Patent Publication Number: US-2022227567-A1

Title: Measuring container, loading tool, and measuring container kit

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a national phase application in the United States of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2020/015819 with an international filing date of Apr. 8, 2020, which claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-081980 filed on Apr. 23, 2019. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a measuring container, a loading tool, and a measuring container kit for dispensing a predetermined number of tablets. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     There has been a high demand for containers and container caps for dispensing a predetermined number of contents in a container, and various containers and caps have been developed. For example, JP 2015-67308 A and JP 2019-43590 A each disclose a quantitative extraction tablet container capable of extracting a predetermined number of tablets contained in the container at a time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
     For example, for pharmaceutical doses, multiple tablets of six or more may need to be taken at a time. However, J P 2015-67308 A only discloses a quantitative extraction container for extracting, for example, three tablets at a time, and JP 2019-43590 A only discloses a quantitative extraction container for extracting, for example, five tablets at a time. It is difficult to change the design of the quantitative extraction containers of JP 2015-67308 A and JP 2019-43590 A to extract a large number of tablets of six or more at a time because the quantitative extraction containers have to be larger. 
     The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and an object thereof is to provide a measuring container for dispensing a predetermined number of tablets. 
     Means for Solving the Problems 
     One aspect of the present invention provides a measuring container for dispensing a predetermined number of tablets. The measuring container includes: a storage container including storage sections each capable of storing the predetermined number of tablets; and a storage section selector attached to the storage container. The storage section selector has a second path which allows the tablets to pass through the second path from one end to an other end. The one end of the second path is connected to an outside thereof, and the other end is selectively connected to one of the storage sections. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a loading tool for loading tablets into the measuring container of the above aspect. The loading tool includes a first path connected to the storage section so that the first path allows a tablet from the outside to pass through the first path to the storage section. The loading tool is detachably attached to the storage container. 
     Still another aspect of the present invention provides a measuring container kit including the measuring container of the above aspect and the loading tool of the above aspect. 
     Effects of the Invention 
     According to the present invention, a measuring container from which a predetermined number of contents of the container can be dispensed out is obtained. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a state where a pocket part and a loading tool according to an embodiment of the present invention are attached to a tablet container. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the pocket part, the loading tool, and the tablet container illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the pocket part according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the loading tool according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a measuring container according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the measuring container of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram for explaining an assembling operation. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram for explaining a tablet loading operation. 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the pocket part, the loading tool, and the tablet container of  FIG. 8  as viewed from below of a paper surface of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the pocket part, the loading tool, and the tablet container of  FIG. 9  as viewed in an X-X direction. 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram for explaining a separating operation. 
         FIG. 12  is another diagram for explaining a separating operation. 
         FIG. 13  is another diagram for explaining a separating operation. 
         FIG. 14  is another diagram for explaining a separating operation. 
         FIG. 15  is another diagram for explaining a separating operation. 
         FIG. 16  is another diagram for explaining a separating operation. 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram for explaining an attaching operation of a hinge cap. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view illustrating a state where the hinge cap is covered from above the pocket part as illustrated in  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a plan view of the measuring container illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 20  is a part of a front view of the measuring container illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the hinge cap  4  of  FIG. 20  as viewed in an XXI-XXI direction. 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of the hinge cap  4  of  FIG. 20  as viewed in an XXII-XXII direction. 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of the measuring container in  FIG. 19  as viewed in an XXIII-XXIII direction. 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view illustrating a state of the measuring container after the hinge cap  4  is rotated clockwise by 90° with respect to the pocket part  2  from a state of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 25  is a plan view of the measuring container illustrated in  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 26  is a part of a front view of the measuring container illustrated in  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view of the hinge cap  4  of  FIG. 26  as viewed in an XXVII-XXVII direction. 
         FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view of the hinge cap  4  of  FIG. 26  as viewed in an XXVIII-XXVIII direction. 
         FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view of the measuring container in  FIG. 25  as viewed in an XXIX-XXIX direction. 
         FIG. 30  is a diagram for describing a use operation. 
         FIG. 31  is another diagram for describing the use operation. 
         FIG. 32  is another diagram for describing the use operation. 
         FIG. 33  is another diagram for describing the use operation. 
         FIG. 34  is another diagram for describing the use operation. 
         FIG. 35  is another diagram for describing the use operation. 
         FIG. 36  is another diagram for describing the use operation. 
         FIG. 37  is a perspective view illustrating an inner cylinder of a pocket part according to modification example 1 of the present embodiment. 
     
    
    
     MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, a measuring container and a loading tool according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A measuring container according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a pocket part and a hinge cap. In each embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. 
     1. STRUCTURE 
     1-1. Overview 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a pocket part  2  and a loading tool  3  according to an embodiment of the present invention are attached to a tablet container  9 .  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the pocket part  2 , the loading tool  3 , and the tablet container  9 . 
