U.S. patent application number 12/741197 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-23 for partition plate for use in v-measure of medicine packing device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Yuyama Mfg. Co. Ltd.. Invention is credited to Tsuyoshi Kodama, Itsuo Yasunaga.
Application Number | 20100237092 12/741197 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39608116 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100237092 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yasunaga; Itsuo ; et
al. |
September 23, 2010 |
Partition Plate For Use In V-Measure Of Medicine Packing Device
Abstract
There is provided a partition plate for use in a V-shaped
measure of a medicine packing device, which allows a medicine
remaining in the V-shaped measure to be easily cleaned and is
smoothly reciprocated in the V-shaped measure. The partition plate
7 comprises: a slide member 8 including a guide receiving portion
11 and being attached so as to be reciprocated along a side plate
4; and a partition member 9 including a guide portion 18 removably
guided by the guide receiving portion 11 of the slide member 8, the
partition member being reciprocated in the V-shaped measure 1 while
being maintained parallel to end plates 5. A grasping portion 8a
for grasping the partition plate 7 is integrally provided in the
slide member 8. Grasping the grasping portion 8a and moving the
partition plate 7 prevent the partition plate 7 from flexing and
smoothly moves the partition plate 7 in the V-shaped measure.
Inventors: |
Yasunaga; Itsuo; (Osaka,
JP) ; Kodama; Tsuyoshi; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JONES DAY
222 EAST 41ST ST
NEW YORK
NY
10017
US
|
Assignee: |
Yuyama Mfg. Co. Ltd.,
Toyonaka-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
39608116 |
Appl. No.: |
12/741197 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
October 30, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2008/069730 |
371 Date: |
May 3, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
221/246 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 37/02 20130101;
B65B 39/002 20130101; B65B 1/30 20130101; B65B 59/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/246 |
International
Class: |
B65B 1/30 20060101
B65B001/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 2, 2007 |
JP |
2007-285935 |
Claims
1. A partition plate for use in a V-shaped measure of a medicine
packing device, the partition plate being disposed in a V-shaped
measure, wherein end plates are fixed to both ends of a side plate
and an opening and closing plate pivots between an opened position
and a closed position so that a lower edge thereof can be brought
into contact with and spaced apart from the side plate, the
partition plate being reciprocated in a length direction of the
side plate while being maintained parallel to the end plates by an
operator to thereby adjust a division number of a medicine received
in the V-shaped measure, the partition plate comprising: a slide
member attached so as to be reciprocated in the length direction of
the side plate, the slide member including a guide receiving
portion; and a partition member including a guide portion removably
guided by the guide receiving portion of the slide member, the
partition member being reciprocated together with the slide member
while being maintained parallel to the end plates, wherein a
grasping portion for grasping the partition plate is integrally
provided in the slide member.
2. The partition plate of claim 1, wherein the guide receiving
portion of the slide member includes a pair of guide receiving
plates provided at a predetermined interval and the guide portion
of the partition member is slidably disposed between the guide
receiving plates, wherein the grasping portion extends from an end
edge of one or both of the pair of guide receiving plates to cover
all or a portion of the partition member.
3. The partition plate of claim 1, wherein the grasping portion is
formed along a position where a hand of an operator is placed on
the partition plate when the operator handles the partition
plate.
4. The partition plate of claim 1, wherein the grasping portion is
formed along a position where fingers except for a thumb in any one
of left and right hands of an operator are placed.
5. The partition plate of claim 1, wherein the partition member
contacts the grasping portion in a section opposite to the grasping
portion.
6. The partition plate of claim 1, wherein the partition member
includes an auxiliary member pivotably attached to the partition
member, the auxiliary member pivoting according to pivoting of the
opening and closing plate to maintain an abutment state with
respect to the opening and closing plate, wherein the auxiliary
member includes a protruding portion, the protruding portion
abutting an edge of the partition plate within a range not to
obstruct the abutment state with respect to the opening and closing
plate to thereby restrict a pivotal movement of the auxiliary
member.
7. The partition plate of claim 2, wherein the grasping portion is
formed along a position where a hand of an operator is placed on
the partition plate when the operator handles the partition
plate.
8. The partition plate of claim 2, wherein the grasping portion is
formed along a position where fingers except for a thumb in any one
of left and right hands of an operator are placed.
9. The partition plate of claim 3, wherein the grasping portion is
formed along a position where fingers except for a thumb in any one
of left and right hands of an operator are placed.
10. The partition plate of claim 7, wherein the grasping portion is
formed along a position where fingers except for a thumb in any one
of left and right hands of an operator are placed.
