Background Art An automatic tablet dispensing and packaging system is a machine to assort the medicine prescribed by a doctor and wrap dosage up in a bag automatically. It generally equips a plurality of tablet cassettes containing different sets of tablets, which are installed on the main body of a system with various arrangements, and controlled to dispense prescribed tablets as many as one dosage. The tablets dispensed from cassettes are transferred to a packaging unit, via a hopper positioned beneath a dispensing unit, so as to pack the dosages into bags and seal the bags.

Several automatic tablet dispensing and packaging systems have been invented to fulfil the function as

mentioned above.

Korean Utility Model No. 2002-5029 discloses a large size automatic tablet dispensing and packaging system capable of accommodating 300 or more tablet cassettes. A cassette-mounting table installing multi-stacked tablet cassettes can slide out for cassette replacement or tablet refill. Although a sliding type system enabling position alteration can install maximum number of tablet cassettes in a minimum space, its manufacturing cost increases due to the complicate structure, and the maintenance work is difficult relatively.

An example of a mid size automatic tablet dispensing and packaging system accommodating 100 through 300 tablet cassettes is shown in Korean Patent Application No. 1986- 2173. It discloses tablet cassette array plates in a horizontal alignment in a shelf construction. Korean Patent Application No. 1990-12411 discloses polar array of tablet cassettes in a vertical alignment. Compared to the large size system, the mid size automatic tablet dispensing and packaging system has a limited space for installing cassettes and it can not alter the position of a mounting table, while the structure of a system is relatively simple.

In such prior arts, however, a conventional shelf Y type system requires an elongated hopper to guide the j ol = :<BR> <BR> tablets released from cassettes down to the packaging unit<BR> <BR> ..... because tablet, cassettes are arrayed in a horizontal alignment. Accordingly, the packaging time in the packaging unit is delayed since horizontally elongated hoppers hold the tablets for a'longer period of time. Furthermore, the

conventional shelf type system requires a wider side wall of the system because tablet cassettes are stacked toward all directions.

Further, the shelf type system requires a higher hopper having an appropriate inclined angle so as to convey tablets released from cassettes to the exit of the hopper.

It increases the total height of the hopper and the system, thereby deteriorating space efficiency. To resolve the problem mentioned above, a conveyor belt for receiving tablets dropped from cassettes has been utilized, thus tablets move to a small hopper installed in the middle of the system. However, it has disadvantages such as a complicate system and the packaging time delay.

Furthermore, in the shelf type system, the tablets have to drop to the surface of a hopper, and then roll or bounce in the hopper for a longer period of time. Therefore, tablets can be contaminated by the debris/dust generated and accumulated at the hopper, which may lead to increase of danger factors because even a slight amount of the tablet debris, if mixed with another prescription, may cause a negative medical affect on patients.

Accordingly, ejection paths of cassettes and the hopper surface should be cleaned regularly. However, the cleaning as well as the maintenance of system parts demands a lot of time for disassembling and assembling the system.

A horizontal type system among prior arts discloses a largely elongated hopper, enabling it to receive tablets dropped from cassettes in horizontal alignment. In addition, a conveyor belt is installed beneath the exit of the hopper

for guiding the dropped tablets to the packaging unit.

Therefore, a horizontal type system requires the larger bottom space to aLign tablet cassettes in horizontal array, and deteriorates <space efficiency because the upper space above tablet cassettes can hot be utilized.

Furthermore, it is disadvantageous since the released tablets from cassettes drop to the'conveyor belt via the hopper surface and take for a longer period of time, thereby decreasing the tablet packaging speed. Further, it is also necessary to disassemble all system so as to clean tablet debris ans dust accumulated on the hopper or the conveyor belt, thereby increasing the maintenance time.

Accordingly, the conventional mid size dispensing and packaging systems involve several problems such as deteriorating space efficiency, delay of tablet packaging time, and difficulty in cleaning or maintenance work.

Disclosure of Invention The present invention is contrived to overcome the disadvantages of the shelf type or the horizontal type of the conventional mid size dispensing and packaging systems.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic tablet dispensing and packaging system having compact structured tablet cassette array plates, where tablet cassettes containing different set of tablets are arranged. Thereby it leads to minimizing the size of a hopper, reducing the time of packaging, and minimizing the debris or dust of tablets.

