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

• US 7,454,261 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2005
• Issued: 11/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JVM Company Limited
• Original Assignee: JVM Company Limited
• Inventors: Kim, Jun-ho
• Primary Examiner(s): Kosowski; Alexander J
• Application Number:
  US11/144,817
• Publication Number:
  US 20060201107A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,261 Days
• Field of Search: 700/115, 700/117, 700/213, 700/231, 700/236, 700/242, 700/244, 531/54, 221/9
• US Class Current: 700/117
• 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 comprising a plurality of cartridges 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, and a connection lead, each cartridge comprising:

a socket connected to the connection lead;

a cassette installation sensor configured to sense an installation state of the cassette;

a preparing drug sensor configured to sense a passage of a tablet;

an inner memory configured 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 command related to cassette positions,

wherein the control unit controls that information read from the cassette memory through the socket in the cartridge is transmitted to the second data transmitting/receiving unit together with the cartridge information.