JP2010085270A - Specimen container supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for enlarging a storing capacity of a storing box without changing the size of a specimen container supply device. <P>SOLUTION: Transfer bodies 20a, 20b, 20c are provided between a storage bottom part 16 of specimen container storing boxes 10a-10d and a sending-out storage part 18, and a specimen container moved to the transfer bodies 20a, 20b, 20c by inclination of the storage bottom part 16 is placed and raised onto upper surfaces of the transfer bodies 20a, 20b, 20c, and then transferred to the sending-out storage part 18. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is provided in a sample processing system that automatically performs processing such as centrifugation necessary for performing various tests based on a sample such as blood collected from a subject, and the sample is used for sorting necessary for sorting and dispensing. The present invention relates to a sample container supply device for supplying a sample container.

  In recent years, processing required to inspect and analyze sample fluids (blood, urine) collected from subjects in medical facilities such as large hospitals and inspection centers (centrifugation and inspection, dispensing by analysis item) A sample processing system is used, and as a part of the system, about 100 kinds of dispensing sample containers are accommodated, and the direction of the specified sample container (upward opening surface) is aligned for each sample information. A sample container supply device for supplying to an internal process device is used.

In addition, since a large number of sample containers are used depending on the test contents (blood sedimentation test, bioscience test, serology test, hematology test, blood glucose test, etc.), 1 in medical facilities such as large hospitals and test centers. Thousands can be consumed per day. Therefore, an inexpensive resin is used for the specimen container to be used.
The conventional sample container supply device is configured to store the sample containers in separate storage units for each test application, each storage unit is inclined in a predetermined direction, and the upper part on the downstream side of the inclination is opened, The bottom surface is provided with an insertion opening through which the push-up member that pushes the sample container gathering downstream to the upper opening enters the housing portion, and the push-up member enters the insertion opening to push up the sample container. The container is discharged from the upper opening to the outside of the storage unit, and is sent to the transfer standby position along the guide.

On the other hand, the push-up member pushes up the sample container and then retreats from the inside of the container, so that the sample container remaining in the container rolls to the downstream side of the inclination and is aligned (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Further, the length of the push-up member is at least as long as the depth of the storage portion in order to prevent the sample container from entering the downward direction when it enters the storage portion.
Japanese Patent No. 2871502 (paragraph “0011” -paragraph “0013”, FIG. 1)

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, since the push-up member is positioned outside the housing portion, a space necessary for the operation stroke of the push-up member must be secured, and the push-up member Since the length must match the depth of the sample container, the space required for the push-up member must be reduced to reduce the depth of the container. There is a problem that the number decreases.

  An object of the present invention is to provide means for solving the above problems.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a sample container supply device that has a storage for storing sample containers in a storage space in an overlapping manner, and feeds the sample containers from the storage, and includes a bottom surface of the storage And a gate portion located on the lower end side of the inclined bottom surface and on the upper surface side of the storage, and a feeding storage portion for storing a predetermined number of specimen containers adjacent to the gate portion, A transfer unit that can move up and down is provided between the lower end side of the bottom surface and the feeding and saving unit, and a specimen container that moves to the transfer unit due to the inclination of the bottom surface is transferred to the feeding and saving unit by raising the transfer unit. The transferred specimen container is fed out by the gate part.

  Thus, the present invention makes it possible to arrange the sample container storages closer to each other, and the sample container storage can be enlarged without changing the size of the sample container supply device. The effect that it can increase is acquired.

  Embodiments of a sample container supply device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a sample processing system including a sample container supply device.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a sample processing system which stores a sample container such as a test tube in which a parent sample such as blood collected from a subject in advance is stored in a standing state, and the tray 1a. 1a is moved to each apparatus mentioned later according to various processes, such as a centrifugation process and a dispensing process.