     In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a central axis C is illustrated for convenience of description. In the present specification, a direction parallel to the central axis C is referred to as an axial direction, a direction perpendicular to the axial direction is referred to as a radial direction, and a circumferential direction around the central axis C is referred to as a circumferential direction. In the axial direction, a direction upward in the plane of the drawing is defined as a positive direction. The positive direction in the axial direction is also referred to as an upward direction, and a negative direction in the axial direction is also referred to as a downward direction. 
     The loading tool  3  is detachably attached to the tablet container  9  by a screw. The pocket part  2  is fitted and attached to the loading tool  3 . The pocket part  2  is an example of a “storage container” of the present disclosure. For example, tablets are stored in the tablet container  9 . A tablet is an example of a “content” of the present disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , when the pocket part  2 , the loading tool  3 , and the tablet container  9  are inverted in an assembled state, the tablets in the tablet container  9  are loaded into the pocket part  2 . 
     1-2. Pocket Part 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the pocket part  2 . The pocket part  2  includes an outer cylinder  200  and an inner cylinder  210 . 
     The outer cylinder  200  includes a cylindrical peripheral wall  201  centered on the central axis C and partition ribs  202  each protruding radially inward from a radially inner surface of the peripheral wall  201 . The partition ribs  202  extend in the axial direction over substantially an entire length of the outer cylinder  200 . In the illustrated example, the outer cylinder  200  includes 14 partition ribs  202 . The peripheral wall  201  may be formed of a transparent material to confirm the number of tablets. 
     The inner cylinder  210  includes a cylindrical peripheral wall  211  centered on the central axis C. A radially inner side of the peripheral wall  211  is hollow. On a surface of the radially outer side of the peripheral wall  211 , 14 grooves  212  extending in the axial direction are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. When the inner cylinder  210  and the outer cylinder  200  are assembled, the partition ribs  202  of the outer cylinder  200  slide in the grooves  212  of the inner cylinder  210  in the axial direction. The partition rib  202  of the outer cylinder  200  and the groove  212  of the inner cylinder  210  engage with each other, so that the outer cylinder  200  does not rotate in the circumferential direction with respect to the inner cylinder  210 . 
     The partition ribs  202  adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction form pockets  203  that can store tablets between the partition ribs in the circumferential direction. Each of the pockets  203  has a dimension to store just 16 tablets arranged in a row in the axial direction. For example, an axial length of the pocket  203  is approximately equal to a tablet diameter multiplied by 16. 
     The inner cylinder  210  has a top plate portion  220  having a disk-shape at a lower end. The top plate portion  220  is an upper end of the inner cylinder  210  at the time of use described later. An opening  213  is formed in the top plate portion  220 . A joint part  410  of a hinge cap  4  to be described later is inserted into the opening  213 , and the opening  213  is used to fix the hinge cap  4 . 
     A groove portion  214  extending in the axial direction is formed in a vicinity of a lower end of the inner cylinder  210 . In the illustrated example, two groove portions  214  are formed. The two groove portions  214  are disposed at positions facing each other across the central axis C. A guide projection  305  of a main body  300  of the loading tool  3  is inserted into each of the groove portions  214  from the axial direction in an assembly operation described later. As described above, the groove portion  214  is used for fixing the main body  300  of the loading tool  3 . 
     On a surface near the lower end of the inner cylinder  210 , a tablet number mark  219  indicating the number of tablets stored in one pocket  203  may be displayed. As a result, an operator or a user can easily know the number of tablets stored in one pocket  203 , that is, without actually counting the number of tablets stored in the pocket  203 . 
     The pocket part  2  may include a lid  230  for closing the opening at the upper end of the inner cylinder  210 . 
     1-3. Loading Tool 
     Next, the loading tool  3  will be described with reference to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the loading tool  3 . The loading tool  3  includes the main body  300 , an opening/closing part  310 , and a lid  320 . 
     The main body  300  includes a cylindrical outer peripheral wall  301  centered on the central axis C and an inner peripheral wall  302  centered on the central axis C and having a radius smaller than that of the outer peripheral wall  301 . Between the outer peripheral wall  301  and the inner peripheral wall  302 , 14 partitions  303  extending in the radial direction are formed. The outer peripheral wall  301 , the inner peripheral wall  302 , and two partitions  303  adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction integrally form a path  304 . Thus, the main body  300  has 14 paths  304 . 
     Each of the paths  304  is designed to be dimensioned for only one tablet to pass through. That is, a difference between a radius of a radially inner surface of the outer peripheral wall  301  and a radius of a radially outer surface of the inner peripheral wall  302 , and a circumferential distance between the two partitions  303  adjacent to each other, are designed so that only one tablet can pass through the path  304  (that is, no two tablets can pass through at the same time). 
