System for Automatic Storage and Taking Out of Chartula

Abstract

A system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula comprises a cabinet, pouch-storing trays, a first receiving frame, a first receiving frame, a first receiving frame inlet, a taking-out basket, a taking-out basket outlet, a pouch-taking-in module, a pouch-storing module, a pouch-taking-out module, and a moving device. The taking-in tray is for taking in medicine from outside. The taking-in tray inlet is provided through the front surface of the cabinet, and the taking-in tray inlet comprises a first locking device which is locked or unlocked from inside. The taking-out basket is for taking out erroneous pouches to the outside. The taking-out basket outlet is provided through the front surface of the cabinet, and the taking-out backer outlet comprises a second locking device which is locked and unlocked from outside.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of four Korean Patent Applications: 10-2011-0043837 for “System for Automatic Storage and Taking Out of Chartula” filed on May 11, 2011; 10-2011-0048229 for “System for Automatic Package of Chartula” filed on May 23, 2011; 10-2011-0088778 for “System for Automatic Storage and Taking Out of Chartula” filed on Sep. 2, 2011; 10-2011-0102824 for “System for Automatic Storage and Taking Out of Chartula” filed on Oct. 10, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantages of the prior art.

An object of the invention is to provide a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula.

A system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula comprises a cabinet, a plurality of pouch-storing trays, a first receiving frame, a first receiving frame, a first receiving frame inlet, a taking-out basket, a taking-out basket outlet, a pouch-taking-in module, a pouch-storing module, a pouch-taking-out module, and a moving device.

The taking-in tray is for taking in medicine from outside to inside.

The taking-in tray inlet is provided through the front surface of the cabinet, and the taking-in tray inlet comprises a first locking device.

The taking-out basket is for taking out erroneous pouches from inside to the outside.

The taking-out basket outlet is provided through the front surface of the cabinet, and the taking-out basket outlet comprises a second locking device.

The taking-in tray comprise a lid and the lid is configured to be locked and unlocked with a third locking device.

The third locking device is opened and closed when the taking-in tray is in the cabinet and the first locking device is locked.

The first locking device may be opened and closed by a controller in the cabinet from inside. The third locking device may be opened and closed by the controller in the cabinet from inside.

Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing two systems according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a system according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a partially perspective view showing a taking-in tray and a taking-out basket according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1-1 is a schematic diagram of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1-2 is a perspective view showing a pouch-storing tray for stacking pouches in FIG. 1-1;

FIG. 1-3 is a cross-sectional view showing stacked pouches in FIG. 1-2 along “A” direction;

FIG. 1-4 is a perspective view showing the container in FIG. 1-1;

FIG. 1-5 is a perspective view showing the rack supporting the container in FIG. 1-1;

FIG. 1-6 is a schematic diagram of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2-1 is a schematic diagram of a system for automatic package of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3-1 is a schematic diagram of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3-2 is a perspective view showing a container in FIG. 3-1;

FIG. 3-3 is a perspective view showing a rack on which the container is set in FIG. 3-1;

FIG. 3-4 is a perspective view showing a pouch-storing tray according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3-5 is a perspective view showing a pouch-storing tray according to still another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3-6 is a left side view showing a taking-out basket of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to still another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3-7 is a schematic diagram of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to still another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4-1 is a schematic diagram of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4-2 is a right side cross-sectional view showing a taking-out basket of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4-3 is a plan view showing the basket-receiving frame in FIG. 4-1;

FIG. 4-4 is a diagram showing the taking-out basket removed from FIG. 4-3; and

FIG. 4-5 is a diagram of a usage state showing an operation with the basket-receiving frame exploded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3, a system 100 for automatic storage and taking out of chartula comprises a cabinet 110, a plurality of pouch-storing trays 120, a first receiving frame 130, a taking-in tray 140, a taking-in tray inlet 150, a taking-out basket 160, a taking-out basket outlet 170, a pouch-taking-in module, a pouch-storing module, a pouch-taking-out module, and a moving device 180.

The taking-in tray 140 is for taking in medicine from outside to inside.

The taking-in tray inlet 150 is provided through the front surface of the cabinet 110, and the taking-in tray inlet 150 comprises a first locking device (not shown).

The taking-out basket 160 is for taking out erroneous pouches from inside to the outside.

The taking-out basket outlet 170 is provided through the front surface of the cabinet 110, and the taking-out backer outlet 170 comprises a second locking device (not shown).

The taking-in tray 140 comprise a lid 142 and the lid 142 is configured to be locked and unlocked with a third locking device (not shown).

The third locking device is opened and closed when the taking-in tray 140 is in the cabinet 110 and the first locking device is locked.

The first locking device may be opened and closed by a controller (not shown) in the cabinet 110 from inside. The third locking device may be opened and closed by the controller in the cabinet 110 from inside.

The controller may be provided in the cabinet 110, and can by controlled through a communication device (not shown). Also, the controller may have an access to a wireless Internet, and can be controlled through the Internet.

The taking-in tray may be for refilling medicine in the system. However, a human staff 900 may not be allowed to access the inside of the taking-in tray.

The controller can control the first, second, third locking device mechanically or electronically or wirelessly, so as to maximize the security of the entire system 100.

Using the system 100, the medicine can be taken in through steps for: receiving a refill tray (taking-in tray); putting the refill tray inside the system; moving the robot (moving device); recognizing barcode of the refill tray; if OK, unlocking the refill tray and opening the lid; moving the robot; recognizing medicine barcode; if OK, picking up with the robot; opening the pouch-storing tray; putting the medicine in the pouch-storing tray; closing the pouch-storing tray; finishing taking-in; and spitting out the refill tray.

If no good at the step of recognizing barcode of the refill tray, the refill tray is spitted out.

If no good at the step of recognizing medicine barcode, the medicine may be tried to recognize with image. If still no good, the medicine is picked up by the robot and put in a discarding basket.

Using the system 100, the medicine can be taken out through steps for: choosing medicine; opening the pouch-storing tray; moving the robot; recognizing the medicine barcode; if OK, picking up the medicine; moving the robot; dropping in the taking-out basket; taking picture of the medicine; and finishing.

If no good at the step of recognizing the medicine barcode, the medicine is tried to be recognized with image. If still no goo, the medicine is picked up by the robot and dropped in the discarding basket.

The system may include a manual tray 122.

Also, the taking-out basket 160 may be operated by a separate robot device as shown in FIG. 3

The discarding basket may be provided separately just like the taking-out basket or, alternatively assigned in a partial space of the taking-out basket.

PRIORITY 1

Field of Invention

The invention relates to a general automation system in drugstores, more specifically to a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula, which can perform entire functions of the drugstores such as automatic taking-in, assorting, storing, taking out according to prescriptions, packing, and inventory managing of medicine.

Background of Technology

At a regular small or middle-sized drugstore, if the patient presents a prescription, the pharmacist or counter staff receives it, prepares medicine according to the contents of the prescription, and gives them to the patient.

However, with the above procedures, it takes too long to process of the prescription, and it takes more time and effort for inventory checking, effective date managing, ordering, and refunding.