11. The partition plate of claim 2, wherein the partition member
contacts the grasping portion in a section opposite to the grasping
portion.
12. The partition plate of claim 3, wherein the partition member
contacts the grasping portion in a section opposite to the grasping
portion.
13. The partition plate of claim 4, wherein the partition member
contacts the grasping portion in a section opposite to the grasping
portion.
14. The partition plate of claim 7, wherein the partition member
contacts the grasping portion in a section opposite to the grasping
portion.
15. The partition plate of claim 2, wherein the partition member
includes an auxiliary member pivotably attached to the partition
member, the auxiliary member pivoting according to pivoting of the
opening and closing plate to maintain an abutment state with
respect to the opening and closing plate, wherein the auxiliary
member includes a protruding portion, the protruding portion
abutting an edge of the partition plate within a range not to
obstruct the abutment state with respect to the opening and closing
plate to thereby restrict a pivotal movement of the auxiliary
member.
16. The partition plate of claim 3, wherein the partition member
includes an auxiliary member pivotably attached to the partition
member, the auxiliary member pivoting according to pivoting of the
opening and closing plate to maintain an abutment state with
respect to the opening and closing plate, wherein the auxiliary
member includes a protruding portion, the protruding portion
abutting an edge of the partition plate within a range not to
obstruct the abutment state with respect to the opening and closing
plate to thereby restrict a pivotal movement of the auxiliary
member.
17. The partition plate of claim 4, wherein the partition member
includes an auxiliary member pivotably attached to the partition
member, the auxiliary member pivoting according to pivoting of the
opening and closing plate to maintain an abutment state with
respect to the opening and closing plate, wherein the auxiliary
member includes a protruding portion, the protruding portion
abutting an edge of the partition plate within a range not to
obstruct the abutment state with respect to the opening and closing
plate to thereby restrict a pivotal movement of the auxiliary
member.
18. The partition plate of claim 5, wherein the partition member
includes an auxiliary member pivotably attached to the partition
member, the auxiliary member pivoting according to pivoting of the
opening and closing plate to maintain an abutment state with
respect to the opening and closing plate, wherein the auxiliary
member includes a protruding portion, the protruding portion
abutting an edge of the partition plate within a range not to
obstruct the abutment state with respect to the opening and closing
plate to thereby restrict a pivotal movement of the auxiliary
member.
19. The partition plate of claim 7, wherein the partition member
includes an auxiliary member pivotably attached to the partition
member, the auxiliary member pivoting according to pivoting of the
opening and closing plate to maintain an abutment state with
respect to the opening and closing plate, wherein the auxiliary
member includes a protruding portion, the protruding portion
abutting an edge of the partition plate within a range not to
obstruct the abutment state with respect to the opening and closing
plate to thereby restrict a pivotal movement of the auxiliary
member.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a partition plate
for use in a V-shaped measure of a medicine packing device, and
more particularly to a partition plate adapted to clean a medicine
remaining in a V-shaped measure and smoothly slide in the V-shaped
measure.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] There already exists in the art a medicine packing device
including a V-shaped measure wherein end plates are fixed to both
ends of a side plate, and wherein an opening and closing plate is
provided to allow its lower edge to contact the side plate and be
spaced apart therefrom. A partition plate is provided in the
V-shaped measure. The partition plate is reciprocated in a length
direction of the V-shaped measure while being maintained parallel
to the end plates and being abutted to the side plate and the
opening and closing plate. Further, it is disposed at a position
corresponding to a division number of a medicine to be received (a
powdered medicine in particular). Thereafter, a medicine is
received in the V-shaped measure and is divided through a dividing
container by opening the opening and closing plate. The medicine is
then packed one pack at a time in a packing device (see, e.g.,
Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No.
1985-58136
[0004] Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model
Registration No. 2577449
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] However, the above-mentioned prior art partition plates are
not movable with respect to the side plate. Thus, when a medicine
remains in the V-shaped measure, a removal operation for such
remaining medicine is obstructed. If a medicine remains in the
V-shaped measure, then it causes problems such as contamination
(i.e., blending of different types of medicines) when the types of
medicines to be received in the V-shaped measure are changed.
[0006] Further, the partition plate closely abuts the side plate
and the opening and closing plate so that the medicine cannot leak
out through a gap formed between the side plate and the opening and
closing plate. Thus, if the partition plate is slightly bent or
distorted, then the partition plate may be trapped to the side
plate or the opening and closing plate due to a friction
therebetween during reciprocating movement, thereby obstructing
smooth reciprocating movement of the partition plate. Particularly,
it causes problems in that the partition plate is distorted when
manually grasping the partition plate.