Another object is to improve machine space efficiency by enabling more tablet cassette accommodation in a limited machine space in the shelf type or the horizontal type dispensing and packaging system.

Other object is to provide a compact dispensing and packaging system enabling more tablet cassette accommodation while reserving the space within the system for an operator to conveniently work on tablet cassettes for cassette replacement or tablet refill in the cassettes.

A still further object is to increase the time efficiency for cleaning and maintenance work by employing removable cassette array plates capable of attaching tablet cassettes.

To accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a mid size dispensing and packaging system having compact structured cassette array plates.

More particularly, it provides an apparatus for an automatic tablet dispensing and packaging system, which collects tablets released from tablet cassettes aligning on the cassette array plates of a dispensing unit, and packages tablets in a packaging unit placed at the lower part of a system. The tablet cassette array plates are installed as surrounding alignment along the interior of the system, thereby reserving the free space within the system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a front view of an automatic tablet dispensing and packaging system depicting the system

structure in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plane view of an automatic tablet dispensing and .. packaging system depicting the system structure in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3 is a side view of an automatic tablet dispensing and packaging system depicting the system structure in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4 is a side view showing an embodiment attaching the tablet cassette array plate at rear frame of a system in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5 is an illustration depicting the system being detached one part of removable tablet cassette array plates in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6 is a plane view showing an embodiment being detached the tablet cassette array plates at rear frame of a system in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 7 is a plane view showing an open door having tablet cassette array plates at the front of a system in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 8 is a front view showing an open door having tablet cassette array plates at the front of the system in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 9 is an imaginary front view of the conventional shelf type system having an equivalent number of tablet cassettes as the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Hereinafter, referring to appended drawings, the distinctive structures and elements of the embodiments of

the present invention are described in detail.

Figure 1 through Figure 6 show an embodiment having conventional glass doors, where tablet cassettes are not installed, constructed on the front and each side frame of a system.

As shown, in Figure 1 and Figure 2, a system 1 provides a front frame 3 and a rear frame 5 respectively, at the front and rear parts of the system. A hinged open door 7a is installed beside the middle part of the front frame 3, and a control unit 60 is installed at the front open door.

A tablet cassette array plate 13c attaching tablet cassettes 9c is provided at the middle part of the rear frame 5, and an opening element 17 is installed behind the back surface of the array plate. The opening element 17 and, the tablet cassette array plate 13c are bound by the fastening elements 21c, 21d.

Further, at each side panel of the front frame 3 and the rear frame 5, the hinged open doors 7a, 7b are provided, but may be replaced by the sliding open doors. Particularly, the opening element 17 installed at the middle of the rear frame 5 can employ either a sliding type or a hinged type open door.

At the interior of each opening door 7b, the tablet cassettes 9a, 9b are installed on one side of array plates, and on opposite side, the tablet cassette array plates 13a, 13b having protrusion elements lla, llb along the vertical line of each cassette are employed in vertical alignment.

By facing both protrusion elements lla, lib, an ejection

path for tablets is formed. Further, a free space 15 is formed at the middle of the system 1 naturally by placing the tablet cassettes in surrounding alignment along the inside of the system 1.

Meanwhile, among a pair of tablet cassette array plates 13 installed at each side of the system 1, the tablet cassette array plate 13a facing toward the free space 15, is a fixed type array plate being fastened on both front and rear frame by a screw. The fixed type array plate 13a and the tablet cassette array plate 13b facing toward the open door 7b are bound by a fastening element 21a. The fastening element 21a as shown in Figure 1 is at bolt, and penetrates a contact portion 23 formed by facing the protrusion elements lla, llb.

The tablet cassette array plates 13b facing toward the open door 7b are divided into a constant width along ; the. longitudinal direction, thereby each divided array plates is removable.

The removable tablet cassette array plates 13b employ a fastening element 21b which is corresponding to the fastening element 21a for the tablet cassette array plates 13a. The corresponding fastening element 21b as shown in Figure 1 is a nut having a groove on the head part for easy rotating using even coins. Further, the nut has a stopping element 24 at the bottom of the fastening element 21b to prevent it from dropping although the nut and the fastening element 21a are separated completely.