Therefore, the sample processing system 1 includes a moving mechanism (not shown) that moves the tray 1a between the apparatuses.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a parent sample loading device, which has a loading port for loading a sample container closed with a stopper in which a parent sample such as blood collected in advance from a subject is placed, and reading means for reading a barcode attached to the sample container And the specimen identification information of the parent specimen is recognized by reading the barcode of the specimen container placed in the insertion slot. The sample container introduced here is stored in the tray.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a centrifuge, which has a function of performing centrifuge processing on a sample container containing a parent sample.
Reference numeral 4 denotes an opening device, which has a function of opening the stopper of the sample container that has been subjected to the centrifugal separation process, so that it can be dispensed.
A dispensing apparatus 5 has a function of performing a dispensing process of sucking a certain amount of a parent sample in an opened sample container and sorting the parent sample into a certain small amount of child samples for each analysis item.

A sample container supply device 6 has a function of supplying a child sample container (sample container) such as a test tube for storing a dispensed child sample.
Reference numeral 6a denotes a manipulator unit which has a function of grasping the child sample container supplied from the sample container supply device 6 and carrying it to the tray 1a.
It is assumed that the tray 1a has already been moved to the sample container supply device 6 when the child sample container is being carried by the manipulator unit 6a.

  Further, when performing the dispensing process, for example, the dispensing device 5 sucks the parent sample from the sample container in which the parent sample has been placed first, moves the tray 1a to the sample container supply device 6, and is supplied from the sample container supply device 6. The child sample container is moved and stored in the tray 1a by the manipulator 6a, and then the tray 1a is moved to the dispensing device 5. The parent sample aspirated by the dispensing device 5 is dispensed as a child sample into a plurality of child sample containers.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a capping device having a function of capping a child sample container containing a dispensed child sample.
A classification device 8 has a function of taking out the closed child sample containers from the tray 1a and storing them in the respective types of child samples.
A control terminal 9 includes a display screen such as an LCD or a CRT, and input means such as a keyboard, and has a function of instructing each apparatus of the sample processing system 1 according to the input contents input by the operator using the input means. Have.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of the sample container supply device according to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 2, reference numerals 10a to 10d denote sample container storages, which are arranged in a vertical line in the casing, and the child sample containers T are arranged side by side and stacked and stored in a plurality of stages. And a feeding port 11 for feeding the child sample container T is provided on the upper surface side of one side wall.

The sample container storages 10a to 10d are arranged in the order of the sample container storages 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d from the top to the bottom.
In each of the above embodiments, the four sample container storages 10a to 10d are described. However, the number is not limited to four and may be any number.
A label affixing unit 12 is provided above the specimen container storage 10a, and prints specimen identification information including subject information, specimen collection date and time, examination items, etc. on a plain label affixed to the mount. A mechanism for peeling the printed label from the mount and sticking it to the child sample container T is provided.

The label attaching unit 12 includes a mechanism for feeding the child sample container T with the label attached thereto to the manipulator unit 6a by feeding it upward.
Reference numeral 14 denotes a vertical transfer unit, which is arranged so as to extend in the vertical direction over the side of the outlet 11 of the sample container storages 10a to 10d and the side of the label attaching unit 12, and is an upper part in the sample container supply device 6 An endless belt is wound around a roller disposed in the lower portion, a plurality of protrusions for scooping up the child sample container T are provided on the belt, and the child sample container T scooped up on the belt is slid down to the label attaching unit 12 It is equipped with a slope.

Thus, the vertical transfer unit 14 functions to transport the child sample container T fed from the feed port 11 of the sample container storages 10a to 10d to the label applying unit 12.
Here, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the sample container storage of Example 1, where (a) shows a state seen from the side, and (b) shows a state seen from the direction of arrow A.
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 16 denotes a storage bottom, which has a bottom surface that is inclined toward the side where the delivery port 11 is provided and on which the child sample containers T are accumulated.

It forms so that it may incline below toward the side in which the delivery port 11 is provided, and, thereby, the child sample container T comes to roll down along inclination.
Reference numeral 17 denotes a feeding gate portion (gate portion), which is located on the lower end side of the slope of the storage bottom portion 16 and on the upper surface side of the sample container storages 10a to 10d, in front of the delivery port 11, and holds the child sample container T. A mechanism for moving to the vertical transfer unit 14 is provided.