[0007] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
partition plate for use in a V-shaped measure of a medicine packing
device, which allows a medicine remaining in the V-shaped measure
to be easily cleaned and can smoothly reciprocate in the V-shaped
measure.
[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the present
invention provides a partition plate for use in a V-shaped measure
of a medicine packing device, which is disposed in a V-shaped
measure, wherein end plates are fixed to both ends of a side plate,
and wherein an opening and closing plate pivots between an opened
position and a closed position such that a lower edge of end plates
can be brought into contact with and spaced apart from the side
plate. The partition plate is reciprocated in a length direction of
the side plate while being maintained parallel to the end plates by
the handling of an operator to thereby adjust a division number of
a medicine received in the V-shaped measure. The partition plate
includes: a slide member attached so as to be reciprocated in the
length direction of the side plate, the slide member including a
guide receiving portion; and a partition member including a guide
portion removably guided by the guide receiving portion of the
slide member, the partition member being reciprocated together with
the slide member while being maintained parallel to the end plates.
A grasping portion for grasping the partition plate is integrally
provided in the slide member.
[0009] According to such a configuration, in case a medicine is
received in the V-shaped measure, if the slide member is slid up to
a predetermined position, then the partition member is also moved
up to the predetermined position as the guide portion is guided by
the guide receiving portion. Further, in case of cleaning up a
medicine remaining in the V-shaped measure after the medicine drops
from the V-shaped measure by opening the opening and closing plate,
the partition member can be simply removed from the slide member by
only separating the guide portion from the guide receiving portion.
Further, when cleaning is completed, the partition member can be
simply mounted to the slide member by only guiding the guide
portion to the guide receiving portion.
[0010] Further, in case of grasping and sliding the partition plate
in a manual movement, if an operator grasps the partition member,
then the partition member is affected by rattling in an engaging
portion between the guide receiving portion and the guide portion.
It causes a problem in that the partition plate is distorted and
then the partition plate cannot smoothly slide. However, in the
present invention, since the grasping portion is integrally
provided in the slide member, grasping the grasping portion and
moving the partition plate are not affected by the rattling in the
engaging portion between the guide receiving portion and the guide
portion and thus allow the partition plate to smoothly move.
Accordingly, a medicine remaining in the V-shaped measure, which
was difficult to be cleaned up in the prior art, can be easily
cleaned up and the partition plate can be smoothly reciprocated in
the V-shaped measure.
[0011] Further, the guide receiving portion of the slide member may
include a pair of guide receiving plates provided at a
predetermined interval. The guide portion of the partition member
may be slidably disposed between the guide receiving plates. The
grasping portion may extend from an end edge of one or both ends of
the pair of guide receiving plates to cover all or a portion of the
partition member.
[0012] According to such a configuration, since the grasping
portion provided integrally in the slide member covers all or a
portion of the partition member, the operator grasps the grasping
portion when sliding the partition plate. Thus, the partition plate
is not distorted for the aforementioned reasons and can be slid
smoothly.
[0013] Further, the grasping portion may be formed along a position
where a hand of the operator is placed on the partition plate when
the operator handles the partition plate.
[0014] According to such a configuration, since the operator grasps
the grasping portion when sliding the partition plate, the
partition plate is not distorted for the aforementioned reasons and
can be slid smoothly. Further, since the grasping portion is formed
only at a position where the operator handles, the grasping portion
does not need to widen in vain. Furthermore, it is possible to
minimize cases wherein the grasping portion approaches a section of
the V-shaped measure where the medicine is received, thereby
minimizing causes of packing error.
[0015] Further, the grasping portion may be formed along a position
where fingers except for a thumb in any one of left and right hands
of the operator are placed.
[0016] According to such a configuration, since the operator grasps
the grasping portion when sliding the partition plate, the
partition plate is not distorted for the aforementioned reasons and
can be slid smoothly. Further, since the grasping portion is formed
by considering which hand is used by the operator, it is possible
to designate fingers to be handled and further prevent a waste with
regard to forming the grasping portion. Thus, it is possible to
minimize cases wherein the grasping portion approaches a section of
the V-shaped measure where the medicine is received, thereby
minimizing causes of packing error.
[0017] Further, the partition member may contact the grasping
portion in a section opposite to the grasping portion.
[0018] According to such a configuration, the partition member is
supported as contacted to the grasping portion and is thereby
reinforced. Thus, when the operator grasps the grasping portion,
the grasping portion is difficult to bend.