Also at large-sized drugstores, even though there were a receiving department for receiving prescriptions, a medicine-preparing department for preparing medicine according to the prescriptions, etc separately, the receiving, preparing, packaging, etc. were not managed automatically and systematically, still being unable to solve the problems at the small or middle-sized drugstores.

Thus, it is needed to innovate to satisfy the needs such as the shortening of time for preparation, optimizing of inventory management, providing of environment for safe medication, and minimization of managing manpower, through overall automation inside a drugstore.

Disclosure

Problems to Solve

In order to solve the above problems, the invention provides a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula, which automatizes the entire procedures in drugstores such as taking-in, assorting, storing, taking-out medicine, and inventory management according prescriptions.

The invention for solving the above problems provides a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula, which packages the chartula or medicine pouches differently according to the kinds and quantities of medicine

Solutions to Problems

According to the invention for achieving the above goals, a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula for performing entire procedures in drugstore automatically comprises: a pouch-storing tray having a plurality of cells on a top surface; a first receiving frame for receiving and stacking the plurality of pouch-storing trays in a direction; a container for containing a pouch; a rack for aligning and storing the containers on top; a second receiving frame for receiving and stacking the plurality of racks in a direction; a pouch-taking-in module for taking in medicine after recognizing information thereof; a pouch-storing module for storing pouches in pouch-storing cells predetermined according to the information recognized in the pouch-taking-in module; a pouch-taking-out module for finding and taking out a requested pouch from the pouch-storing tray; and a moving device for receiving the pouch-storing tray and the rack according the pouch-storing module and the pouch-taking-out module and moving the pouch and the container.

The plurality of cells may be formed concavely by dividers.

The plurality of cells may be formed with different sizes.

The rack may may be configured to have a plurality of grooves on top aligned.

The moving device may be a robot device installed with a grabbing means or a machine device having a linearly-moving pusher, and the grabbing means may be one of finger type, vacuum absorbing type, and magnet type.

The robot device may be one of perpendicularly-reciprocating type and a multi-joint arm.

The pouch-taking-in module may include a barcode or an RFID chip for recognizing information on medicine.

It may further include a transporting device for taking out to outside the pouch or the container moved by the moving deice or taking in a pouch or the container from outside.

A top of the pouch-storing tray may be packaged with a protecting film, and the system may further comprise a tray-taking-in module for removing the protecting film with a protecting-film remover.

The system may further comprise a tray-storing module for storing the pouch-storing tray in the first receiving frame.

The system may further comprise, a tray-storing module for storing the pouch-storing tray filled with pouches by the pouch-storing module in the first receiving frame.

Effects of Invention

According to the invention described in the above, a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula is provided, which automatizes the entire procedures in drugstores such as taking-in, assorting, storing, taking-out medicine according prescriptions, packing, and inventory managing.

According to the invention as in the above, a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula is provided, which since the pouches are stacked and stored stably the pouches can be assorted according to kinds in a minimized space.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1-1 is a schematic diagram of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1-2 is a perspective view showing a pouch-storing tray for stacking pouches in FIG. 1-1;

FIG. 1-3 is a cross-sectional view showing stacked pouches in FIG. 1-2 along “A” direction;

FIG. 1-4 is a perspective view showing the container in FIG. 1-1;

FIG. 1-5 is a perspective view showing the rack supporting the container in FIG. 1-1; and

FIG. 1-6 is a schematic diagram of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of Invention

Below, a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention is described in detail referring to the drawing.

The system for automatic package of chartula according to the invention can perform checking inventory of various medicine, managing of effective dates, ordering, and refunding as well as functions of an automatic storehouse including automatic taking-in, assorting, storing (including medicine needed to be stored in controlled temperature as well as room temperature), taking-out according to the prescriptions.

Also, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention can assort the pouches according to the kinds and store in a minimized space, and can store in cold storage by installing a refrigerating device.

Also, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention can use a robot device with a grabbing means or conveyor means, so as to deliver the various kinds of medicine to a specific location and store, and at the same time to taking out selectively requested medicine from the various kinds of stored medicine. The robot device may be a perpendicularly-reciprocating type, multi-joint arm type, etc, and the grabbing means may include finger type, vacuum absorbing type, magnet type, etc.

Also, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention may recognize the medicine information using barcode, RFID chip, etc. or manually, and alternatively the medicine can be put in mass into an automatic sorting device and the medicine information may be recognized automatically.

Also, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention may be formed with a modular interfacing and central controlling portion with a program managing integrally all the operations, and all information such as medicine, effective date, inventory, etc. can be collected as data, and obtaining statistics of things such as from taking-in to preparing and prescripting of medicine, predicting needs of medicine, expiring of expiration date, etc. and so on can be made as reports.

Also, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention may be formed as an integrated system having all parts necessary for managing a drugstore, or may be divided into a couple of modules linked on a network.

FIG. 1-1 is a schematic diagram of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1-2 is a perspective view showing a pouch-storing tray for stacking pouches in FIG. 1-1, and FIG. 1-3 is a cross-sectional view showing stacked pouches in FIG. 1-2 along “A” direction.

As shown in FIG. 1-1, a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention comprises a pouch-storing tray (10) having a plurality of cells (11) on on the top. Referring to FIG. 1-2, the pouch-storing tray (10) forms the plurality of cells (11) by a plurality of dividers (13) forming mesh on the top. Referring to FIG. 1-3, the cells (11) are formed concavely with a predetermined depth, so as to store the pouch (1) stacked. By such structures, the pouch (1) is supported and not dispersed or mixed and the original location is 20, maintained stably even when the pouch-storing tray (10) is pushed to and fro while being received. Also, the plurality of cells (11) may be aligned with a constant size, and alternatively the cells (11) can be formed to have different sizes so as to hold pouches (1) of different sizes.

The plurality of pouch-storing trays (10) may be stacked to be received in a direction in a first receiving frame (20).

The first receiving frame (20) may be formed so as to have one side only opened and other sides closed. Such first receiving frame (20) may be installed with a refrigerating device inside so as to maintain a refrigerating state.

FIG. 1-4 is a perspective view showing the container in FIG. 1-1 and FIG. 1-5 is a perspective view showing the rack supporting the container in FIG. 1-1.

A system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention stores and takes out the containers (3) for receiving the pouches (1) shown in FIG. 1-4. The container (3) is aligned by a rack (30) and stored.

As shown in FIG. 1-5, the rack (30) may have a shape of plate which can receive the container (3). For an example, a plurality of inserting grooves (30a) are disposed on the top of the rack (30), such that the container (3) is inserted in the inserting grooves (30a), so as to be aligned by maintaining its own position on the top of the rack (30). Also, the rack (30) may have receptacles of various sizes, so as to receive the containers (3) of various sizes, such that a plurality of racks (30) with receptacles of different sizes can be used.

The plurality of racks (30) may be stacked to be received in a second receiving frame (40) in a direction.

The second receiving frame (40) may be formed such that all the sides are closed but only one side is opened. A system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention comprises a pouch-taking-in module for taking in medicine after recognizing information thereof, and a pouch-storing module for moving and storing the medicine, the information of which was recognized in the pouch-taking-in module.