  The feeding gate portion 17 is slidable up and down, for example, has a width corresponding to one child sample container, is inclined downward toward the feeding port 11, and is raised below the feeding port 11 when in the lowered position. At this time, by providing a moving plate located at a position continuous with the lower portion of the feeding port 11 and raising the moving plate in a state where the child sample container is placed, the child sample container T rolls from the feeding port 11 and is a vertical transfer unit. 14 to move.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a feeding and saving unit, which is provided adjacent to the feeding gate unit 17 and has a mounting surface having a size capable of mounting two child sample containers T. The mounting surface is a feeding gate unit. Inclined to descend toward 17.
In addition, although the mounting surface of the feeding / saving unit 18 has been described as the size for mounting the two child sample containers T, it is needless to say that the size is not limited to this and the size is arbitrary.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a container transfer unit (transfer unit), which is provided between the storage bottom 16 and the payout storage unit 18 and is configured by three transfer bodies 20a, 20b, and 20c that can move up and down, and is accumulated in the storage bottom 16. The child sample container T is transferred to the feeding and saving unit 18 while being transferred between the transfer bodies 20a, 20b, and 20c.
The transfer bodies 20a, 20b, and 20c are arranged such that the height of the upper surface thereof decreases in order from the feeding / storing part 18 side toward the lower end side of the storage bottom part 16 in the alphabetical order assigned to the reference numerals. Inclined to descend toward 17.

The initial position of the transfer body 20a in the initial state is a position that is two steps lower than the height on the upstream side of the feeding and saving unit 18, and the initial position of the transfer body 20b is one position lower than the transfer body 20a. The initial position of the body 20c is a position that is two steps lower than the transfer body 20b and is in the same plane as the downstream surface of the storage bottom 16.
Note that the height of one step here is approximately the same as the length of the diameter of the child sample container T.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a drive gear, and as shown in FIG. 3B, the rotary shaft 23 is inserted and meshed with a gear mounted on the drive source (not shown), so that the drive by the drive source is transmitted and the rotary shaft 23 is engaged. Rotate with.
Each of the transfer bodies 20a, 20b, and 20c is connected to a cam mechanism such as a cam roller that follows the rotation of the rotating shaft 23 via an operating arm, and moves up and down to follow the rotation of the rotating shaft 23.

In addition, by attaching a one-tooth gear to the rotary shaft 23 and rotating the cam roller via a cam-side gear meshing with the one-tooth gear, the transfer bodies 20a, 20b, and 20c move up and down at different timings. Composed.
The operation of the above configuration will be described.
Here, the operations of the transfer bodies 20a, 20b, and 20c when the drive gear 22 and the rotating shaft 23 are rotated once are shown stepwise.

Further, in the sample container storage, it is assumed that the child sample container T is stored until just before it reaches the feeding and saving unit 18, and in such a case, as shown in FIG. 3, there are two child sample containers T on the transfer body 20a. Assume that three child sample containers T are stacked on the transfer body 20b and five child sample containers T are stacked on the transfer body 20c.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are explanatory views showing how the child sample containers are fed out from the sample container storage of Example 1, wherein FIG. 4A shows the state in which the transfer bodies 20a and 20c are raised one stage from the initial state, and FIG. 4B shows the transfer body. 20a and 20b are raised one stage, (c) is a state where the transfer body 20a is lowered two stages, (d) is a state where the transfer body 20b is lowered two stages, (e) is a state where the transfer body 20b is raised one stage, A state in which the transfer body 20c is lowered by one stage is shown.

  When the rotary shaft 23 is rotated together with the drive gear 22 by a drive source (not shown), first, as shown in FIG. 4A, the transfer bodies 20a and 20c are raised by one step, that is, by the same height as the diameter of the child sample container T. Thus, the child sample container T on the transfer body 20c is lifted. On the other hand, the child sample container T that has been accumulated on the transfer body 20a and located at the top of the transport body 20a rides on the feeding and saving unit 18 and rolls to the feeding gate unit 17.