[0019] Further, the partition member may include an auxiliary
member pivotably attached to the partition member. The auxiliary
member may pivot according to pivoting of the opening and closing
plate to maintain an abutment state with respect to the opening and
closing plate. The auxiliary member may include a protruding
portion, which abuts an edge of the partition plate within a range
not to obstruct the abutment state with respect to the opening and
closing plate to thereby restrict a pivotal movement of the
auxiliary member.
[0020] According to such a configuration, the partition member can
always be in an appropriate position with respect to the slide
member, although the opening and closing plate is opened. In
addition, the auxiliary member can be positioned to even a region
uncovered by the partition member. Accordingly, when the medicine
leaks out laterally through a gap formed between the partition
member and the opening and closing plate by opening the opening and
closing plate, the auxiliary member can prevent such leakage.
Further, the protruding portion is provided in the auxiliary plate.
Thus, although the auxiliary plate is unnecessarily pivoted to be
spaced from the opening and closing plate when the removed
partition member is mounted to the slide member, the protruding
portion can restrict the rotation of the auxiliary plate to a range
wherein the auxiliary plate can return to the abutment state to the
opening and closing plate. As such, it is possible to prevent a
failure that a medicine is fed into the V-shaped measure by mistake
when the partition member is mounted to the slide member with the
auxiliary plate spaced apart from the opening and closing
plate.
[0021] According to the present invention, the partition plate
comprises the slide member and the partition member removable from
the slide member. Accordingly, it is possible to easily clean up a
medicine remaining in the V-shaped measure, which was difficult to
be cleaned up in the prior art. Further, since the grasping portion
is integrally provided in the slide member, grasping the grasping
portion and handling the partition plate in the manual movement are
not affected by a distortion of the partition plate caused by
rattling in an engaging portion between the slide member and the
partition member. Accordingly, the partition plate can be smoothly
reciprocated in the V-shaped measure without any jam.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medicine packing device
according to the present embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a V-shaped measure shown
in FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view of a partition plate and
FIG. 3(b) is a partially enlarged view of a slide receiving portion
thereof.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an opening and closing
plate in a closed position.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the opening and closing
plate in an opened position.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing that a partition member
is removed from a slide member.
[0028] FIG. 7 shows six views of a partition plate according to a
first embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a
medicine packing device according to the present embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 9(a) is a front view showing a partition plate grasped
by a hand and FIG. 9(b) is another front view of the partition
plate grasped by the hand.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a removed partition plate
according to a second embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 11 shows six views of the partition plate according to
the second embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0033] 1 . . . V-shaped Measure [0034] 2 . . . . Dividing Container
[0035] 3 . . . . Hopper [0036] 4 . . . . Side Plate [0037] 4a . . .
. Upper End Portion [0038] 4b . . . . Lower End Portion [0039] 4c,
4d . . . . Protrusion claws [0040] 5 . . . . End Plate [0041] 6 . .
. . Opening and Closing Plate [0042] 6a . . . . Supporting Shaft
[0043] 7 . . . . Partition Plate [0044] 8 . . . . Slide Member
[0045] 8a . . . . Grasping Portion [0046] 9 . . . . Partition
Member [0047] 9a . . . . Side-plate-facing Edge Portion [0048] 9b .
. . . Lower Edge Portion [0049] 9c . . . . Outer Edge Portion
[0050] 10 . . . . Slide Receiving Portion [0051] 11 . . . . Guide
Receiving Portion [0052] 12 . . . . Extension Portion [0053] 12a .
. . . Through Aperture [0054] 13 . . . . Holding Plate [0055] 14 .
. . . Roller [0056] 14a . . . . Circumferential Groove [0057] 15 .
. . . Detected Portion [0058] 16a, 16b . . . . Guide Receiving
Plates [0059] 17 . . . . Guide Groove [0060] 18 . . . . Guide
Portion [0061] 18a . . . . Support Portion [0062] 19 . . . . First
Abutment Portion [0063] 20 . . . . Second Abutment Portion [0064]
21 . . . . Auxiliary Plate [0065] 21a . . . . Shaft Portion [0066]
21b . . . . Lower Edge Portion [0067] 21c . . . . Inclined Edge
Portion [0068] 22 . . . . Supporting Mount [0069] 23 . . . . Motor
[0070] 24 . . . . Rack [0071] 25 . . . . Pinion [0072] 26 . . . .