     The lid  320  is fitted to a lower end of the inner peripheral wall  302  of the main body  300 . As a result, the paths for tablets from the tablet container  9  below the loading tool  3  to an inside of the inner peripheral wall  302  of the loading tool  3  are blocked. A tablet from the tablet container  9  passes between the outer peripheral wall  301  and the inner peripheral wall  302  without passing through a hollow portion of the main body  300  located radially inward from the inner peripheral wall  302 . 
     The guide projection  305  extending from a radially inner surface of the inner peripheral wall  302  toward the central axis C is formed at an upper end of the inner peripheral wall  302  of the main body  300 . In the illustrated example, two guide projections  305  are formed. The two guide projections  305  are disposed at positions facing each other across the central axis C. The guide projections  305  of the main body  300  are fitted into guide groove portions  314  of the opening/closing part  310  described later. 
     The opening/closing part  310  has a function of switching between a closed state of the loading tool  3 , where all the paths  304  are blocked to prevent a movement of the tablets in the axial direction via the paths  304 , and an open state where all the paths  304  are released to enable the movement of the tablets in the axial direction via the paths  304 . 
     The opening/closing part  310  includes a disk-shaped top plate portion  311  centered on the central axis C. The top plate portion  311  is provided with a circular opening  312  centered on the central axis C. The opening/closing part  310  further includes a peripheral wall  313  extending downward from a peripheral edge of the opening  312  of the top plate portion  311 . The peripheral wall  313  has a cylindrical shape centered on the central axis C. 
     A distance (radius) from the central axis C to a radially outer surface of the peripheral wall  313  of the opening/closing part  310  is smaller than a distance (radius) from the central axis C to the radially inner surface of the inner peripheral wall  302  of the main body  300 . Therefore, when the opening/closing part  310  is placed on the main body  300 , the peripheral wall  313  of the opening/closing part  310  is inserted into the inner peripheral wall  302  of the main body  300 . In order to insert the peripheral wall  313  of the opening/closing part  310  into the inner peripheral wall  302  of the main body  300  without a gap, the distance (radius) from the central axis C to the radially outer surface of the peripheral wall  313  of the opening/closing part  310  may be substantially the same as the distance (radius) from the central axis C to the radially inner surface of the inner peripheral wall  302  of the main body  300 . 
     A guide groove portion  314  is formed in the peripheral wall  313  of the opening/closing part  310 . The guide groove portion  314  is a slit extending in the axial direction. In the illustrated example, two guide groove portions  314  are formed. The two guide groove portions  314  are disposed at positions facing each other across the central axis C. When the opening/closing part  310  is placed on the main body  300  and assembled, each of the guide projections  305  of the main body  300  is fitted into each of the guide groove portions  314  of the opening/closing part  310 . That is, only when each of the guide groove portions  314  of the opening/closing part  310  and each of the guide projections  305  of the main body  300  are at predetermined relative positions in the circumferential direction, the guide projection  305  of the main body  300  can be fitted into the guide groove portion  314  of the opening/closing part  310 . As described above, the guide groove portion  314  of the opening/closing part  310  and the guide projection  305  of the main body  300  have a positioning function of determining a relative position between the opening/closing part  310  and the main body  300 . 
     Cutout portions  315  each extending in the circumferential direction is formed at an upper end of the guide groove portion  314  of the opening/closing part  310 . Thus, after being assembled, the opening/closing part  310  can rotate about the central axis C by a predetermined angle with respect to the main body  300 . A state of the loading tool  3  before rotation corresponds to the above-described open state, and a state after rotation corresponds to the closed state. In this manner, the opening/closing part  310  can switch between the open state before rotation and the closed state after rotation with respect to the main body  300 . 
     In the top plate portion  311  of the opening/closing part  310 , paths  316  are formed. The paths  316  are 14 openings arranged in the circumferential direction. A radially extending portion between the paths  316  adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction is referred to as a stopper  317 . The opening/closing part  310  includes 14 stoppers  317 . Each of the paths  316  is designed to be dimensioned for only one tablet to pass through. 
     In the open state of the loading tool  3 , the path  316  of the opening/closing part  310  overlaps the path  304  of the main body  300  in the axial direction. Therefore, in the open state of the loading tool  3 , a tablet can move in the axial direction through a path  316  of the opening/closing part  310  and a path  304  of the main body  300 . 
     In the closed state of the loading tool  3 , each stopper  317  of the opening/closing part  310  closes the corresponding path  304  of the main body  300 . As a result, all of the paths  304  of the main body  300  are blocked, and the tablets cannot move in the axial direction through the paths  304  of the main body  300 . 