Since the feeding gate portion 17 is lowered, the child sample container T is placed in front of the feeding port 11.
When the rotary shaft 23 rotates, the transfer bodies 20a and 20b are moved up by one stage as shown in FIG. 4B, and the child sample container T on the transfer body 20b is lifted. On the other hand, the child sample container T on the transfer body 20 a rides on the feeding and saving unit 18 and is placed on the feeding gate unit 17.

As a result, the child sample container T on the transfer body 20a disappears, and the child sample container T at a position higher than the transfer body 20a among the child sample containers T stacked on the transfer body 20b moves toward the transfer body 20a. Roll to collapse.
Here, when the rotating shaft 23 further rotates, as shown in FIG. 4C, the transfer body 20a descends by two stages, so that the child sample container T rolled to the transfer body 20a side does not roll to the feeding gate unit 17. It falls on the transfer body 20a.

As a result, the transfer body 20a returns to the initial position.
In addition, since the upper surface of the transfer body 20a and the upper surface of the transfer body 20b are the same height, the child sample container T accumulated on the transfer body 20b rolls onto the transfer body 20a.
Next, when the rotating shaft 23 rotates, the transfer body 20b descends by two stages as shown in FIG. 4D, so that the transfer body 20b and the transfer body 20c are arranged at the same height position.

For this reason, the child sample containers T accumulated on the transfer body 20b are lowered together with the transfer body 20b.
At this time, since the upper surfaces of the transfer body 20b and the transfer body 20c are the same height, if the child sample container T is not placed on the transfer body 20b, the child sample containers accumulated on the transfer body 20c. T comes to roll toward the transfer body 20b.

When the rotating shaft 23 further rotates, the transfer body 20b rises by one stage as shown in FIG. 4E, and the transfer body 20c descends by one stage so that both the transfer bodies 20b and 20c return to the initial position. At this time, the rotating shaft 23 is in a state of being rotated once.
In this way, by moving the transfer bodies 20a to 20c up and down, the child sample container T is transferred to the feeding and storing unit 18 or the feeding gate unit 17, and the next transferred child sample container T is placed on the transfer body 20a. Placed on.

  As described above, in this embodiment, three transfer bodies that move up and down according to the rotation of the rotary shaft are provided, and each transfer body is accommodated in the sample container storage so as not to protrude from the sample container storage. This makes it possible to arrange the sample container storages closer to each other, so that the sample container storage can be made larger without changing the size of the sample container supply device, and thus the number of child sample containers stored can be reduced. Can be increased.

In addition, by moving the child sample containers by the three transfer bodies, the vertical movement amount of each transfer body can be reduced, and the transfer body and child sample containers are rubbed or moved by the operation of the transfer bodies. Scratching of the child sample container can be reduced by rubbing the containers.
Needless to say, the number of transfer bodies is not limited to three, and can be set as appropriate depending on the size of the sample container and the allowable size of the sample container storage.

In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
5A and 5B are explanatory views showing the configuration of the sample container storage of Example 2, wherein FIG. 5A shows a state viewed from the side, and FIG. 5B shows a state viewed from the direction of arrow B. FIG.
In this embodiment, the portion corresponding to the container transfer section 19 of the first embodiment has a stepped portion formed in a step shape shown in FIG. The point which is the step-shaped transfer part 31 is different.

  In FIG. 5, the stepped transfer unit 31 is configured to slide in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction according to the rotation of the rotating shaft 23 by being connected to an operation arm (not shown) connected to the rotating shaft. Each step of the shaped portion is inclined so as to descend toward the feeding gate portion 17, and the height of one step is approximately the same as the length of the diameter of the child sample container T.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a support step portion which is formed in a multi-stage shape so as to extend from the storage bottom portion 16 to the feeding and saving portion 18, and the size of the step is the same as the stepped portion of the step-like transfer portion 31.
Further, a part of the support step portion 32 is notched so as not to hinder the vertical movement of the stepped transfer portion 31 or the horizontal movement from the raised state to the feeding and saving portion 18 side.
Furthermore, when the stepped transfer portion 31 is at the same position as the step where the uppermost step where the step is formed as shown in FIG. 5 is one step lower than the feeding and saving portion 18 of the support step portion 32. Is the initial position.