Encoder [0073] 27 . . . . Sensor [0074] 28 . . . . Cleaner [0075]
29 . . . . Hinge Portion [0076] 30 . . . . Protruding Portion
[0077] 31 . . . . Left Hand [0078] 32 . . . . Right Hand [0079] 33
. . . . Fingers except for thumb [0080] 34 . . . . Thumb [0081] 35
. . . . Input Interface
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0082] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
First Embodiment
[0083] FIG. 1 illustrates a medicine packing device according to
the present embodiment. The medicine packing device generally
includes the following: a V-shaped measure 1; a plurality of
dividing containers 2 disposed below the V-shaped measure 1; and a
hopper 3 for sequentially receiving a medicine from each of the
dividing containers 2, similar to a conventional packing device
(not shown). The V-shaped measure 1 is provided at a left side of
the medicine packing device. An input interface 35 such as a PC for
inputting various data on a packing operation such as a patient's
name, a dose, etc. is provided at a right side of the medicine
packing device.
[0084] In the V-shaped measure 1, as shown in FIG. 2, an end plate
5 is fixed to both ends of a side plate 4.
[0085] An upper end portion 4a of the side plate 4 protrudes
obliquely backward, while a lower end portion 4b thereof extends
backward at a right angle (horizontally). A central portion of the
lower end portion is formed with a protrusion claw 4c. Further, a
back side of the side plate 4 is formed with a protrusion claw 4d,
which is opposed to the protrusion claw 4c of the lower end
portion.
[0086] The end plate 5 is provided with an opening and closing
plate 6 that is pivotable about a supporting shaft 6a. The opening
and closing plate 6 is pivoted about the supporting shaft 6a
between an opened position and a closed position by the drive of a
motor (not shown). This allows its lower edge to be brought into
contact with a lower edge of the side plate 4 and be spaced apart
therefrom. In the closed position, the opening and closing plate 6
and the side plate 4 define a substantially V-shaped
cross-section.
[0087] Further, a single partition plate 7 is disposed in the
V-shaped measure 1. Medicine is inputted into one side (in this
embodiment, a left side of the device) of the V-shaped measure 1,
which is partitioned into two sections in a length direction by the
partition plate 7. The amount of the medicine may be adjusted
according to a desired division number by freely changing a
position of the partition plate 7 depending on how many equal
portions the medicine must be divided into.
[0088] The partition plate 7 includes a slide member 8 and a
partition member 9, as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 7.
[0089] The slide member 8 includes: a slide receiving portion 10
slidably movably guided along an upper edge of the side plate 4;
and a guide receiving portion 11 extending from the slide receiving
portion 10 forward of the side plate 4 (i.e., inwardly of the
V-shaped measure 1). The slide member 8 is integrally formed using
a material having a high stiffness such as stainless steel,
etc.
[0090] The slide receiving portion 10 has a U-shaped cross section.
The slide receiving portion is reciprocated along the upper end
portion 4a that protrudes obliquely backward from the side plate 4,
while guided by the upper end portion 4a. An extension portion 12
extends from one end portion of the slide receiving portion 10
(i.e., an end portion located at the back side of the side plate
4). As shown in FIG. 3(b), two through-apertures 12a, to which a
holding plate 13 is secured by means of screws, are formed at two
places in a lower side of the extension portion 12.
[0091] Pairs of rollers 14, which are vertically juxtaposed, are
rotatably attached to one side of the holding plate 13. A
peripheral surface of the roller 14 is formed centrally along its
circumferential direction with a circumferential groove 14a. The
protrusion claws 4c, 4d, which are formed upwardly and downwardly
on the back side of the side plate 4, are placed on and guided by
the circumferential groove 14a. Further, the holding plate 13 is
provided at its opposite side, which is not facing toward the side
plate 4, with a detected portion 15 including a pair of vertically
arranged permanent magnets. The detected portion 15 is detected by
a sensor 27, which will be described later, and is used for
determining a position of the partition plate 7.
[0092] The guide receiving portion 11 extends from the slide
receiving portion 10 and gradually expands to occupy an upper side
of the V-shaped measure 1. An edge portion of the guide receiving
portion 11, which faces toward the side plate 4, is positioned with
a little gap from the upper end portion of the side plate 4 along
the front side thereof, thereby avoiding interference during a
sliding movement (i.e., occurrence of friction resistance).
Further, an edge portion of the guide receiving portion 11, which
is opposed to the side plate 4, bulges in a circular arc shape.
