JP2012032373A - Embedding agent removal device and embedding agent removal method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an embedding agent removal device and an embedding agent removal method that safely and securely remove an embedding agent fixed to an embedding cassette without damaging the embedding cassette and efficiently to a uniform finish.SOLUTION: The embedding agent removal device 10 which removes the fixed embedding agent P from the embedding cassette 1 to which an embedding block B is fixed includes a heating plate 2 which has a mounting surface 2a where the embedding cassette is mounted. and heats a bottom surface 1C of the embedding cassette mounted on the mounting surface, and a plurality of heating blocks 3, 4 which are arranged on the heating plate and hold the mounted embedding cassette 1 therebetween to heat at least two side faces among four side faces 1F, 1B, 1L, and 1R of the embedding cassette 1. At least one of the plurality of heating blocks is enabled to move in an in-surface direction of the mounting surface, and moves to hold the embedding cassette therebetween in cooperation with the other heating block.

Description

  The present invention relates to an embedding agent removing apparatus and an embedding agent removing method for removing an unnecessary embedding agent fixed to an embedding cassette to which an embedding block is fixed.

  As one method for inspecting and observing a biological sample taken from a human body or a laboratory animal, a thin section is prepared from an embedding block in which the biological sample is embedded with an embedding agent such as paraffin or resin. On the other hand, for example, a method of inspecting and observing a biological sample by performing a staining process is known. In general, when the above-mentioned thin slice is prepared from an embedding block, it is necessary to uniformly slice it at a thickness of about 3 μm to 5 μm in order to enable observation at the cell level. Therefore, a thin cutting operation is performed by using a sharp thin cutting blade by a skilled worker or using a dedicated thin cutting device.

  By the way, the normal embedding block is fixed to an embedding cassette to which an identification code or the like is given, and is still fixed to the embedding cassette even during the slicing operation. In other words, the embedding cassette functions as a fixing base for the embedding block at the time of slicing operation. In addition, the embedding cassette is also used as a container that is used from the stage of making the embedding block. Therefore, an unnecessary embedding agent is easily fixed to the embedding cassette.

In detail, when preparing an embedding block, first, the biological sample is dehydrated and degreased in a state where the biological sample is accommodated in the embedding cassette, and also replaced with an embedding agent such as paraffin. Is given. Since the entire embedding cassette is immersed in the embedding agent at the time of this replacement treatment, the embedding agent is easily fixed on the side surface or the bottom surface of the embedding cassette.
The substituted biological sample is then embedded in an embedding agent to become an embedding block, and the embedding block is fixed to an embedding cassette and integrated.

Thus, if an unnecessary embedding agent adheres to an embedding cassette, it will cause the embedding cassette to rattle. In particular, when preparing thin sections, it is important to slice the embedding block accurately and uniformly, and for that purpose, the embedding cassette should be stably set on a stage or other stage. Is needed.
However, if an unnecessary embedding agent adheres to the embedding cassette, it is easy to rattle, making it difficult to set the embedding cassette stably, and it may not be possible to produce a thin section of uniform quality. there were.

  Therefore, after preparing the embedding block, the operator manually scrapes the embedding agent fixed to the embedding cassette with a blade or presses the embedding cassette against the heating plate to fix the embedding agent. At present, the work of melting and removing (see Patent Document 1) is being performed.

Utility Model Registration No. 3067577

However, the above-described conventional method is a simple operation and a very time-consuming operation, so it is not efficient and difficult to process in large quantities. In particular, when conducting preclinical studies and the like, hundreds to thousands of embedding blocks may be produced per test, and tens of thousands of embedding blocks may be produced, which places a heavy burden on the operator.
In addition, since the operator performs the work manually, there is a possibility of injury, and depending on the degree of fixation, the embedding agent may remain thinly in the form of a film, or the flake-like fragments may remain, In some cases, the embedding agent could not be completely removed. In addition, there was a possibility of scratching the embedding cassette side.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to safely and reliably remove the embedding agent fixed to the embedding cassette without damaging the embedding cassette. In addition, it is to provide an embedding agent removing apparatus and an embedding agent removing method that can be efficiently and uniformly removed.

