Apparatus and method for automatically packing prescription packages and prescription package box

Abstract

According to one embodiment a prescription package supplier is provided for cutting prescription packages successively discharged from an automatic prescribed-medicament packing machine and supplying them, the automatic prescribed-medicament packing machine successively packing medicaments prepared according to a physician's or pharmacist's prescription, dose by dose, and a prescription package receiver for accommodating the prescription packages supplied from the prescription package supplier in a prescription package box. The prescription boxes are then discharged. According to another embodiment, a method for automatically packing prescription packages is provided. According to yet another embodiment, a prescription package box in which separate prescription packages are packed by the automatic prescription package packing apparatus is provided.

1 . An apparatus for automatically packing prescription packages prepared according to a physician's or pharmacist's prescription, comprising:
 an automatic prescribed-medicament packing machine successively packing medicaments prepared according to a physician's or pharmacist's prescription dose by dose;   a prescription package supplier operable to cut prescription packages successively discharged from the automatic prescribed-medicament packing machine and supplying them; and   a prescription package receiver operable to accommodate the prescription packages supplied from the prescription package supplier in a prescription package box and then discharging the prescription package box.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a box supplier operable to supply the prescription package receiver with the prescription package box for accommodating the prescription packages.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the prescription package supplier includes:
 a cutting unit for cutting the successively connected prescription packages discharged from the automatic prescribed-medicament packing machine into separate prescription packages, each of which contains one dose of medicaments; and   an arranging unit for arranging the prescription packages, which are cut by the cutting unit, in groups of the prescription packages to be packed in the prescription package box.   
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the prescription package supplier further includes a bobbin mounting unit and a bobbin tray mounted to the bobbin mounting unit, the prescription packages successively discharged from the automatic prescribed-medicament packing machine and stored while being wound around the bobbin tray. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the prescription package supplier further includes a prescription package delivery unit for delivering the successively connected prescription packages and at the same time reading dosage information recorded on each prescription package. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the prescription package delivery unit includes a vision inspection system including a camera to photograph a prescription package in which the prescribed medicaments are packed and an image reading unit to determine whether the prescription package is properly packed through the image photographed by the camera, the vision inspection system determining whether the prescribed medicaments are properly packed by reading shapes and colors of the medicaments photographed by the camera. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the arranging unit has at least one receiving portion configured to temporarily store the prescription packages to be packed based on dosage information. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the box supplier includes:
 a box magazine configured to store prescription package boxes classified into each size in an unfolded state;   a first forming unit configured to fold one of the prescription package boxes stored in the box magazine to be shaped for containing the prescription packages, the one prescription package box having a desired size; and   a box delivery unit configured to supply the shaped prescription package box to the prescription package receiver.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the prescription package receiver includes:
 a loading unit configured to load the prescription packages supplied from the prescription package supplier in the prescription package box; and   a second forming unit configured to close a cover of the prescription package box in which the prescription packages are loaded by the loading unit, and sealing the prescription package box.   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the prescription package receiver further includes a labeling unit configured to attach a label, on which dosage information on the packed medicaments is printed, to an outside of the prescription package box. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the prescription package receiver further includes an inspecting unit for reading the dosage information from the label attached to the outside of the prescription package box that is completely packed, and inspecting whether the prescription packages are accurately packed. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a chute for temporarily storing prescription package boxes that are packed and discharged from the prescription package receiver. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising a conveyor device for delivering the prescription package boxes stored in the chute to another place. 
   
   
       14 . A method for automatically packing prescription packages prepared according to a physician's or pharmacist's prescription, comprising the steps of:
 automatically packing medicaments prepared according to a physician's or pharmacist's prescription dose by dose using an automatic prescribed-medicament packing machine;   cutting prescription packages successively discharged from an automatic prescribed-medicament packing machine and supplying them; and   accommodating the supplied prescription packages in a prescription package box to be stacked up therein.   
   
   
       15 . A prescription package box for packing prescription packages on a delivery basis by the automatic prescription package apparatus according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       16 . The prescription package box as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the prescription package box has an opening formed at a lower end thereof, allowing one by one removal of the accommodated prescription packages, and a label attached to the opening so that the opening is maintained in a closed state until the prescription package box is used, the label having dosage information on the packed prescribed medicaments printed thereon, the label being removed when the prescription package box is used. 
   
   
       17 . The prescription package box as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the prescription package box has an additional label attached to another position than the opening and the same dosage information as the label attached to the opening being printed on the additional label. 
   
   
       18 . The prescription package box as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the prescription packages are accommodated inside of the prescription package box to be stacked up therein, and the prescription packages are stacked up so that dosage order is the same as the stacked order of the prescription packages from toward one end toward another end of the prescription package box.