Furthermore, a lower half section of the guide receiving portion 11
defines a guide groove 17, in which a guide portion 18 of the
partition member 9 (as will be described later) is located, by
guide receiving plates 16a, 16b opposed to each other with a
predetermined gap. Lower edges of the guide receiving plates 16a,
16b and a bottom surface of the guide groove 17 are parallel to the
opening and closing plate 6, which is in the closed position. The
lower edge of the guide receiving plate 16a (a right side in the
front side of the device) is placed slightly below the lower edge
of the guide receiving plate 16b (a left side in the front side of
the device).
[0093] A grasping portion 8a, which extends from a lower edge of
the guide receiving plate 16b to cover a portion of the partition
member 9, is integrally formed on the guide receiving plate 16b. As
shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 7, the grasping portion 8a is formed in
such a manner that its edge portion extends to an approximately
halfway point in a depth direction of the V-shaped measure 1 while
facing toward the side plate 4, and further extends down from the
halfway point while curving toward an opposite side to the side
plate 4. It then extends up with an approximately same curvature as
that of said curving, and extends obliquely toward the opposite
side to the side plate 4 to reach an approximately halfway point of
the lower edge of the guide receiving plate 16b in a length
direction thereof. That is, when assuming that an operator handles
the partition plate 7 with his/her left hand 31 as shown in FIGS. 8
and 9, the grasping portion 8a is formed along a position where
fingers 33 except for a thumb of an operator's left hand 31 is
placed when the operator grasps the partition plate 7 to handle the
partition plate 7. In this case, the thumb 34 of the operators'
left hand 31 is placed on the guide receiving plate 16a. Although
not shown in the figures, the guide receiving plate 16a may be
formed with a grasping portion on which the thumb 34 of the left
hand 31 of the operator can be placed.
[0094] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the partition plate 7
is handled with the left hand 31. This is because the V-shaped
measure 1 is disposed at the left side of the device and the input
interface 35 is disposed at the right side of the device as shown
in FIG. 8. Thus, the operator necessarily manipulates the input
interface 35 with the right hand 32, while handling the partition
plate 7 of the V-shaped measure 1 with the left hand 31.
Accordingly, according to the arrangement of the V-shaped measure 1
and the input interface 35, the partition plate 7 may be configured
to be dedicated for the right hand or correspond to the both
hands.
[0095] As shown in FIG. 3, the partition member 9 is formed by
molding a synthetic resin material in order to decrease any damage
to the side plate 4 and the opening and closing plate 6. An upper
side of the partition member 9 is formed with the guide portion 18,
which is slidably disposed in the guide groove 17. The guide
portion 18 and the guide groove 17 are contacted to each other so
that they can easily slide without rattling and without any
interference. Further, as clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, a section
of the partition member 9, which is opposed to the grasping portion
8a of the slide member 8, is formed with a support portion 18a that
contacts the grasping portion 8a and has the same shape as the
grasping portion 8a. A surface of the support portion 18a is
coplanar with the surface of the guide portion 18. The support
portion 18a functions as a guide portion, which is guided by the
grasping portion 8a.
[0096] A side-plate-facing edge portion 9a of the partition member
9 is straight shaped and abuts the side plate 4. A lower edge
portion 9b of the partition member 9 is inclined with respect to
the side-plate-facing edge portion 9a and defines a first abutment
portion 19 that abuts the opening and closing plate 6 in the closed
position. An edge portion 9c (outer edge portion) of the partition
member 9, which is joined to the lower edge portion 9b and is
opposed to the side-plate-facing edge portion 9a, is formed with a
second abutment portion 20 that abuts the opening and closing plate
6 in an opened position. The remainder of the outer edge portion 9c
is formed in a circular are or in a multi-tapered shape so as to
conform to a rotation trajectory of the opening and closing plate
6. Further, an occupation space in a height direction of the
partition member 9 is sized such that partitioning of a medicine
can be well performed even in case of a maximum amount of medicine
for one pack.
[0097] Further, an auxiliary plate 21 is attached to the partition
member 9 so as to be pivotable about a shaft portion 21a. The
auxiliary plate 21 is disposed through the shaft portion 21a in
such a manner that its one end side is superposed on the partition
member 9 in a section of the V-shaped measure 1 where the medicine
is not received and the other end side is exposed toward a section
of the V-shaped measure 1 where the medicine is received. Further,
as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the shaft portion 21a is positioned near
the supporting shaft 6a, which is a rotation center of the opening
and closing plate 6. The auxiliary plate 21 is thin-plate-shaped.
One end of a lower edge portion 21b of the auxiliary plate is
located at a boundary between the first abutment portion 19 and the
second abutment portion 20 of the partition member 9. Further, an
inclined edge portion 21c inclined with respect to the lower edge
portion is formed at the other end of the lower edge portion 21b.