     1-4. Hinge Cap 
     As described above, when the pocket part  2 , the loading tool  3 , and the tablet container  9  are inverted in the assembled state as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the tablets in the tablet container  9  are loaded into the pocket part  2 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the measuring container  1  according to the present embodiment. The measuring container  1  includes a pocket part  2  and a hinge cap  4  attached to the pocket part  2  to cover the pocket part  2 . In  FIG. 5 , the hinge cap  4  is closed.  FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the measuring container  1  of  FIG. 5 . In  FIG. 6 , the hinge cap  4  is open. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the hinge cap  4  includes a main body  400  and a joint part  410  for coupling the main body  400  to the pocket part  2 . An opening  401  is formed in the main body  400 . The joint part  410  is inserted into both the opening  401  and an opening  213  of the pocket part  2 , and couples the main body  400  of the hinge cap  4  and the pocket part  2  so as not to be separated in the axial direction. As described later, the main body  400  of the hinge cap  4  is coupled to the pocket part  2  so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction about the central axis C. 
     A path  402  for tablets, which is an opening, is formed in the main body  400  of the hinge cap  4 . The path  402  is designed to be dimensioned to allow tablets to pass therethrough. A tablet loaded in each pocket  203  of the pocket part  2  can exit via the path  402  to an outside when the path  402  is properly aligned with the pocket  203 . A mark  406  indicating a position of the path  402  is formed on a surface of the main body  400  on a radially outer side of the path  402 . In the illustrated example, the mark  406  has an inverted triangular shape with a vertex facing downward. The mark  406  allows the user to know a position of the path  402 . The path  402  is closed by closing a cap portion  409 . 
     The hinge cap  4  is an example of the “storage section selector” of the present disclosure. 
     A cylindrical cavity  405  is formed in an upper portion of the opening  401 . A radially inner wall surface of the main body  400  is an edge of the cavity  405 . On the radially inner wall surface of the main body  400 ,  14  protrusions  403  protruding radially inward from the inner wall surface are formed. A region between the protrusions  403  adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction is referred to as a groove  404 . The groove  404  is a groove extending in the axial direction. 
     The joint part  410  is formed with a claw  412  protruding radially outward. The joint part  410  has two claws  412  at positions facing each other with the central axis C interposed therebetween. Each of the claws  412  protrudes radially outward from the joint part  410  and then bends counterclockwise. The claw  412  thus has a circumferentially-oriented end  413 . 
     When the main body  400  of the hinge cap  4  and the joint part  410  are assembled, a tip of the claw  412  of the joint part  410  is fitted into the groove  404  of the main body  400 . The groove  404  of the main body  400  and the claw  412  of the joint part  410  constitute a ratchet mechanism, and the main body  400  can rotate counterclockwise with respect to the joint part  410 , but cannot rotate clockwise. 
     2. OPERATION 
     An operation of the pocket part  2  and the loading tool  3  assembled as described above will be described with reference to  FIGS. 7 to 36 . 
     2-1. Assembling Operation 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the operator further puts the pocket part  2  on the loading tool  3  attached to the tablet container  9 . The operator is a person who loads tablets into the pocket part  2  to prepare for use, and is, for example, a medical worker such as a doctor or a pharmacist. When the pocket part  2  is put on the loading tool  3 , the guide projection  305  of the main body  300  of the loading tool  3  is inserted into the groove portion  214  of the inner cylinder  210  of the pocket part  2  from the axial direction. 
     Thereafter, the operator rotates the pocket part  2  clockwise with respect to the loading tool  3 . When the pocket part  2  rotates clockwise with respect to the loading tool  3 , the guide projection  305  of the loading tool  3  comes into contact with a wall surface  215  at a circumferential end of the groove portion  214  of the pocket part  2 . The pocket part  2  does not rotate further clockwise with respect to the loading tool  3 . This state corresponds to the above-described open state. In the open state, the tablet container  9  and the loading tool  3  are assembled as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In the open state, the paths  304  of the main body  300  of the loading tool  3 , the paths  316  of the opening/closing part  310  of the loading tool  3 , and the pockets  203  of the pocket part  2  are aligned in straight lines. Accordingly, the tablets can move from the tablet container  9  to the pockets  203  of the pocket part  2 . 
     In the open state, underneath the guide projection  305  of the loading tool  3 , there is a protrusion  216  of the groove portion  214  of the pocket part  2  protruding radially outward. Therefore, there is a resistance to rotate the pocket part  2  counterclockwise, and the top plate portion  220  of the pocket part  2  obstructs the guide projection  305  of the loading tool  3 , so that the pocket part  2  cannot move axially upward with respect to the loading tool  3 . Therefore, in the open state, unless a force of a predetermined magnitude for rotating the pocket part  2  counterclockwise is applied, the pocket part  2  is not separated from the loading tool  3 . 