The present invention provides the following means in order to solve the above problems.
(1) An embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention is an embedding agent removing apparatus that removes a fixed embedding agent from an embedding cassette to which an embedding block is fixed, and the embedding cassette is placed thereon. A heating plate that heats the bottom surface of the embedding cassette placed on the placement surface, and sandwiches the embedding cassette placed on and placed on the heating plate A plurality of heating blocks for heating at least two side surfaces of the embedding cassette, wherein at least one of the plurality of heating blocks is movable in an in-plane direction of the placement surface, The embedding cassette is sandwiched in cooperation with the remaining heating block by movement.

  According to the embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention, when the embedding cassette is placed on the placing surface of the heating plate, at least one of the plurality of heating blocks moves in the in-plane direction of the placing surface, The embedding cassette is sandwiched in cooperation with other remaining heating blocks. Accordingly, the bottom surface and at least two side surfaces of the embedding cassette are heated by the heating plate and the heating block. Therefore, even if an unnecessary embedding agent is fixed to the embedding cassette in the preparation stage of the embedding block, these embedding agents can be melted and dissolved from the embedding cassette.

  In particular, since the embedding agent can be removed simultaneously from the bottom surface and at least two side surfaces, it is possible to efficiently and reliably remove the embedding agent. Further, since there is no need to manually perform the removal work as in the prior art, it can be removed with a uniform finish, and it is safe and there is no risk of damaging the embedding cassette side. Furthermore, since the embedding cassette is not damaged, the cutting material of the embedding cassette is not mixed with the removed embedding agent, and the embedding agent can be reused.

(2) Moreover, in the embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention, the heating block may sandwich the embedding cassette and heat the four side surfaces of the embedding cassette.

  In this case, since the plurality of heating blocks sandwich the periphery of the embedding cassette, the four side surfaces of the embedding cassette can be heated, and unnecessary embedding agents can be melted and dissolved from all the side surfaces. . Therefore, the embedding agent can be more reliably removed from the embedding cassette.

(3) The embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a movable part that moves the heating block, and the moving part continues to move until the movable part reaches a predetermined movement amount. Also good.

  In this case, since the heating block continues to move until the movable part reaches a predetermined amount of movement, even if the movement is temporarily prevented by contact with the embedding agent fixed to the side surface of the embedding cassette, The heating block can be moved further while melting the filler. Therefore, by setting the amount of movement in consideration of the size of the embedding cassette, it is possible to press a plurality of heating blocks against the side surface of the embedding cassette without being affected by the thickness of the embedded embedding agent. . Therefore, the embedding agent can be more reliably dissolved and removed regardless of the thickness of the fixed embedding agent.

(4) Further, in the embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention, after the heating block sandwiches the embedding cassette, the heating block is moved back and forth along the side surface while being in contact with the side surface of the embedding cassette. May be.

  In this case, since the heating block sandwiches the embedding cassette and then reciprocates along the side surface while being in contact with the side surface of the embedding cassette, the embedding agent is placed on the side surface rather than simply heating. It can be melted and scraped off. Therefore, the embedding agent can be removed more reliably.

(5) In the embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention, the heating block is provided with a flange portion for heating the upper surface of the embedding cassette when the embedding cassette is sandwiched. Also good.

  In this case, the embedding agent can be dissolved from the upper surface even if an unnecessary embedding agent is fixed not only on the side surface and the bottom surface of the embedding cassette but also on the upper surface in the step of preparing the embedding block. .

(6) In the embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention, the embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a recovery container that is disposed below the heating plate and collects the melted embedding agent. A recovery portion may be formed that opens to the placement surface and penetrates in the thickness direction and guides the melted embedding agent to the recovery container.