Also, when the opening and closing plate 6 is in the closed
position as shown in FIG. 4, the lower edge portion 21b abuts the
opening and closing plate 6 together with the first abutment
portion 19 of the partition member 9 so as to extend in the same
line. On the other hand, when the opening and closing plate 6 is in
the opened position as shown in FIG. 5, the lower edge portion 21b
abuts the opening and closing plate 6 together with the second
abutment portion 20 of the partition member 9. Thus, although the
opening and closing plate 6 is rotated, the auxiliary plate 21
always maintains an abutment state with respect to the opening and
closing plate 6. As such, it covers a gap formed between the outer
edge portion 9c of the partition member 9 and the opening and
closing plate 6, thereby preventing the medicine from overflowing
laterally (not down to the dividing container 2).
[0098] Further, a protruding portion 30, which protrudes
perpendicularly to a surface of the auxiliary plate 21 where the
medicine is received, is provided in the auxiliary plate 21 at the
section of the V-shaped measure 1 where the medicine is received.
The protruding portion 30 abuts the edge of the partition member 9
(i.e., the lower edge portion 9b and the outer edge portion 9c) to
restrict a pivotal range of the auxiliary plate 21. The protruding
portion 30 is positioned so as not to abut the partition member 9
while the opening and closing plate 6 operates from the opened
position to the closed position. Further, the protruding portion is
configured so as not to disturb the operation of the opening and
closing plate 6.
[0099] As shown in FIG. 2, the dividing containers 2 are disposed
below the V-shaped measure 1. Further, the dividing containers are
configured such that at least as many ones as a pack number (the
division number of a medicine received in the V-shaped measure 1)
can be continuously arranged without any gaps. The dividing
container 2 is supported by a supporting mount 22. It is
reciprocatingly movable along a length direction of the V-shaped
measure 1 through an interposed rack 24 and a pinion 25 by the
drive of a motor 23. A revolution amount, a revolution angle, a
revolution position, etc. of the motor 23 are detected by an
encoder 26. Further, a sensor 27 is provided in the supporting
mount 22 to detect the detected portion 15 provided in the holding
plate 13. The medicine, which drops from the V-shaped measure by
opening the opening and closing plate 6 in a position where the
sensor 27 detects the detected portion 15, is equally partitioned
by and received in the dividing containers 2 as many as the
division number set through the partition plate 7. A bottom plate
2a, which can be opened and closed, is provided at a bottom of each
dividing container 2. As the bottom plates 2a are opened one after
the other, the partitioned medicine is fed to a packing device and
is then packed one pack at a time.
[0100] The medicine packing device configured as described above
equally partitions a medicine and packs the same as follows.
[0101] First, the partition plate 7 is grasped and manually moved
and is stopped at a position where a division number corresponds to
a pack number for packing. In this case, when an operator grasps
and moves the partition member 9 of the partition plate 7, it is
difficult to eliminate rattling between the guide portion 18 and
the guide groove 17 due to a slide movement therebetween. Further,
since the partition member 9 is made from a resin material, the
partition plate 7 can flex overall and thus the partition plate 7
cannot smoothly move. In this regard, according to this embodiment,
the grasping portion 8a, which an operator can grasp, is provided
in the slide member 8. Therefore, during manual movement, grasping
the grasping portion exerts a stress on the grasping portion 8a
which is made from a stainless material and has stiffness. Thus,
the partition plate 7 becomes difficult to flex when compared to
strongly grasping the partition member 9, thereby rendering the
movement of the partition plate 7 smooth. Further, the partition
member 9 is formed in the section opposite the grasping portion 8a
of the slide member 8 with the support portion 18a, which has the
same shape as the grasping portion 8a and contacts the grasping
portion 8a. Thus, the support portion 18a is supported and
reinforced by contacting the grasping portion 8a having a
thin-plate-shape. As a result, when an operator grasps the grasping
portion 8a, the support portion is difficult to flex.
[0102] Then, the medicine is received in the V-shaped measure 1. In
this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the partition member 9 of the
partition plate 7 allows its first abutment portion 19 to abut the
surface of the opening and closing plate 6, which is inclined in
the closed position, by means of its own weight. Also, a reaction
force caused by such abutment allows the side-plate-facing edge
portion 9a to abut a surface of the side plate 4. Thus, an
excellent partition state can be accomplished. Further, the motor
23 is driven and each of the dividing containers 2 is moved so that
all the medicines dropping from the V-shaped measure 1 can be
collected by the dividing container 7.
