Tablet automatic packaging machine and method for automatically recognizing cassettes coupled to cartridges thereof

• US 20060201107A1
• Filed: 06/06/2005
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JVM Company Limited
• Original Assignee: JVM Company Limited
• Inventors: Kim, Jun-ho
• Granted Patent: US 7,454,261 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/154
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/103 for packaging pills or tablets
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 57/00 Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices registering wrapping or container-forming material fed from rolls B65B41/18
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

Tablet automatic packaging machine and method for automatically recognizing cassettes of the cartridges of the tablet automatic packaging machine are disclosed. The tablet automatic packing machine includes a plurality of cartridges arranged in multiple layers. Each cartridge is coupled to a tablet cassette having a cassette memory in which tablet information or cassette information is recorded. Also, the cartridge comprises an inner memory to store cartridge information, a first data transmitting/receiving unit to transmit and receive commands related to preparation therefrom/thereto, a second data transmitting/receiving unit to transmit and receive commands related to cassette positions, and a control unit to control transmission from the cartridge information read from the inner memory to an external device based on reception of the commands related to cassette positions.

Claims

1. A tablet automatic packing machine in which a plurality of cartridges are arranged in multiple layers, each cartridge being coupled to a tablet cassette having a cassette memory in which tablet information or cassette information is recorded, wherein the cartridge comprises:

an inner memory to store cartridge information;

a first data transmitting/receiving unit to transmit and receive commands related to preparation therefrom/thereto;

a second data transmitting/receiving unit to transmit and receive commands related to cassette positions; and

a control unit to control transmission from the cartridge information read from the inner memory to an external device based on reception of the commands related to cassette positions.

2. The machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control unit controls that information read from the cassette memory is transmitted to the second data transmitting/receiving unit together with the cartridge information.

3. The machine as set forth in claim 2, wherein the second data transmitting/receiving unit is an RS232 to RS485 converter.

4. The machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control unit reads information recorded in the cassette memory and cartridge information recorded in the inner memory through an I²C bus.

5. The machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second data transmitting/receiving units are an RS232 to RS485 converter, respectively.

6. A cassette automatic recognition method for automatically recognizing cassettes coupled to cartridges, comprising the steps of:

reading cartridge information recorded in an inner memory;

reading information recorded in a cassette memory of a tablet cassette which is mounted thereon;

checking as to whether command data are received through data transmitting/receiving units which are different from each other; and

controlling drive of the mounted tablet cassette based on the command data received through the data transmitting/receiving units or transmitting the cartridge information thereto through a corresponding command data receiving path.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6, further comprising:

transmitting information read from the cassette memory of the mounted cassette together with the cartridge information thereto.