     2-2. Tablet Loading Operation 
     When the pocket part  2 , the loading tool  3 , and the tablet container  9  as illustrated in  FIG. 1  are inverted in the open state, the tablets in the tablet container  9  are loaded into the pocket part  2 .  FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating the pocket part  2 , the loading tool  3 , and the tablet container  9  in the inverted state (and open state).  FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the pocket part  2 , the loading tool  3 , and the tablet container  9  of  FIG. 8  as viewed from below on a paper surface of  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the pocket part  2 , the loading tool  3 , and the tablet container  9  in  FIG. 9  as viewed in an X-X direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , tablets T each in a columnar shape are loaded in the pocket part  2  such that a thickness direction thereof is perpendicular to the central axis C. The dimensions of the pockets  203  ( FIG. 3 ) of the pocket part  2 , the paths  316  of the opening/closing part  310  of the loading tool  3 , and the paths  304  ( FIG. 4 ) of the main body  300  of the loading tool  3  are designed so that the tablets T cannot pass unless the thickness direction of each of the tablets T is perpendicular to the central axis C. When the tablets T are loaded into the pocket part  2 , the lid  320  of the loading tool  3  has a function of adjusting an orientation of each of the tablets T such that the thickness direction of the tablet is perpendicular to the central axis C. 
     In order to load the tablets T into the pocket part  2 , the operator may lightly shake the pocket part  2 , the loading tool  3 , and the tablet container  9  in the inverted state. 
     2-3. Separation Operation 
     After loading the tablets T into the pocket part  2 , the operator separates the loading tool  3  attached to the tablet container  9  from the pocket part  2 . At this time, the operator rotates the loading tool  3  counterclockwise with respect to the pocket part  2 . As a result, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the guide projection  305  of the main body  300  of the loading tool  3  and the groove portion  214  of the pocket part  2  are aligned in the axial direction, and the loading tool  3  can be separated from the pocket part  2 . 
     At the time of separation, the stoppers  317  of the opening/closing part  310  of the loading tool  3  close the paths  304  of the main body  300 , and the loading tool  3  is in a closed state. Hereinafter, a mechanism where the loading tool  3  is closed by rotating the loading tool  3  counterclockwise with respect to the pocket part  2  will be described. 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of a periphery of a coupling portion between the loading tool  3  and the pocket part  2  in the open state.  FIG. 12( a )  is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the coupling portion between the loading tool  3  and the pocket part  2  as viewed in the W-W direction of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 12( b )  is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the coupling portion between the loading tool  3  and the pocket part  2  as viewed in the Z-Z direction of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 12( c )  is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the coupling portion between the loading tool  3  and the pocket part  2  as viewed in the Y-Y direction of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 12( d )  is a cross-sectional view of the pocket part  2  and the loading tool  3  in  FIG. 10  as viewed in an XII-XII direction. 
     In the open state illustrated in  FIG. 12 , each path  304  of the main body  300  of the loading tool  3 , each path  316  of the opening/closing part  310  of the loading tool  3 , and each pocket  203  of the pocket part  2  are aligned in a straight line. In order to prevent the stoppers  317  from hindering the passage of the tablets T due to a shift in the circumferential position of the opening/closing part  310  of the loading tool  3 , a mechanism for engaging and fixing the opening/closing part  310  of the loading tool  3  and the main body  300  in the open state is provided. That is, as illustrated in  FIG. 12( d ) , a first recess  302   a  recessed radially outward is formed on a radially inner surface of the inner peripheral wall  302  of the main body  300  of the loading tool  3 , and a projection  318  protruding radially outward is formed on a radially outer surface of the peripheral wall  313  of the opening/closing part  310  so as to engage with the first recess  302   a  in the open state. When the first recess  302   a  and the projection  318  are engaged with each other, the paths  304  of the main body  300  of the loading tool  3  and the paths  316  of the opening/closing part  310  of the loading tool  3  are aligned in straight lines in the axial direction, and the stoppers  317  of the opening/closing part  310  of the loading tool  3  do not prevent the passage of the tablets T. 
     In the open state, as illustrated in  FIG. 12( b ) , the guide projection  305  of the main body  300  of the loading tool  3  is in contact with the wall surface  215  at the circumferential end of the groove portion  214  of the inner cylinder  210  of the pocket part  2 . 
       FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the loading tool  3  is rotated counterclockwise by 0.01 π [rad] with respect to the pocket part  2  from the open state illustrated in  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 13( a )  is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the coupling portion between the loading tool  3  and the pocket part  2  as viewed in the W-W direction of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 13( b )  is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the coupling portion between the loading tool  3  and the pocket part  2  as viewed in the Z-Z direction of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 13( c )  is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the coupling portion between the loading tool  3  and the pocket part  2  as viewed in the Y-Y direction of  FIG. 9 . 
     In  FIG. 13( a ) , the stoppers  317  of the opening/closing part  310  of the loading tool  3  are in contact with the tablets T at the lowermost ends of the paths  304  of the main body  300  of the loading tool  3 . In  FIG. 13( b ) , as compared with  FIG. 12( b ) , the guide projection  305  of the main body  300  of the loading tool  3  is separated from the wall surface  215  at the circumferential end of the groove portion  214  of the inner cylinder  210  of the pocket part  2  and moved counterclockwise (rightward in the plane of the figure) with respect to the pocket part  2 . 
       FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the loading tool  3  is rotated counterclockwise by 0.02 π [rad] with respect to the pocket part  2  from the open state illustrated in  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 14( a )  is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the coupling portion between the loading tool  3  and the pocket part  2  as viewed in the W-W direction of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 14( b )  is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the coupling portion between the loading tool  3  and the pocket part  2  as viewed in the Z-Z direction of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 14( c )  is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the coupling portion between the loading tool  3  and the pocket part  2  as viewed in the Y-Y direction of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 14( d )  is a cross-sectional view of the pocket part  2  and the loading tool  3  as viewed in the same direction as in  FIG. 12( d ) . 
     In this state, as illustrated in  FIG. 14( d ) , the projection  318  of the opening/closing part  310  of the loading tool  3  engages with a second recess  302   b  formed adjacent to the first recess  302   a  in the circumferential direction. As a result, each of the stoppers  317  of the opening/closing part  310  closes each corresponding path  304  of the main body  300 , and prevents the tablets T from moving (falling) in the axial direction through the paths  304  of the main body  300 . By rotating the loading tool  3  counterclockwise with respect to the pocket part  2  in this manner, the loading tool  3  is closed. 
       FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the loading tool  3  is rotated counterclockwise by 0.16 π [rad] with respect to the pocket part  2  from the open state illustrated in  FIG. 12 . The state of  FIG. 15  corresponds to the above-described closed state.  FIG. 15( a )  is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the coupling portion between the loading tool  3  and the pocket part  2  as viewed in the W-W direction of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 15( b )  is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the coupling portion between the loading tool  3  and the pocket part  2  as viewed in the Z-Z direction of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 15( c )  is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the coupling portion between the loading tool  3  and the pocket part  2  as viewed in the Y-Y direction of  FIG. 9 . 
     In this state, as illustrated in  FIG. 15( b ) , the guide projection  305  of the main body  300  of the loading tool  3  is in contact with a wall surface  217  facing the wall surface  215  of the inner cylinder  210  of the pocket part  2  in the circumferential direction. Since there is no protrusion  216  in the groove portion  214  of the pocket part  2  at an upper portion of the guide projection  305  of the main body  300  of the loading tool  3 , the pocket part  2  can move axially upward with respect to the loading tool  3  as illustrated in  FIG. 16 . In this way, the loading tool  3  can be separated from the pocket part  2  without dropping the tablets T through the paths  304  of the main body  300  of the loading tool  3 . 
     2-4. Attachment Operation of Hinge Cap 
     After the loading tool  3  is separated from the pocket part  2 , the hinge cap  4  is attached to the pocket part  2  as illustrated in  FIG. 17 . The operator places the hinge cap  4  from above the pocket part  2 . At this time, a lower end of the joint part  410  of the hinge cap  4  is inserted into the opening  213  of the pocket part  2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 17 , a fixing rib  218  protruding downward is formed on a back surface of the top plate portion  220  of the pocket part  2 . The fixing rib  218  extends from a radially inner surface of the peripheral wall  211 . The fixing rib  218  cooperates with a fixture  411  of the joint part  410  of the hinge cap  4  to fix the hinge cap  4  so that the hinge cap  4  does not rotate counterclockwise with respect to the pocket part  2  after the hinge cap  4  is attached to the pocket part  2 , as described later. 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view illustrating a state where the hinge cap  4  is placed from above the pocket part  2  as illustrated in  FIG. 17 .  FIG. 19  is a plan view of the measuring container  1  illustrated in  FIG. 18 .  FIG. 20  is a part of a front view of the measuring container  1  illustrated in  FIG. 18 .  FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the hinge cap  4  of  FIG. 20  as viewed in an XXI-XXI direction.  FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of the hinge cap  4  of  FIG. 20  as viewed in an XXII-XXII direction.  FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of the measuring container  1  in  FIG. 19  as viewed in an XXIII-XXIII direction. 
     After covering the pocket part  2  with the hinge cap  4  from above, the operator rotates the hinge cap  4  clockwise by 90° with respect to the pocket part  2 .  FIG. 24  is a perspective view illustrating a state of the measuring container  1  after the hinge cap  4  is rotated clockwise by 90° with respect to the pocket part  2  from a state of  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 25  is a plan view of the measuring container  1  illustrated in  FIG. 24 .  FIG. 26  is a part of a front view of the measuring container  1  illustrated in  FIG. 24 .  FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view of the hinge cap  4  of  FIG. 26  as viewed in an XXVII-XXVII direction.  FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view of the hinge cap  4  of  FIG. 26  as viewed in an XXVIII-XXVIII direction.  FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view of the measuring container  1  in  FIG. 25  as viewed in an XXIX-XXIX direction. 