The pouch-taking-in module includes basically a recognizing means for recognizing barcodes or RFID chips and a transporting device for transporting the medicine. The recognizing means may include a barcode or RFID chip reader, and the transporting device may include a conveyor device, etc.

And, the pouch-taking-in module takes in the pouches (1) one by one or as a roll with pouches (1) connected in a row, and provides a cutting device (not shown) inside, so as to cut the pouches (1) connected in a roll and stores them in the pouch-storing tray (10), in the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula. Also, the pouch (1) can be stacked in the first receiving frame (20) as received in the pouch-storing tray (10), or the pouch (1) is received in the pouch-storing tray (10) through a different method and inserted into the inside of the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula, then the pouch (1) only may be moved to the pouch-storing tray (10) stacked in the first receiving frame (20) using a moving device (50) described below.

On the other hand, before the pouch-storing tray (10) is stacked in the first receiving frame (20), the top side thereof is packaged with a protecting film (not shown) so as to protect inside from external environment, and the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula may include a protecting-film removing device, so as to remove the protecting film when stacking the pouch-storing tray (10) in the first receiving frame (20).

Also, a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention may further comprise a pouch-taking-out module for taking out requested medicine from the medicines stored in the pouch-storing module, and the pouch-taking-in module may be configured to perform taking-out of medicine together.

Also, the pouch-storing module of the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention comprises a moving device (50) for loading the pouch (1) recognized by the pouch-storing tray (10) a predetermined cell (11) of pouch-storing tray (10) out of the pouch-storing trays (10) or taking out the pouch (1) loaded in the pouch-storing tray (10). Additionally, the moving device (50) can receive the pouch-storing tray (10) from the first receiving frame (20), load the container (3) to the rack (30), take out the container (3) loaded in the rack (30), and receive the rack (30) from the second receiving frame (40). On the other hand, the pouch-storing tray (10) and the rack (30) may be installed with a separate receiving-guide device (not shown), so as to be received from the first receiving frame (20) and the second receiving frame (40) respectively.

The receiving-guide device, for example, is installed in the first and second receiving frames (20, 40), pushes the pouch-storing tray (10) and the rack (30) from inside, takes out from the first and second receiving frames (20, 40), pulls inward again, and is received into the first and second receiving frames (20, 40), such that the pouch-storing tray (10) and the rack (30) are received into the first and second receiving frames (20, 40) respectively.

For the moving device (50), a robot device having a grabbing means, conveyor means, etc. can be used. For the robot device, a perpendicularly reciprocating type, multi-joint arm type, etc may be used, and for the grabbing means, finger type, vacuum absorbing type, magnet type, etc. may be used. Also, for the grabbing means, a plurality of grabbing tools may be provided radially and an appropriate one can be selected and used according to the shape of the medicine to grab.

FIG. 1-6 is a schematic diagram of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to another embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1-6, in the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention, the first receiving frame (20) and the second receiving frame (40) are disposed in a row such that the pouch-storing tray (10) and the rack (30) are received to the front, and the moving device (50) can move the pouch (1), the container (3), the pouch-storing tray (10), and the rack (30) while moving to the right and left sides in front of the first and second receiving frames (20, 40). And, inlets for the pouch (1), the container (3), the pouch-storing tray (10), and the rack (30) can be disposed side by side from one another.

As in the above, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention has been described referring to the drawings, but the invention is not limited by the embodiments of the above and the drawings, and various corrections or variations can be possible by one of ordinary skill in the art which the invention belongs to.

PRIORITY 2

Field of Technology

The invention relates to a system for automatic package of chartula, more specifically to a system for automatic package of chartula which packages the chartula automatically according to prescriptions.

Background of Invention

At a regular small or middle-sized drugstore, if the patient presents a prescription, the pharmacist or counter staff receives it, prepares and packages medicine in doses of single use according to the contents of the prescription, and gives them to the patient.

However, with the above procedures, processing of the prescription and packing of various medicine are cumbersome and it takes too long.

Also at large-sized drugstores, even though there were a receiving department for receiving prescriptions, a medicine-preparing department for preparing medicine according to the prescriptions, etc separately, the receiving, preparing, packaging, etc. were not managed automatically and systematically, still being unable to solve the problems at the small or middle-sized drugstores.

Thus, it is needed to innovate to satisfy the needs such as the shortening of time for preparation and packaging and minimization of managing manpower, through overall automation inside a drugstore.

Disclosure

Problems to Solve

In order to solve the above problems, the invention provides a system for automatic package of chartula, which automatizes the entire procedures in drugstores such as taking-in, assorting, storing, taking-out medicine according prescriptions.

The invention for solving the above problems provides a system for automatic package of chartula, which packages the chartula or medicine pouches differently according to the kinds and quantities of medicine.

Solutions to Problems

According to the invention for solving the above, a system for automatic package of chartula comprises: a pouch-supplying device for supplying pouches according to kinds and quantities of requested medicine; a container-supplying device for supplying containers of different sizes according to the pouches supplied by the pouch-supplying device; a transporting device for transporting to a location the container when the pouch is loaded therein; a packaging device for packing the container with the pouch at an end of the transporting device; and a releasing member for releasing to outside the packaged container by the packing device.

The system for automatic package of chartula may further comprise a delivering device for delivering the pouches supplied by the pouch-supplying device to the transporting device.

The delivering device-may be a robot device installed with a grabbing means of medicine, and the grabbing means may be one of finger type, vacuum-absorbing type, and magnet type.

The container-supplying device may include a plurality of container-storing compartments for storing the containers of different sizes.

The packaging device may further comprise a cutter for cutting packaging paper.

Effect of Invention

According to the invention described in the above, a system for automatic package of chartula is provided, which automatizes the entire procedures in drugstores such as taking-in, assorting, storing, taking-out medicine according prescriptions.

According to the invention as in the above, minimizing time for packaging and also optimizing of the packaging can be achieved by packaging automatically medicine of different kinds and amounts in corresponding sizes according to the prescriptions.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 2-1 is a schematic diagram of a system for automatic package of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of Invention

Below, a system for automatic package of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention is described in detail referring to the drawing.

The system for automatic package of chartula according to the invention can perform packaging of various medicine as well as functions of an automatic storehouse including automatic taking-in, assorting, storing (including medicine needed to be stored in controlled temperature as well as room temperature), taking-out according to the prescriptions.

Also, the system for automatic package of chartula according to the invention can assort the pouches according to the kinds and store in a minimized space, and can store in cold storage by installing a refrigerating device.

Also, the system for automatic package of chartula according to the invention can use a robot device with a grabbing means or conveyor means, so as to deliver the various kinds of medicine to a specific location and store, and at the same time to taking out selectively requested medicine from the various kinds of stored medicine. The robot device may be a perpendicularly-reciprocating type, multi-joint arm type, etc, and the grabbing means may include finger type, vacuum absorbing type, magnet type, etc.

Also, the system for automatic package of chartula according to the invention may recognize the medicine information using barcode, RFID chip, etc. or manually, and alternatively the medicine can be put in mass into an automatic sorting device and the medicine information may be recognized automatically.