As shown in Figure 4, the fastening elements 21c, 21d for combining the opening element 17 and the tablet

cassette array plates 13c installed at, the rear frame 5, can be constructed as same as the fastening elements 21a, 21b for combining a pair of tablet cassette array plates 13.

The conventional opening means, for example, a hinged type door can replace the opening element 17.

It is desirable that the tablet cassette array plate 13c installed at the middle of the rear frame 5, is as long as the width of the free space 15.

Figure 6 is a side view showing an embodiment being detached the tablet cassette array plate 13c of a rear .. frame 5. ; .. I As shown in Figure 2, the installing space for the fixed type tablet cassette array plate 13a should secure an empty space E so as to prevent the tablet cassettes (\ installed at tablet cassette array plate 13c from,- interference. When we consider an embodiment showing in Figure 6, we can install tablet cassettes at the empty" ; : space E.

If the number of a vertical array line of tablet cassettes installed at the rear frame 5 is 4 as shown in Figure 2, the number of installed tablet cassettes is not changed even the embodiment showing in Figure 6 is considered. However, if the number of a vertical array line of tablet cassettes is over 4, an embodiment in Figure 2 can install the more number of tablet cassettes than an embodiment in Figure 6.

In addition to an embodiment shown in Figure 1 through Figure 6, an embodiment shown in Figure 7,8 can increase the number of tablet cassettes by replacing

conventional glass door with an open door 7c having tablet cassette array plate 13d. The open door 7c hinges on the system 1. The front and back part of the open door can be opened respectively, and the tablet cassette array plate 13d having a plurality of tablet cassettes 9d is installed at the inside of the door. Namely, the tablet cassette array plates 13a, 13b are installed as surrounding alignment along the interior of the system and fixed to the front and rear frames 3,5. Furthermore, the tablet cassette array plate 13d attaching a plurality of tablet cassettes 9d is installed at the interior of the open door 7c that hinges on the system 1.

At the open door 7c depicted in Figure 7, tablet cassettes 9d are placed at only one side of the tablet cassette array plate 13d. However, if necessary, it is'. :, possible to place tablet cassettes at both sides of the : tablet cassette array plate as the tablet cassette array. plate 13a, 13b, 13c installed in the system 1. Furthermore, the open door 7c, mentioned above, can be placed not only at the front of a system 1, but also at any side including a front, rear, left, or right side of the system 1.

Hereinafter, , referring to apparatus mentioned above, the operation procedures and the effectiveness of the embodiments of the present invention are described in detail.

An automatic tablet dispensing and packaging system in accordance with the present invention is classified as a mid size system accommodating 100 through 300 tablet

cassettes. The number of tablet cassettes, of course, can be below 100 or over 300 by controlling the size of a tablet cassette, if necessary.

By operating the machine, the tablets released from the tablet cassettes 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d installed on the tablet cassette array plates 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d of a system 1 are transferred to a hopper 40, via an ejection path 12 constructed on the back side of the tablet cassette array plates 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d., Thereafter, tablets collected at the hopper 40 are guided to a packaging unit 50 so as to pack dosage into bags.

The hopper 40 in present invention can be reduced to the more compact size than the elongated hopper of a conventional shelf type system, because every ejection paths 12 can be accommodated in the internal area, which surrounds the free space 15 of the system 1. Accordingly, an embodiment as shown in Figure 1 through Figure 6 can accommodate about 160 normal sized tablet cassettes, and an embodiment as shown in Figure 7,8 can accommodate about 200 normal sized tablet cassettes.

Supposed to place 160 tablet cassettes simply in a rectangular alignment at the conventional shelf type machine, the shape of a system should be elongated as denoted by one-dot chain line in Figure 9. It is obvious that a system should be the more elongated shape for accommodating 205 cassettes. Therefore, compared to the wall area occupied by tablet cassettes, the area for the conventional shelf type machine is 2.6 times as much as that for the present invention.