The operation of the above configuration will be described.
Here, the operation of the stepped transfer body 31 when the drive gear 22 and the rotating shaft 23 are rotated once is shown stepwise.
6A and 6B are explanatory views showing how the child sample containers are fed out from the sample container storage of Example 2, wherein FIG. 6A shows a state where the stepped transfer unit 31 has been raised by one step from the initial position, and FIG. 6B shows a stepped shape. (C) is a state where the stepped transfer unit 31 is lowered by one step, (d) is a state where the stepped transfer unit 31 is horizontally moved to the left and moved to the initial position. Is shown.

It is assumed that one child sample container T1 to T6 is placed in each stage from the uppermost stage to the lowermost stage of the stepped transfer unit 31.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the stepped transfer unit 31 is located at the lowermost part of the specimen container storage, and the position where the stepped portion coincides with the support stepped portion 32 is set as the initial position.
When the rotary shaft 23 is rotated together with the drive gear 22 by a drive source (not shown), first, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the stepped transfer unit 31 is raised by one step, that is, by the same height as the diameter of the child sample container. Since the uppermost stage is located at substantially the same height as the feeding / saving unit 18, the child sample container T1 placed on the uppermost stage rolls toward the feeding / saving unit 18 and moves toward the feeding gate unit 17.

When the rotating shaft 23 rotates, the stepped transfer portion 31 moves horizontally in the right direction as shown in FIG. 6B and stops at a position where the step is overlapped with the support stepped portion 32.
At this time, as the stepped transfer portion 31 moves, a space is generated at the lowermost step of the support step portion 32, and the child sample container T7 accumulated there enters.
When the rotating shaft 23 further rotates, as shown in FIG. 6C, the stepped transfer portion 31 is lowered by one step, and the stepped transfer portion 31 is positioned below the support stepped portion 32 to be stepped transferred. The child sample containers T <b> 2 to T <b> 6 placed on the part 31 are placed on each stage of the support stage 32.

Next, when the rotary shaft 23 rotates, the stepped transfer portion 31 moves horizontally to the left as shown in FIG. 6D, and returns to the initial position. At this time, the child sample containers T2 to T7 are placed on the stepped transfer unit 31 from the uppermost stage to the lowermost stage.
In this way, by moving the stepped transfer unit 31, the child sample containers T placed thereon are transferred one by one to the feeding and storing unit 18.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a stepped transfer unit that slides according to the rotation of the rotating shaft is provided, and the stepped transfer unit is moved in the sample container storage unit so that the sample container storage units can be connected to each other more. Since they can be arranged close to each other, the sample container storage can be made larger without changing the size of the sample container supply device, and thus the number of child sample containers can be increased.

In addition, since the stepped transfer part is rubbed only between the stored child sample containers only when moving up and down, the child sample container is damaged by rubbing between the child sample containers compared to the prior art. Can be reduced.
Furthermore, since the present embodiment moves the stepped transfer section, it can be configured with a simpler mechanism than the mechanism for moving the three transfer bodies of the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the sample container storage of Example 3.
In this embodiment, the container transfer section 40 of FIG. 7 corresponding to the container transfer section 19 of the first embodiment is configured by three transfer bodies 41a, 41b, 41c on which the child sample containers T are placed. Is different.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 35 denotes a feeding and saving unit according to the present embodiment, which is provided on the front side of the feeding gate unit 17, is formed in an arch shape, and has about two child specimens at a placement location adjacent to the feeding gate unit 17. The container T can be placed, and the place to be placed has an arc that is inclined toward the feeding gate portion 17.
The transfer bodies 41a, 41b and 41c are arranged so that the height of the upper surface thereof decreases in order from the feeding and saving section 35 side toward the lower end side of the storage bottom section 16, and each is provided on the rotating shaft 23 side via an arm. It attaches so that it may interlock | cooperate with the rotation drive mechanism which is not shown in figure, and by rotating the rotating shaft 23, it rotates so that each transfer body 41a, 41b, 41c may move up and down in order.