     As can be seen with reference to  FIG. 27 , when the operator applies a force to the main body  400  of the hinge cap  4  to rotate the hinge cap  4  clockwise, a circumferential end of each protrusion  403  of the main body  400  pushes an end  413  of each claw  412  of the joint part  410 . Thus, the clockwise force is also transmitted to the joint part  410 , and the joint part  410  also rotates with the main body  400 . 
     Comparing  FIG. 23  with  FIG. 29 , the fixture  411  of the joint part  410  of the hinge cap  4  rotates clockwise, and moves leftward when looking into the paper surface of  FIG. 23  and  FIG. 29 . In  FIG. 29 , the fixture  411  of the joint part  410  of the hinge cap  4  climbs over the fixing rib  218  of the pocket part  2  (see also  FIG. 28 ). Therefore, even if the main body  400  of the hinge cap  4  is subsequently rotated counterclockwise with respect to the pocket part  2 , the joint part  410  does not rotate counterclockwise with respect to the pocket part  2  because the fixture  411  of the joint part  410  of the hinge cap  4  and the fixing rib  218  of the pocket part  2  are in contact with each other. 
     2-5. Use Operation 
     The measuring container  1  illustrated in  FIGS. 24 to 29  is handed over from an operator such as a doctor or a pharmacist to a user such as a consumer or a patient, and is used by the user. 
     In the measuring container  1  illustrated in  FIGS. 24 to 29 , when a counterclockwise force is applied to the main body  400  of the hinge cap  4  with respect to the pocket part  2 , the main body  400  rotates counterclockwise. On the other hand, since the joint part  410  is fixed to the pocket part  2 , the joint part  410  does not rotate. In this manner, the joint part  410  does not rotate with respect to the pocket part  2 , and only the main body  400  rotates counterclockwise. 
     When each claw  412  of the joint part  410  of the hinge cap  4  is engaged into one of the grooves  404  of the main body  400  as illustrated in  FIG. 27 , the path  402  and one of the pockets  203  of the pocket part  2  are aligned in a straight line. Therefore, the tablets T stored in the pocket part  2  can exit to the outside via the path  402 . 
     When the main body  400  of the hinge cap  4  is rotated counterclockwise with respect to the pocket part  2 , a click feeling can be obtained and/or a click sound can be heard when the claws  412  of the joint part  410  climb over the protrusions  403  of the main body  400  and are engaged into the grooves  404 . This is because each of the claws  412  of the joint part  410  functions as a leaf spring. Thus, the user can easily align the claw  412  of the joint part  410  of the hinge cap  4  with the groove  404  of the main body  400 . 
     After aligning and engaging the claws  412  of the joint part  410  of the hinge cap  4  with the grooves  404  of the main body  400 , the user opens the cap portion  409  of the hinge cap  4  and then inverts the measuring container  1  to take out the tablets T from one of the pockets  203  of the pocket part  2 , as illustrated in  FIG. 30 . 
     After dispensing the tablets T, the user closes the cap portion  409  of the hinge cap  4 , rotates the main body  400  of the hinge cap  4  counterclockwise with respect to the pocket part  2 , and moves the mark  406  displayed on the main body  400  of the hinge cap  4  to an upper portion of a next pocket  203  of the pocket part  2 . 
       FIG. 31  is a perspective view illustrating the measuring container  1  in a state where the mark  406  is moved to the upper portion of the next pocket  203  of the pocket part  2  in this manner.  FIG. 32  is a plan view of the measuring container  1  illustrated in  FIG. 31 .  FIG. 33  is a part of a front view of the measuring container  1  illustrated in  FIG. 32 .  FIG. 34  is a cross-sectional view of the hinge cap  4  of  FIG. 33  as viewed in an XXXIV-XXXIV direction.  FIG. 35  is a cross-sectional view of the hinge cap  4  of  FIG. 33  as viewed in an XXXV-XXXV direction.  FIG. 36  is a cross-sectional view of the measuring container  1  of  FIG. 32  as viewed in the XXXVI-XXXVI direction. 
     As compared with  FIGS. 25 to 29 , in the state illustrated in  FIGS. 32 to 36 , the main body  400  of the hinge cap  4  rotates counterclockwise, and referring particularly to  FIGS. 34 and 35 , it can be seen that the path  402  of the main body  400  moves. On the other hand, as can be seen with reference to  FIGS. 31 and 34 to 36 , the joint part  410  of the hinge cap  4  and the pocket part  2  are not rotated. 
     3. EFFECTS AND THE LIKE 
     As described above, the measuring container  1  according to the present embodiment includes the pocket part  2  including the 14 pockets  203  each capable of storing 16 tablets, and the hinge cap  4  attached to the pocket part  2 . The hinge cap  4  includes a second path  402 . The tablets can pass through the second path  402  from one end to the outside. One end of the second path  402  of the hinge cap  4  is connected to the outside, and the other end is selectively connected to one of storage sections  203 . 