Furthermore, a conventional shelf type system requires an elongated hopper as denoted by one-dot chain line in Figure 9i. Accordingly, it requires a higher hopper having an appropriate inclined angle so as to convey tablets swiftly. ; i. It increases the total height of the hopper and the'system, thereby deteriorating space efficiency. To avoid a higher hopper, a conveyor belt system can be considered. However, it has disadvantages including a complicate system and the time delay as mentioned previously. Meanwhile, the size of a hopper 40 in present invention fits in a compact quadrilateral shape, thereby the convey belt system for receiving tablets ; dropped from the elongated hopper of a conventional horizontal type system is not necessary. Consequently, an automatic tablet dispensing and packaging system having the fixed cassette tables in accordance with the present invention maximizes the machine space efficiency by optimal. cassette capacity in a unit space.

Furthermore, when tablet debris and dust are accumulated on the hopper 40 or the wall surface of an ejection path 11 in the process of transferring tablets to a packaging unit 50, the present invention provides the possibility to detach a tablet cassette array plate and expose the wall surface of an ejection path to outside, thereby cleaning the system easily. A hopper 40 also is easy to clean the contaminated surface after detaching from a system by a normal way because : it is fixed beneath the lower part of the ejection paths.

The method for detaching a tablet cassette array

plate 13b for cleaning or maintenance work is as follows.

First, opening the open door 7b installed at the side or front of a system 1. Next, rotating the nut, the fastening element 21b, installed on the divided and removable tablet cassette array plate 13b', 13b"to be cleaned or mended, and then separating from the fastening element 21a, the bolts. By separating the fastening element 21a from fastening element 21b, each divided and removable tablet cassette array plate 13b', 13b"can be detached easily from the fixed tablet cassette array plate 13a. Figure 5 is an illustration depicting the system that one array plate has been detached among the divided and removable tablet cassette array plates 13b', 13b".

Referring to Figure 7, the tablet cassette array plate 13c formed on the rear frame 5 can be also detached by the method as mentioned above. Further, an array plate 13c can be easily detached by replacing the tablet cassette array plate installed on an open door with a removable plate, and by employing an identical opening element as an opening element 17 behind the back side of the cassette plate. Accordingly, the cleaning or maintenance work can be processed easily owing to exposing the ejection path 12 after detaching work.

The free space 15 is essential element in the present invention to exchange the empty tablet cassettes 9a, 9c since tablet cassettes are installed as fixed type instead of sliding type. Namely, among a pair of the tablet cassette array plates 13, the tablet cassette 9b facing toward the open door 7b can be easily exchanged while

opening the open door 7b. The tablet cassette array plate installed at the inside of the open door 7c is also easily exchangeable by the front opening. Meanwhile, the tablet cassette 9a, 9c facing toward the interior of the system 1 can be exchanged after opening the open door 7a, 7c which is formed at the front frame of the system 1. Namely, the cassettes are exchanged by utilizing the free space 15 formed in the middle of the system 1. Accordingly, a system operator conveniently works on exchanging the tablet cassettes 9a, 9c facing toward the interior of. the system 1 without any interference with other structural elements by opening the open door 7a.

As discussed above, an advantage of the present invention is that the compact structured tablet cassette array plate enables the smaller wall space, and the stacking structure of tablet cassettes enables the smaller base space, thereby minimizing the installation space for a machine.

The present invention provides an automatic tablet dispensing and packaging system having the fixed type cassette tables of a shelf type or a horizontal type machine, instead of sliding type cassette tables, thereby maximizing the machine space efficiency by optimal cassette capacity in a unit space.

Furthermore, a compact hopper construction decreases the time period for transferring the released tablets to a packaging unit, and reduces the time for contaminating the tablets, thereby substantially improving the packaging time.

Further, the removable tablet cassette array plate

enables the easy operation due to the smaller weight of the tablet cassette array plate. In addition, it contributes to reduce the time for cleaning and maintenance work of the tablet ejection paths.

Furthermore, the tablet cassettes can be exchanged easily by utilizing the open doors installed at the front and rear frame. Particularly, the free space formed in the middle of a system enables an easy replacement of cassettes or tablet refill in the cassettes, thereby maximizing satisfaction of the pharmacists and system operators.

Since those having ordinary knowledge and skill in the art of the present invention will recognize additional modifications and applications within the scope thereof, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings described above.