[0103] Subsequently, the opening and closing plate 6 is pivoted
about the supporting shaft 6a by the drive of a motor (not shown)
to thereby be opened as its lower edge portion is spaced apart from
the side plate 4. In this case, the partition member 9 gradually
releases an abutment state of the first abutment portion 19 from a
state where the first abutment portion abuts the opening and
closing plate 6 is in the closed position, while the second
abutment portion 20 approaches the opening and closing plate 6.
Also, when the opening and closing plate 6 goes into the opened
position, the second abutment portion 20 abuts the opening and
closing plate 6 as shown in FIG. 5 and a further opening operation
is prohibited. Further, the auxiliary plate 21 is pivoted about the
shaft portion 21a while maintaining its abutment state with respect
to the opening and closing plate 6. That is, no gap is formed in
the partition position accomplished by the partition plate 7,
although the opening and closing plate 6 is opened. Further, since
the weight of the partition member 9 maintains the abutment state
between the opening and closing plate 6 and the side plate 4 during
pivoting of the opening and closing plate 6, a gap is difficult to
form and an excellent partition state can be accomplished when
compared to the prior art. Accordingly, all the medicines dropping
from the V-shaped measure are collected by the dividing containers
2 located below without laterally overflowing and are equally
partitioned.
[0104] Next, the dividing containers 2 are moved by the drive of
the motor 23 and are situated above the hopper 3 one after another.
Thereafter, the bottom plates of the dividing containers 2 situated
above the hopper 3 are opened one after another and the medicine is
packed one pack at a time.
[0105] As such, the medicine in the V-shaped measure is divided
into the dividing containers 2 and is then packed one pack at a
time in the packing device. Thereafter, cleaning of the inside of
the V-shaped measure 1 is conducted before feeding the next
medicine into the V-shaped measure. Such cleaning of the inside of
the V-shaped measure 1 is performed such that a cleaner 28 (which
is equipped in the medicine packing device) sucks in the remaining
medicine. Before such cleaning, however, the partition member 9 of
the partition plate 7 is removed as shown in FIG. 6. Since the
partition member 9 is situated with its guide portion 18 guided by
the guide receiving portion 11 of the slide member 8, it can be
simply removed by grasping and obliquely upward sliding it along
the opening and closing plate 6. Accordingly, it is possible to
simply and completely remove even a medicine remaining in a section
concealed by the partition plate 7, which was difficult to be
cleaned in the prior art. In addition, cleaning of the partition
plate 7 itself can be easily performed.
[0106] When such cleaning is completed, the partition member 9 can
simply return to its original state by guiding its guide portion
between the guide receiving portions 11 of the slide member 8 while
it slides along the opening and closing plate 6.
[0107] Further, the auxiliary plate 21 is provided with the
protruding portion 30. Thus, although the auxiliary plate 21 is
unnecessarily pivoted to be spaced from the opening and closing
plate 6 when the partition member 9 is mounted to the slide member
8 after cleaning, the protruding portion can restrict the rotation
of the auxiliary plate 21 to a range wherein the auxiliary plate 21
can return to the abutment state to the opening and closing plate 6
due to its own weight. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a
failure that a medicine is fed into the V-shaped measure 1 by
mistake in a state where the partition member 9 is mounted to the
slide member 8 with the auxiliary plate 21 spaced apart from the
opening and closing plate 6.
[0108] Further, the partition plate 7 is manually reciprocated as
described above. However, to cope with both the manual movement and
the automatic movement, another drive motor (not shown) may be
provided.
Second Embodiment
[0109] FIGS. 10 and 11 show a partition plate 7 according to a
second embodiment.
[0110] The partition plate 7 is configured similarly to that of the
first embodiment except that a leading end portion of the slide
member 8, namely, its guide receiving portion 11 side, is connected
to the slide receiving portion 10 side so as to be pivotable about
a hinge portion 29.
[0111] With the partition plate 7 configured as such, in case of
cleaning the inside of the V-shaped measure 1, the partition member
9 can be easily removed from the inside of the V-shaped measure 1
by pivoting the guide receiving portion 11 side of the slide member
8 about the hinge portion 29 as shown in FIG. 8. In addition, a
portion of the slide member 8, which is placed inside the V-shaped
measure 1 (including its upper side), can also be withdrawn.
Accordingly, cleaning the inside of the V-shaped measure can be
smoothly performed without any obstruction.
[0112] Furthermore, the partition member 9 can be removed prior to
pivoting a portion of the slide member 8 by being slidably moved
along the opening and closing plate 6 similarly to the first
embodiment.
* * * * *