packs. 
     Although the present invention has been fully described by way of the examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted here that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless such changes and modifications otherwise depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention, they should be construed as being included therein.