     For example, pockets  203  of the pocket part  2  are arranged in the circumferential direction around the central axis C. Each of the pockets  203  has a dimension for 16 tablets arranged in a row in the axial direction to be accommodated. 
     With the measuring container  1  having such a configuration, the user can take out a predetermined number of tablets, for example, 16 tablets at a time. When the measuring container  1  is inverted, the 16 tablets come out from the second path  402  of the hinge cap  4 , so that it is not necessary for the user to count the tablets. The pocket part  2  has 14 pockets  203 . Thus, the pocket part  2  can store  14  doses of tablets without additional tablet loading. For example, the pocket part  2  can store tablets corresponding to doses when taking tablets twice a day, in the morning and at night, continuously for one week. 
     The loading tool  3  is used for loading tablets into the measuring container  1 . The loading tool  3  includes first paths  304  to be connected to the pockets  203  of the pocket part  2  so that the tablets from the outside can pass therethrough. The loading tool  3  is detachably attached to the storage container  2 . 
     The loading tool  3  may further include an opening/closing part  310  that switches between an open state allowing a tablet from the outside to pass through the first paths  304  and a closed state not allowing a tablet from the outside to pass through the first paths  304 . For example, the opening/closing part  310  is closed by an operation of detaching the loading tool  3  from the pocket part  2 . 
     With such a configuration, the loading tool  3  can be separated from the pocket part  2  without dropping the tablets T through the paths  304  of the main body  300  of the loading tool  3 . 
     The loading tool  3  may be detachably attached to the tablet container  9 . In this case, the pockets  203  of the pocket part  2  are connected to an inside of the tablet container  9  via the first paths  304  of the loading tool  3 . 
     With such a configuration, the operator such as a doctor or a pharmacist can load tablets into the pockets  203  of the pocket part  2  by a simple operation. For example, the operator can load the tablets T inside the tablet container  9  into the pockets  203  of the pocket part  2  by only assembling the pocket part  2 , the loading tool  3 , and the tablet container  9  and then inverting them. As a result, it is possible to reduce time and effort of the operator for sorting a large number of tablets for each dose. 
     The first paths  304  of the loading tool  3  have the same number of openings as the plurality of pockets  203  arranged in the circumferential direction around the central axis C, and axially overlaps the pockets  203  when attached to the pocket part  2 . The opening/closing part  310  of the loading tool  3  may have a same number of third paths  316  as the plurality of pockets  203  arranged in the circumferential direction around the central axis C, and stoppers  317  between the third paths  316  adjacent in the circumferential direction. For example, the opening/closing part  310  of the loading tool  3  rotates about the central axis C by the operation of detaching the loading tool  3  from the pocket part  2 , and closes the first paths  304  by arranging the stoppers  317  adjacent to the first paths  304  in the axial direction. 
     The measuring container  1  (the pocket part  2  and the hinge cap  4 ) and the loading tool  3  according to the present embodiment are sold as, for example, a measuring container kit. The operator such as a doctor or a pharmacist purchases the measuring container kit and loads tablets T into the pocket part  2  using the loading tool  3 . Next, the operator removes the loading tool  3  from the pocket part  2 , attaches the hinge cap  4  to the pocket part  2 , and hands it over to a user such as a patient. 
     4. MODIFICATIONS 
     The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the above description is an example of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention can be improved and modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     4-1. Modification 1 
     In the above embodiment, the pocket part  2  storing 16 tablets in each pocket  203  (see  FIG. 3 ) has been described. However, the number of tablets stored in each pocket  203  is not limited to this, and may be one or more.  FIG. 37  is a perspective view illustrating an inner cylinder  250  of the pocket part  2  designed to store two tablets in each pocket  203  (see  FIG. 3 ). The inner cylinder  250  has bottom surfaces  251 . Each of the bottom surfaces  251  is raised as compared with those of the inner cylinder  210  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The distance between the top of a pocket  203  and a bottom surface  251  is, for example, approximately equal to a diameter of the tablet multiplied by two. 
     On a surface near the upper end of the inner cylinder  250 , a tablet number mark  252  indicating “2”, that is, the number of tablets stored in one pocket  203 , is displayed. 
     In this way, if inner cylinders corresponding to various numbers of tablets to be stored in the pocket  203  are prepared, for example, the number of doses according to each patient can be supported only by connecting a new inner cylinder corresponding to a different number of tablets to the outer cylinder. 
     4-2. Modification 2 
     In the above embodiment, the loading tool  3  detachably attached to the tablet container  9  has been described. However, the loading tool  3  is not limited to one detachably attached to the tablet container  9 . For example, the operator may fill the pocket part  2  with the tablets by pouring the tablets into the loading tool  3 .