Also, the system for automatic package of chartula according to the invention may be formed as an integrated system having all parts necessary for managing a drugstore, or may be divided into a couple of modules linked on a network.

FIG. 2-1 is a schematic diagram of a system for automatic package of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 2-1, a system for automatic package of chartula according to the invention may comprise a pouch-supplying device (10) for storing pouches (1) according to their kinds and supplying the pouches (1) upon request of a user.

The pouch-supplying device (10) may comprise an autobox (11) having an exit on a bottom surface and a pouch-conveying belt on an internal bottom surface such that the pouch is discharged into the exit by the pouch-conveying belt. And a plurality of autoboxes (11) are formed and installed at installation frames (13) formed symmetrically, and a releasing guide (15) is formed at a bottom side between the installation frames (13) and configured to collect the pouch (1) from the autobox (11) and release to an end.

The releasing guide (15), for an example, has a top surface and an end opened, and a bottom surface thereof is configured to form a release-guiding conveying belt, so as to collect the pouch (1) and release to the end along the release-guiding conveying belt.

The system for automatic package of chartula according to the invention comprises a container-supplying device (20) for supplying containers (3) of different sizes according to the kinds and amounts of medicine supplied from the pouch-supplying device (10), in which a plurality of container-storing compartments (21) of different sizes for storing the containers (3) of different sizes are formed.

The container-supplying device (20), for example, may be configured to stack the containers (3) in the container-storing compartments (21), have an exit at the bottom end and a door (not shown) is formed in the exit, such that if operating the door the container (3) falls downward.

A transporting device (30) for transporting the container (3) supplied from the container-supplying device (20) in a direction may be formed below the container-supplying device (20).

The transporting device (30) may be formed with a conveyor.

Here, the pouch-supplying device (10) may be positioned at a side of the container-supplying device (20) and above the transporting device (30). And the pouch (1) supplied from the pouch-supplying device (10) is inserted into the inside of the container (3) being transported by the transporting device (30) and then transported along with the container (3) in a direction by the transporting device (30). On the other hand, the pouch (1) supplied from the pouch-supplying device (10) may be delivered to the transporting device (30) by an delivering device (not shown).

For the delivering device, a robot device having a grabbing means of medicine, a conveyor means, etc. For the robot device, a perpendicularly reciprocating type, multi-joint arm type, etc may be used, and for the grabbing means, finger type, vacuum absorbing type, magnet type, etc. may be used. Also, for the grabbing means, a plurality of grabbing tools may be provided radially and an appropriate one can be selected and used according to the shape of the medicine to grab.

Also, as described in the above, a robot device, in which a plurality of grabbing tools is provided radially and an appropriate one is selected, can be used.

A packaging device (40) can be installed at a side of the transporting device (30).

The packaging device (40) is for packing the container (3) installed with the pouch (1) transported by the transporting device (30) with a packaging paper such as pulp or vinyl, and especially it can package an open top. Such a packaging device (40) can perform jobs of sealing the packaging paper on the container (3) and printing shapes, letters, and numbers on the surface.

A container (3) a packaged by the packaging device (40) is spit out through a releasing opening (51) opened by a releasing member (50).

The releasing member (50), for an example, may be configured such that a linearly-translating pusher is installed inside the releasing opening (51) and pushes the packaged container (3a) transported into the releasing opening (51) by the transporting device (30) from the rear side as shown in FIG. 2-1, so as to release it to outside through the releasing opening (51). And, for another example, the releasing member (50) is tilted inside the releasing opening (51), such that the packaged container (3a) transported by the transporting device (30) moves along the tilted surface, passes the releasing opening (51), and then is released to the outside.

Here, in the packaging device (40) is further installed a cutter (not shown) for cutting the packaging paper, enabling packing the container (3) while the roll-type packaging paper to be cut.

As in the above, the system for automatic package of chartula according to the invention has been described referring to the drawings, but the invention is not limited by the embodiments of the above and the drawings, and various corrections or variations can be possible by one of ordinary skill in the art which the invention belongs, to.

PRIORITY 3

Field of Invention

The invention relates to a general automation system in drugstores, more specifically to a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula, which can perform entire functions of the drugstores such as automatic taking-in, assorting, storing, taking out according to prescriptions, packing, and inventory managing of medicine.

Background of Technology

At a regular small or middle-sized drugstore, if the patient presents a prescription, the pharmacist or counter staff receives it, prepares medicine according to the contents of the prescription, and gives them to the patient.

However, with the above procedures, it takes too long to process of the prescription, and it takes more time and effort for inventory checking, effective date managing, ordering, and refunding.

Also at large-sized drugstores, even though there were a receiving department for receiving prescriptions, a medicine-preparing department for preparing medicine according to the prescriptions, etc separately, the receiving, preparing, packaging, etc. were not managed automatically and systematically, still being unable to solve the problems at the small or middle-sized drugstores.

Thus, it is needed to innovate to satisfy the needs such as the shortening of time for preparation, optimizing of inventory management, providing of environment for safe medication, and minimization of managing. manpower, through overall automation inside a drugstore.

DISCLOSURE

Problems to Solve

In order to solve the above problems, the invention provides a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula, which automatizes the entire procedures in drugstores such as taking-in, assorting, storing, taking-out medicine, and inventory management according prescriptions.

The invention for solving the above problems provides a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula, which packages the chartula or medicine pouches differently according to the kinds and quantities of medicine

The invention for solving the above problems provides a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula, which facilitates taking out of medicine.

Solutions to Problems

According to the invention for achieving the above goals, a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula for performing entire procedures in drugstore automatically comprises: a pouch-storing tray having a plurality of cells on a top surface; a first receiving frame for receiving and stacking the plurality of pouch-storing trays in a direction; a pouch-taking-in module for taking in medicine after recognizing information thereof; a pouch-storing module for storing pouches in pouch-storing cells predetermined according to the information recognized in the pouch-taking-in module; a pouch-taking-out module for finding and taking out a requested pouch from the pouch-storing tray; and a moving device for receiving the pouch-storing tray and the rack according the pouch-storing module and the pouch-taking-out module and moving the pouch and the container.

The plurality of cells may be formed concavely by dividers.

The plurality of cells may be formed with different sizes.

The moving device may be a robot device installed with a grabbing means or a machine device having a linearly-moving pusher, and the grabbing means may be one of finger type, vacuum absorbing type, and magnet type.

The robot device may be one of perpendicularly-reciprocating type and a multi-joint arm.

On a surface of the pouch is formed a barcode, and the moving device may further comprise a first camera member for taking pictures of the barcode and an image of medicine.

The pouch-taking-in module may include a barcode or an RFID chip for recognizing information on medicine.

A top of the pouch-storing tray may be packaged with a protecting film, and the system may further comprise a tray-taking-in module for removing the protecting film with a protecting-film remover.

The pouch-storing tray may further comprise a cover for covering the top of the pouch-storing tray and a locking device for locking or unlocking the cover to the pouch-storing tray.

The cover may be slidable.