The transfer body 41a is rotated so as to follow the arc of the feeding / saving unit 35, so that the child sample container T placed on the upper surface is lifted so as to be along the feeding / saving unit 35 when raised, and the feeding gate unit 17 Transport to.
Further, the transfer body 41a can be raised to such an extent that the child sample container T placed on the upper surface can be transferred to the place where the feeding / saving unit 35 is placed, but the child sample container T has already been placed on the feeding / saving unit 35. Therefore, when it cannot be raised, the rise is stopped by a torque limiter (not shown) so that the child sample container T is not pressed.

Similarly, torque limiters are provided for the transfer bodies 41b and 41c.
Here, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the pay-out saving unit of the third embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, the feeding and saving unit 35 is a transfer that extends and rotates to the same position as the slit 36 through which the arm of each transfer body 41a, 41b, 41c is inserted or the end of the transfer body 41b on the storage bottom 16 side. A fall prevention rib 37 for preventing the child sample container T from entering under the bodies 41a and 41b is provided.

The fall prevention rib 37 is attached so as to protrude from a position facing the storage bottom 16 of the feeding and saving section 35 to a position corresponding to the transfer body 41b toward the storage bottom 16 side, and a position corresponding to the transfer body 41a will be described later. It is formed up to almost the same height as the upper surface of the transfer body 41a in the initial position.
Further, the portion of the fall prevention rib 37 that coincides with the transfer body 41b is formed up to the same height as the upper surface of the transfer body 41b in the initial position described later.

Note that the transfer bodies 41a and 41b are provided with slits (not shown) that prevent the transfer bodies 41a and 41b from coming into contact with the fall prevention ribs 37.
The operation of the above configuration will be described.
Here, the operations of the transfer bodies 41a, 41b, and 41c when the drive gear 22 and the rotating shaft 23 are rotated once are shown stepwise.

As shown in FIG. 7, the transfer bodies 41a, 41b, and 41c are located above the lowermost part of the sample container storage by the diameter of the child sample container T, and the transfer bodies 41b and 41c are the sample containers. The initial position is at the bottom of the storage.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory views showing how the child sample containers are fed out from the sample container storage of Example 3, wherein FIG. 9A shows the state where the transfer body 41a is raised from the initial position, and FIG. 9B shows the state where the transfer body 41a is lowered. The state in which the transfer body 41b is raised, (c) is the state in which the transfer body 41b is lowered and the transfer body 41c is raised, and (d) is the state in which the transfer body 41c is lowered.

When the rotary shaft 23 is rotated together with the drive gear 22 by a drive source (not shown), as shown in FIG. 9A, the transfer body 41a rises and lifts and feeds the child specimen container T placed on the upper surface of the transfer body 41a. Transfer to the saving unit 35.
In FIG. 9A, the lower surface of the transfer body 41a is located higher than the upper surface of the transfer body 41b. However, the child sample container T is placed below the transfer body 41a by the fall prevention rib 37 of the feeding storage section 35 described above. Is prevented from entering.

When the rotating shaft 23 rotates, the transfer body 41a is lowered and the transfer body 41b is lifted as shown in FIG. 9B, so that the upper surfaces of the transfer body 41a and the transfer body 41b are flush with each other. The child sample container T on the transfer body 41b rolls toward the transfer body 41a and is transferred.
In FIG. 9B, the lower surface of the transfer body 41b is higher than the upper surface of the transfer body 41c. However, the child sample container T is placed below the transfer body 41b by the fall prevention rib 37 of the above-described feeding storage section 35. Is prevented from entering.

Next, when the rotary shaft 23 is rotated, the transfer body 41b is lowered and the transfer body 41c is raised as shown in FIG. 9C, so that the upper surface of the transfer body 41b and the upper surface of the transfer body 41c are flush with each other. Thus, the child sample container T accumulated in the transfer body 41c rolls onto the transfer body 41b.
When the rotating shaft 23 further rotates, the transfer body 41c descends and returns to the initial position as shown in FIG. 9 (d).