The system may further comprise a hinge member formed at a side of the pouch-storing tray, such that the cover is opened and closed about the hinge member.

The locking device may include an electromagnet or wire.

The locking device may include a key holder or a mechanical fastener.

The pouch-storing tray may comprise a body formed with a concave installing groove on the top, a cover for covering the installing groove, and an inner tray installed in the installing groove and formed a plurality of cells on the top.

The pouch is packaged one by one and laid down in the cell.

The system may further comprise a tray-storing module for storing the pouch-storing tray in the first receiving frame.

The system may further comprise a tray-storing module for storing the pouch-storing tray filled with pouches by the pouch-storing module in the first receiving frame.

The system may further comprise an individual storing box for storing a large-sized pouch which is relatively large compared to the pouch in the above.

The system may further comprise a barcode reader for inputting a barcode formed on the large-sized pouch and the barcode in the above.

The system may further comprise a taking-in-and-out module for taking in and out the large-sized pouches to the individual storing box and a monitor member for outputting information on the individual storing box and the large-sized pouch taken in and out from from the individual storing box.

The system may further comprise a label print for labeling medicine information on the pouch taken out according to the pouch-taking-out module.

The system may further comprise a warning lamp for warning error in the pouch-taking-in module, the pouch-storing module, and the pouch-storing tray.

The system may further comprise a second camera member for storing change of external environment.

The system may further comprise a container for containing a pouch, a rack for aligning and storing the containers on top, and a second receiving frame for receiving and stacking the plurality of racks in a direction, and the moving device has the rack received in the second receiving frame and the container move.

On the top of the rack are aligned a plurality of concave grooves.

Effects of Invention

According to the invention described in the above, a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula is provided, which automatizes the entire procedures in drugstores such as taking-in, assorting, storing, taking-out medicine according prescriptions, packing, and inventory managing.

According to the invention as in the above, a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula is provided, which since the pouches are stacked and stored stably the pouches can be assorted according to kinds in a minimized space.

According to the invention as in the above, a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula is provided, which performs packaging easily and fast by assorting and taking out the plurality of pouches to be taken out together in a basket when taking out the stored pouches.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 3-1 is a schematic diagram of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3-2 is a perspective view showing a container in FIG. 3-1;

FIG. 3-3 is a perspective view showing a rack on which the container is set in FIG. 3-1;

FIG. 3-4 is a perspective view showing a pouch-storing tray according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3-5 is a perspective view showing a pouch-storing tray according to still another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3-6 is a left side view showing a taking-out basket of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to still another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 3-7 is a schematic diagram of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to still another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of Invention

Below, a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention is described in detail referring to the drawing.

The system for automatic package of chartula according to the invention can perform checking inventory of various medicine, managing of effective dates, ordering, and refunding as well as functions of an automatic storehouse including automatic taking-in, assorting, storing (including medicine needed to be stored in controlled temperature as well as room temperature), taking-out according to the prescriptions.

Also, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention can assort the pouches according to the kinds and store in a minimized space, and can store in cold storage by installing a refrigerating device.

Also, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention can use a robot device with a grabbing means or conveyor means, so as to deliver the various kinds of medicine to a specific location and store, and at the same time to taking out selectively requested medicine from the various kinds of stored medicine. The robot device may be a perpendicularly-reciprocating type, multi-joint arm type, etc, and the grabbing means may include finger type, vacuum absorbing type, magnet type, etc.

Also, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention may recognize the medicine information using barcode, RFID chip, etc. or manually, and alternatively the medicine can be put in mass into an automatic sorting device and the medicine information may be recognized automatically.

Also, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention may be formed with a modular interfacing and central controlling portion with a program managing integrally all the operations, and all information such as medicine, effective date, inventory, etc. can be collected as data, and obtaining statistics of things such as from taking-in to preparing and prescripting of medicine, predicting needs of medicine, expiring of expiration date, etc. and so on can be made as reports.

Also, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention may be formed as an integrated system having all parts necessary for managing a drugstore, or may be divided into a couple of modules linked on a network.

FIG. 3-1 is a schematic diagram of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 3-1, the schematic diagram of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention includes a pouch-storing tray (10) formed with a plurality of cells (11) on the top. The pouch-storing tray (10) forms the plurality of cells (11) by a plurality of dividers (13) forming mesh on the top. The cells (11) are formed concavely with a predetermined depth, so as to store the pouch (1) stacked. By such structures, the pouch (1) is supported and not dispersed or mixed and the original location is maintained stably even when the pouch-storing tray (10) is pushed to and fro while being received. Also, the plurality of cells (11) may be aligned with a constant size, and alternatively the cells (11) can be formed to have different sizes so as to hold pouches (1) of different sizes. Additionally, a plurality of pouch-storing trays (10) are provided, and each of the pouch-storing trays (10) is formed with different thickness, such that the depth of the cell (11) formed in each pouch-storing tray (10) is formed differently.

The plurality of pouch-storing trays (10) may be stacked to be received in a direction in a first receiving frame (20). Such first receiving frame (20) may be formed so as to have one side only opened and other sides closed. On the other hand, such first receiving frame (20) may be installed with a refrigerating device inside so as to maintain a refrigerating state.

FIG. 3-2 is a perspective view showing a container in FIG. 3-1, and FIG. 3-3 is a perspective view showing a rack on which the container is set in FIG. 3-1.

A system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention stores and takes out the containers (3) for receiving the pouches (1) shown in FIG. 3-2. The container (3) is aligned by a rack (30) and stored.

As shown in FIG. 3-3, the rack (30) may have a shape of plate which can receive the container (3). For an example, a plurality of inserting grooves (30a) are disposed on the top of the rack (30), such that the container (3) is inserted in the inserting grooves (30a), so as to be aligned by maintaining its own position on the top of the rack (30).

The plurality of racks (30) may be stacked to be received in a second receiving frame (40) in a direction. In order to receive the rack (30), the second receiving frame (40) may be formed such that one side is opened and closed.

A system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention comprises a pouch-taking-in module for taking in medicine after recognizing information thereof, and a pouch-storing module for moving and storing the medicine, the information of which was recognized in the pouch-taking-in module.

To the pouch (1) may be formed a barcode (not shown) or attached an RFID chip, and the pouch-taking-in module includes basically a recognizing means for recognizing barcodes or RFID chips and a transporting device for transporting the medicine. The recognizing means may include a barcode or RFID chip reader, and the transporting device may include a conveyor device, etc.

And, the pouch-taking-in module takes in the pouches (1) one by one or as a roll with pouches (1) connected in a row, and provides a cutting device (not shown) inside, so as to cut the pouches (1) connected in a roll and stores them in the pouch-storing tray (10), in the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula. Also, the pouch (1) can be stacked in the first receiving frame (20) as received in the pouch-storing tray (10), or in the receiving tray (10a) in which the pouch (10) is received through a different method and then the pouch (1) only may be moved to the pouch-storing tray (10) stacked in the first receiving frame (20) using a moving device (50) described below.

On the other hand, referring to FIG. 3-1, the pouch (1), the container (3), the pouch-receiving tray (10), and the rack (30) may be taken in and out by a first inlet (5a).