  As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, since the transfer body on the side of the feeding and saving unit lifts the child sample container to the place where the feeding and saving unit is placed, the feeding gate of the feeding and saving unit. Even if a skew occurs in front of the part and the child sample container does not roll to the delivery gate part and accumulates in the delivery storage part, the child specimen container accumulated in the delivery storage part by the child specimen container lifted by the transfer body is fed out. It can be pushed out to the part side.

  In each of the above embodiments, the sample container supply device included in the sample processing system introduced into the medical facility has been described. However, the field that requires the sample container for examination and analysis is not limited to the human body, for example, As a sample container preparation device for a system that can inspect and analyze collected samples according to analysis items in various fields such as geological / water quality surveys and archaeological surveys. Applicable.

Specimen processing system including specimen container supply device Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the sample container supply apparatus of Example 1. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the sample container storage of Example 1. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a child sample container is paid out from the sample container storage of Example 1. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the sample container storage of Example 2. Explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a child sample container is paid out from the sample container storage of Example 2. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the sample container storage of Example 3. The perspective view which shows the pay-out saving part of Example 3. Explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a child sample container is paid out from the sample container storage of Example 3. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sample processing system 1a Tray 2 Parent sample input device 3 Centrifugation device 4 Opening device 5 Dispensing device 6 Sample container supply device 6a Manipulator part 7 Closure device 8 Sorting device 9 Control terminal 10a-10d Sample container storage 11 Feeding outlet DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Label sticking part 14 Vertical transfer part 16 Storage bottom part 17 Feeding gate part 18, 35 Feeding storage part 19 Container transfer part (transfer part)
20a, 20b, 20c Transfer body 22 Drive gear 23 Rotating shaft 31 Step transfer section 32 Support step section 36 Slit 37 Fall prevention rib 41a, 41b, 41c Transfer body

Claims (4)

A specimen container supply device that has a storage for storing specimen containers in a storage space, and feeds the specimen container from the storage,
Inclining the bottom surface of the storage, a gate portion located on the lower end side of the inclined bottom surface and on the upper surface side of the storage, and a feeding storage unit for storing a predetermined number of specimen containers adjacent to the gate portion And a transfer unit that can move up and down between the lower end side of the bottom surface and the payout storage unit,
A sample container supply apparatus, wherein a sample container that moves to the transfer unit due to the inclination of the bottom surface is transferred to the feeding and saving unit by raising the transfer unit, and the transferred sample container is fed out by the gate unit. In the specimen container supply device according to claim 1,
The payout saving portion is inclined to descend toward the gate portion,
The transfer unit is constituted by a plurality of transfer bodies capable of moving up and down arranged so as to increase from the bottom side toward the feeding and saving unit side,
Each transfer body has a shape in which the upper surface is inclined in the same direction as the feeding and saving unit,
The specimen container supply apparatus, wherein the specimen container that moves due to the inclination of the bottom surface is placed on the upper surface of each transfer body and transferred to the feeding and storing unit. In the specimen container supply device according to claim 1,
A stepped support step is provided between the bottom surface and the payout saving portion,
The payout saving portion is inclined to descend toward the gate portion,
The transfer portion has the same stepped portion as the support step portion, and is movable in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction,
The upper surface of each step of the support step portion and the stepped portion is a shape inclined in the same direction as the feeding and saving portion, and receives the sample container at each step,
The transfer unit moves up with the sample container placed on the stepped portion, moves to the feeding storage unit side so as to coincide with the step of the support step portion, and further descends to step of the support step portion. The specimen container supply apparatus is characterized in that the specimen container that moves due to the inclination of the bottom face is lifted by one stage and transferred to the feeding and saving part by moving to the bottom side so as to coincide with In the specimen container supply device according to claim 1,
The transfer unit is rotated around a rotating shaft disposed below the feeding and saving unit, and a plurality of arc-shaped transfer bodies arranged so as to be higher from the bottom side toward the feeding and saving unit side. Configure
The sample container moved by the inclination of the bottom surface is placed on the upper surface of the transfer body, and is rotated in the vertical direction in order from the side close to the supply and storage unit and transferred to the supply and storage unit. Feeding device.

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