Also, the pouch-storing tray (10) may be formed in various structures, and for an example, before the pouch-storing tray (10) is stacked in the first receiving frame (20), the top side thereof is packaged with a protecting film (not shown) so as to protect inside from external environment. And the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula may remove the protecting film when stacking the pouch-storing tray (10) in the first receiving frame (20).

FIG. 3-4 is a perspective view showing a pouch-storing tray according to another embodiment of the invention.

As another embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3-4, the pouch-storing tray (10) may further comprise a cover (15) for covering the top of the pouch-storing tray (10). The cover (15) may be formed transparently with material such as transparent resin or glass, or alternatively opaquely with material such as opaque resin, opaque glass, metal, or wood. And a locking device (not shown) for locking or unlocking the cover (15) to the pouch-storing tray (10) may be included.

The locking device may be a manual type or an automatic type.

For a manual type, the locking device may be a key holder (not shown) formed with a lock installed in the pouch-storing tray (10) and operated by a key, or a mechanical fastener (not shown) having a shape of handle is installed in the pouch-storing tray (10) and operated mechanically. The cover (15) may be slid or connected with the pouch-storing tray (10) through a hinge, so as to open or close using the hinge. And a recognizing sticker (not shown) is attached on an exterior surface of the cover (15) and the pouch-storing tray (10), enabling posting information on the pouch-storing tray (10) or the pouch (1) received in the pouch-storing tray (10).

For an automatic type, an electrically-operating solenoid or an electromagnet may be installed in the pouch-storing tray (10), so as to open and close the cover (15) electrically.

FIG. 3-5 is a perspective view showing a pouch-storing tray according to still another embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 3-5, in a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to another embodiment of the invention, a body (12) of the pouch-storing tray (10) may form an installing groove (12a) on the top, and the cover (15) can open and close the installing groove (12a) at a top side. And in the installing groove (12a) may be installed an inner tray (12b). And the cell (11) may be formed on a top surface of the inner tray (12b). Here, the pouch (1) may be packaged one by one and received in the cell (11) of the inner tray (12b).

Also, a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention may further comprise a pouch-taking-out module for taking out requested medicine from the medicines stored in the pouch-storing module, and the pouch-taking-in module may be configured to perform taking-out of medicine together.

Also, the pouch-storing module of the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention comprises a moving device (50) for loading the pouch (1) recognized by the pouch-storing tray (10) a predetermined cell (11) of pouch-storing tray (10) out of the pouch-storing trays (10) or taking out the pouch (1) loaded in the pouch-storing tray (10). Additionally, the moving device (50) can receive the pouch-storing tray (10) from the first receiving frame (20), load the container (3) to the rack (30), take out the container (3) loaded in the rack (30), and receive the rack (30) from the second receiving frame (40). On the other hand, the pouch-storing tray (10) and the rack (30) may be installed with a separate receiving-guide device (not shown), so as to be received from the first receiving frame (20) and the second receiving frame (40) respectively.

The receiving-guide device, for example, is installed in the first and second receiving frames (20, 40), pushes the pouch-storing tray (10) and the rack (30) from inside, takes out from the first and second receiving frames (20, 40), pulls inward again, and is received into the first and second receiving frames (20, 40), such that the pouch-storing tray (10) and the rack (30) are received into the first and second receiving frames (20, 40) respectively. Also the receiving-guide device, for another embodiment, may include a rack gear (not shown) formed between the first receiving frame (20) and the pouch-storing tray (10) and between the second receiving frame (40) and the rack (30), such that the pouch-storing tray (10) and the rack (30) can be received.

FIG. 3-6 is a left side view showing a taking-out basket of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to still another embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 3-6, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention may comprise a taking-out basket (60) for holding the pouch (1) taken out according to the pouch-taking-out module and releasing it to the outside. The taking-out basket (60) includes a concave receiving room (60a) formed inside and a handle member (60b) formed at a side, enabling the user to use conveniently.

The taking-out basket (60) may be formed to be received in a third receiving frame (61) formed between the first and second receiving frames (20, 40). Such taking-out basket (60) may be formed plurally, and disposed side on top of each other vertically in the third receiving frame (61). Each of the above plurality of taking-out baskets (60) receives different pouches (1) of different groups and maintains a waiting state for releasing.

Here, referring to FIG. 3-1, the taking-out basket (60) may be taken in and out through a second inlet (5b).

FIG. 3-7 is a schematic diagram of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to still another embodiment of the invention.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the pouch-storing tray (10), the first receiving frame (20), the container (3), the rack (30), the second receiving frame (40), the pouch-taking-in module, the pouch-storing module, the pouch-taking-out module, the taking-out basket (60), and the moving device (50) may be same in roles and functions, but their structures may be different. Thus what is overlapped with the previous embodiment is omitted and what is changed is described.

As shown in FIG. 3-7, a plurality of racks (30) may have different heights and areas so as to receive the containers (3) of different sizes. And the second receiving frame (40) may have different heights of the receiving member (40a) for receiving each of the racks (30) formed with different heights.

The front side of the frame (f) is opened, and the third receiving frame (61) is disposed in a lower portion of the frame (f) to be formed in front of the first receiving frame (20). And on the top of the third receiving frame (61) may be formed a plurality of taking-out baskets (60) side by side on the top surface. Also the pouch-receiving tray (10a) is disposed in a lower portion of the frame (f) to be formed in front of the second receiving frame (40). By these structures, the structures of the first and second inlets (5a, 5b) of the embodiment may not be included in another embodiments.

The moving device (50) may be formed plurally, and for the moving device (50), a robot device having a grabbing means, conveyor means, etc. can be used. For the robot device, a perpendicularly reciprocating type, multi-joint arm type, etc may be used, and for the grabbing means, finger type, vacuum absorbing type, magnet type, etc. may be used. Also, for the grabbing means, a plurality of grabbing tools may be provided radially and an appropriate one can be selected and used according to the shape of the medicine to grab. On the other hand, the moving device (50) of the robot device type may be installed with a first camera member (not shown), so as to take pictures of the pouch (1) to be taken in, barcode of the pouch (1) to be taken out, or the image of medicine in the pouch (1).

Also, the system according to the invention may be used for storing medicine of various shapes, and especially it may further comprise an individual storing box (not shown) for storing a large-sized pouch (not shown) which is relatively large compared to the pouch (1) in the above.

And the system may further comprise a barcode reader (not shown) for inputting a barcode formed on the large-sized pouch and the barcode in the above, and a taking-in-and-out module for taking in and out the large-sized pouches to the individual storing box. Also, the system may further comprise a monitor member (not shown) for outputting information on the individual storing box and the large-sized pouch taken in and out from from the individual storing box. Such monitor can be used singularly or plurally.

The system may further comprise a label print (not shown) for labeling medicine information on the pouch (1) taken out according to the pouch-taking-out module.

The system may further comprise a warning lamp (not shown) for warning error in the pouch-taking-in module, the pouch-storing module, and the pouch-storing module, and a second camera member (not shown) for storing change of external environment, so as to store the images of personnel handling medicine in taking in and out and enable to be prepared for situations of tracking in medicinal accident.

As in the above, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention has been described referring to the drawings, but the invention is not limited by the embodiments of the above and the drawings, and various corrections or variations can be possible by one of ordinary skill in the art which the invention belongs to.

PRIORITY 4

Field of Invention

The invention relates to a general automation system in drugstores, more specifically to a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula, which performs functions of automatic taking-in, assorting, and storing of medicine.

Background of Technology

At a regular small or middle-sized drugstore, if the patient presents a prescription, the pharmacist or counter staff receives it, prepares medicine according to the contents of the prescription, and gives them to the patient.

However, since the above procedures are performed manually, it takes too much time and effort, and error-prone such that it often packages different medicine and ineffective due to much manpower needed.

Also at large-sized drugstores, even though there were a receiving department for receiving prescriptions, a medicine-preparing department for preparing medicine according to the prescriptions, etc separately, the receiving, preparing, packaging, etc. were not managed automatically and systematically, still being unable to solve the problems at the small or middle-sized drugstores.

Thus, it is needed to innovate to satisfy the needs such as the shortening of time for preparation, optimizing of inventory management, providing of environment for safe medication, and minimization of managing manpower, through overall automation inside a drugstore.

DISCLOSURE

Problems to Solve

In order to solve the above problems, the invention provides a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula, which performs functions of automatic taking-in, assorting, and storing of medicine.

Solutions to Problems

According to the invention for achieving the above goals, a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula for performing entire procedures in drugstore automatically comprises: a a taking-out basket with a receiving room having opened top; and a taking-out-basket-receiving frame, wherein the pouches are assorted in groups into the taking-out basket.

The taking-out basket may comprise a handle member formed protruding at a side thereof.

The taking-out basket may comprise a concave inserting groove on the top.

The inserting groove is formed plurally, on both sides of each inserting groove protrude section protrusions.

The system may further comprise a power-supplying device formed at a side of the basket receiving frame and a gear member for receiving power from the power-supplying device and moving the basket receiving frame from bottom to top and from top to bottom.

The system may further comprise a frame for connecting the basket-receiving frame to an internal end movably up and down, the power-supplying device may be an electric motor, and the gear member engages a pinion fixed to the electric motor and and a rack fixed to the internal end of the frame and engaging the pinion.

The system may further comprise a frame with a column bar formed upright in an internal side, and one side of the basket-receiving frame is penetrated by and installed in the column bar, so as to allow the basket-receiving frame move up and down.

Effects of Invention

According to the invention in the above, an automatic system for automatic taking in, assorting, and storing of medicine can maximize the convenience by assorting and releasing medicine automatically.

According to the invention in the above, packaging can be done easily and fast by assorting a plurality of pouches to be released in a single time and releasing in a basket.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 4-1 is a schematic diagram of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4-2 is a right side cross-sectional view showing a taking-out basket of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4-3 is a plan view showing the basket-receiving frame in FIG. 4-1;

FIG. 4-4 is a diagram showing the taking-out basket removed from FIG. 4-3; and

FIG. 4-5 is a diagram of a usage state showing an operation with the basket-receiving frame exploded.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of Invention

Below, a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention is described in detail referring to the drawing.

The system for automatic package of chartula according to the invention can perform checking inventory of various medicine, managing of effective dates, ordering, and refunding as well as functions of an automatic storehouse including automatic taking-in, assorting, storing (including medicine needed to be stored in controlled temperature as well as room temperature), taking-out according to the prescriptions.

Also, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention can assort the pouches according to the kinds and store in a minimized space, and can store in cold storage by installing a refrigerating device.

Also, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention can use a robot device with a grabbing means or conveyor means, so as to deliver the various kinds of medicine to a specific location and store, and at the same time to taking out selectively requested medicine from the various kinds of stored medicine. The robot device may be a perpendicularly-reciprocating type, multi-joint arm type, etc, and the grabbing means may include finger type, vacuum absorbing type, magnet type, etc.

Also, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention may recognize the medicine information using barcode, RFID chip, etc. or manually, and alternatively the medicine can be put in mass into an automatic sorting device and the medicine information may be recognized automatically.

Also, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention may be formed with a modular interfacing and central controlling portion with a program managing integrally all the operations, and all information such as medicine, effective date, inventory, etc. can be collected as data, and obtaining statistics of things such as from taking-in to preparing and prescripting of medicine, predicting needs of medicine, expiring of expiration date, etc. and so on can be made as reports.

Also, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention may be formed as an integrated system having all parts necessary for managing a drugstore, or may be divided into a couple of modules linked on a network.

FIG. 4-1 is a schematic diagram of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 4-1, a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention comprises a pouch-storing tray (10) formed with a plurality of cells (not shown) on the top. The pouch-storing tray (10) forms the plurality of cells with a plurality of dividers in mesh shape. The cell is formed concave with a predetermined depth for stacking and storing a pouch. By such structures, the pouch (1) is supported and not dispersed or mixed and the original location is maintained stably even when the pouch-storing tray (10) is pushed to and fro while being received.

The plurality of pouch-storing trays (10) may be stacked to be received in a direction in a first receiving frame (20). Such first receiving frame (20) may be formed so as to have one side only opened and other sides closed. On the other hand, such first receiving frame (20) may be installed with a refrigerating device inside so as to maintain a refrigerating state.

A system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention stores and takes out the containers for receiving the pouches. The container is aligned by a rack (30) and stored.

The rack (30) may have a shape of plate which can receive the container. For an example, a plurality of inserting grooves (not shown) are disposed on the top of the rack (30), such that the container is inserted in the inserting grooves, so as to be aligned by maintaining its own position on the top of the rack (30).

The plurality of racks (30) may be stacked to be received in a second receiving frame (40) in a direction. In order to receive the rack (30), the second receiving frame (40) may be formed such that one side is opened and closed.

A system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention comprises a pouch-taking-in module for taking in medicine after recognizing information thereof, and a pouch-storing module for moving and storing the medicine, the information of which was recognized in the pouch-taking-in module.

To the pouch may be formed a barcode or attached an RFID chip, and the pouch-taking-in module includes basically a recognizing means for recognizing barcodes or RFID chips and a transporting device for transporting the medicine. The recognizing means may include a barcode or RFID chip reader, and the transporting device may include a conveyor device, etc.

And, the pouch-taking-in module takes in the pouches one by one or as a roll with pouches connected in a row, and provides a cutting device (not shown) inside, so as to cut the pouches connected in a roll and stores them in the pouch-storing tray (10), in the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula. Also, the pouch can be stacked in the first receiving frame (20) as received in the pouch-storing tray (10), or in the receiving tray (10a) in which the pouch (10) is received through a different method and then the pouch only may be moved to the pouch-storing tray (10) stacked in the first receiving frame (20) using a moving device (50) described below.

Also, a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention may further comprise a pouch-taking-out module for taking out requested medicine from the medicines stored in the pouch-storing module, and the pouch-taking-in module may be configured to perform taking-out of medicine together.

Also, the pouch-storing module of the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention comprises a moving device (50) for loading the pouch recognized by the pouch-storing tray (10) a predetermined cell (11) of pouch-storing tray (10) out of the pouch-storing trays (10) or taking out the pouch loaded in the pouch-storing tray (10). Additionally, the moving device (50) can receive the pouch-storing tray (10) from the first receiving frame (20), load the container (3) to the rack (30), take out the container (3) loaded in the rack (30), and receive the rack (30) from the second receiving frame (40). On the other hand, the pouch-storing tray (10) and the rack (30) may be installed with a separate receiving-guide device (not shown), so as to be received from the first receiving frame (20) and the second receiving frame (40) respectively.

The receiving-guide device, for example, is installed in the first and second receiving frames (20, 40), pushes the pouch-storing tray (10) and the rack (30) from inside, takes out from the first and second receiving frames (20, 40), pulls inward again, and is received into the first and second receiving frames (20, 40), such that the pouch-storing tray (10) and the rack (30) are received into the first and second receiving frames (20, 40) respectively. Also the receiving-guide device, for another embodiment, may include a rack gear (not shown) formed between the first receiving frame (20) and the pouch-storing tray (10) and between the second receiving frame (40) and the rack (30), such that the pouch-storing tray (10) and the rack (30) can be received.

The moving device (50) may be formed plurally, and for the moving device (50), a robot device having a grabbing means, conveyor means, etc. can be used. For the robot device, a perpendicularly reciprocating type, multi-joint arm type, etc may be used, and for the grabbing means, finger type, vacuum absorbing type, magnet type, etc. may be used. Also, for the grabbing means, a plurality of grabbing tools may be provided radially and an appropriate one can be selected and used according to the shape of the medicine to grab.

Also, the system according to the invention may be used for storing medicine of various shapes, and especially it may further comprise an individual storing box (not shown) for storing a large-sized pouch (not shown) which is relatively large compared to the pouch in the above.

The system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention may comprise a taking-out basket (60) for holding the pouch taken out according to the pouch-taking-out module and releasing it to the outside.

FIG. 4-2 is a right side cross-sectional view showing a taking-out basket of a system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to an embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 4-2, the taking-out basket (60) includes a concave receiving room (60a) formed inside and a handle member (60b) formed at a side, enabling the user to use conveniently.

FIG. 4-3 is a plan view showing the basket-receiving frame in FIG. 4-1, and FIG. 4-4 is a diagram showing the taking-out basket removed from FIG. 4-3.

Referring to FIGS. 4-3 and 4-4, the taking-out basket (60) supports at a top side of the basket-receiving frame (61), and the basket-receiving frame (61) may be disposed in front of the first receiving frame (20) referring to FIG. 4-1. Such taking-out basket (60) may be formed plurally, and each of the above plurality of taking-out baskets (60) receives different pouches of different groups and maintains a waiting state for releasing.

The basket-receiving frame (61) may support a plurality of taking-out basket (60) on the top, and referring to FIG. 4-4, a plurality of concave inserting grooves (61a) may be formed on the top in order to support stably the plurality of taking-out baskets (60), and a section protrusion (61b) may be formed between the plurality of inserting groove (61a), forming border of each inserting groove (61a). Thus the convenience of usage may be increased by make it easy to assorting the taking-out basket (60) to one of the plurality of inserting grooves (61a).

Such basket-receiving frame (61) is engaged to one internal side of the frame (f) movably up and down, for an example, it may be a left side internal surface of the frame (f) or a right side internal surface. And a vertical column bar (f1) is formed inside one side of the frame (f) such that the basket-receiving frame (61) engages so as to move for bottom to top or from top to bottom, and one side of the basket-receiving frame (61) may penetrate and engage the column bar (f1). Also, in the basket-receiving frame (61) is formed a power-supplying device (63), and in the power-supplying device (63) and the frame (f) is formed a gear member (70) for gear-engaging the power-supplying device (63) and the frame (f).

The power-supplying device (63) may be an electric motor for an example, and the gear member (70) may be rack (71) and pinion (73) for converting rotation to translation.

FIG. 4-5 is a diagram of a usage state showing an operation with the basket-receiving frame exploded.

As shown in FIG. 4-5, the pinion (73) is connected to the power-supplying device (63), and in the one side of the frame (f) is formed the rack (71) gear-engaging with the pinion (73), such that the basket-receiving frame (61) can move from bottom to top or from top to bottom by the power of the power-supplying device (63).

Moving the basket-receiving frame (61) from left to right or from right to left by applying the up-and-down moving structure of the basket-receiving frame (61) as in the above may be apparent to one skilled in the arts who changes the structures.

As in the above, the system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula according to the invention has been described referring to the drawings, but the invention is not limited by the embodiments of the above and the drawings, and various corrections or variations can be possible by one of ordinary skill in the art which the invention belongs to.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A system for automatic storage and taking out of chartula comprising:

a cabinet having a front surface;

a plurality of pouch-storing trays, wherein each of the pouch-storing tray comprises a plurality cells on a top surface thereof;

a first receiving frame for receiving and stacking the plurality of pouch-storing trays in a direction, wherein the first receiving frame is disposed in the cabinet;

a taking-in tray for taking in medicine from outside to inside;

a taking-in tray inlet provided through the front surface of the cabinet, wherein the taking-in tray inlet comprises a first locking device;

a taking-out basket for taking out medicine from inside to outside;

a taking-out basket outlet provided through the front surface of the cabinet, wherein the taking-out backer outlet comprises a second locking device;

a pouch-taking-in module for taking in medicine after recognizing information thereof;

a pouch-storing module for storing pouches in pouch-storing cells predetermined according to the information recognized in the pouch-taking-in module;

a pouch-taking-out module for finding and taking out a requested pouch from the pouch-storing tray;

a moving device for receiving pouches following the pouch-taking-in module and the pouch-taking-out module and moving the pouches,

wherein the taking-in tray comprise a lid and the lid is configured to be locked and unlocked with a third locking device,

wherein the third locking device is opened and closed when the taking-in tray is in the cabinet and the first locking device is locked.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first locking device is opened and closed by a controller in the cabinet from inside.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the third locking device is opened and closed by the controller in the cabinet from inside.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cells are formed concavely by dividers.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cells are formed with different sizes.

The rack may may be configured to have a plurality of grooves on top aligned.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the moving device is a robot device installed with a grabbing means or a machine device having a linearly-moving pusher, and the grabbing means may be one of finger type, vacuum absorbing type, and magnet type.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the robot device is one of perpendicularly-reciprocating type and a multi-joint arm.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the pouch-taking-in module comprises a barcode or an RFID chip for recognizing information on medicine.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transporting device for taking out to outside the pouch or the container moved by the moving deice or taking in a pouch or the container from outside.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein a top of the pouch-storing tray is packaged with a protecting film, and the system further comprises a tray-taking-in module for removing the protecting film with a protecting-film remover.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tray-storing module for storing the pouch-storing tray in the first receiving frame.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tray-storing module for storing the pouch-storing tray filled with pouches by the pouch-storing module in the first receiving frame.