  In this case, the embedding agent melted from the bottom surface and the side surface of the embedding cassette can be quickly removed from the placement surface through the recovery portion and can be recovered in the recovery container. In particular, since the melted embedding agent can be quickly removed from the mounting surface, it is possible to prevent the melted embedding agent from clinging to the embedding cassette and to prevent the re-adhesion and ensure the removal. Can be improved. Moreover, since the melt | dissolved embedding agent can be collect | recovered, this embedding agent can be reused easily and it can lead to a cost cut.

(7) Moreover, the embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention may include a container heating means for heating the recovery container to a temperature higher than the melting point of the embedding agent.

  In this case, since the recovery container is heated to a temperature higher than the melting point of the embedding agent, the recovered embedding agent can be prevented from solidifying in the recovery container, and can be easily taken out from the recovery container. Easy to reuse.

(8) Moreover, the embedding agent removal apparatus which concerns on the said invention WHEREIN: On the contact surface of the said heating block which touches the said embedding cassette, the discharge part which makes the said embedding agent melt | dissolve flow to the said heating plate side is provided. It may be formed.

  In this case, the embedding agent melted from the side surface of the embedding cassette can be actively flowed to the heating plate side through the discharge section, so that the melted embedding agent is placed on the upper part of the heating block or the embedding cassette. It is difficult to get on the top surface. Therefore, it is possible to increase the reliability of removal while preventing the melted embedding agent from flowing and fixing to an unintended location.

(9) The embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a detachable cover body that is disposed above the heating plate and covers an upper portion of the embedded cassette. However, it may be set to a temperature lower than the melting point of the embedding agent.

In this case, even if the embedding agent is vaporized when the embedding cassette is heated, the vaporized embedding agent can be attached to the cover body. Then, the attached embedding agent is quickly solidified and fixed because the cover body is set at a temperature lower than the melting point of the embedding agent. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the attached embedding agent from falling toward the embedding block or the embedding cassette and re-adhering.
In this way, the vaporized embedding agent can be positively adhered to the cover body, so that the vaporized embedding agent can adhere to an unintended location, or can be re-adhered to an embedding block or embedding cassette. Can be prevented. Moreover, when a large amount of the embedded embedding agent accumulates, it is possible to easily replace the cover body itself.
Moreover, since the cover body covers the upper part of the embedding cassette, even if an odor is generated when the embedding agent is heated, the odor is easily trapped.

(10) In the embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention, a transfer unit that transfers the mounted embedding cassette onto a wiping table, and a bottom surface of the embedding cassette on the wiping table; A wiping portion that wipes the side surfaces simultaneously or separately with a wiping cloth, and the wiping portion may wipe the wiping cloth in a heated state.

  In this case, after the embedding agent is melted by heating the bottom surface and side surface of the embedding cassette, the embedding cassette is transferred onto the wiping table, and the bottom surface and side surface of the embedding cassette are moved on the wiping table. It can be wiped with a wiping cloth. Therefore, even if the melted embedding agent remains in the embedding cassette, the residue can be wiped off with a wiping cloth, and the bottom and side surfaces can be finished to a clean surface from which the embedding agent has been removed more reliably. it can. And since it wipes in the state which heated the wiping cloth, it can wipe off, melt | dissolving the remaining embedding agent, and can improve the wiping effect.

(11) In the embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention, the embedding agent removing apparatus includes a determination unit that determines the front-rear direction of the embedding cassette transferred onto the wiping table, and the transfer unit is configured by the determination unit. The front and rear direction of the embedding cassette may be changed based on the determination result, and the direction may be arranged in a fixed direction.

  In this case, wiping by the wiping unit can be performed in a state where the front and rear directions of the embedding cassette are aligned in a certain direction, so that the bottom and side surfaces of the embedding cassette can be wiped more reliably.

(12) Further, in the embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention, the transfer unit has an elastic force in a direction to detach the embedding cassette from the transfer hand, and a transfer hand that nips the embedding cassette. And may be provided with an elastic member that is pressed.

  In this case, when the embedding cassette is transferred to a predetermined position while being held by the transfer hand and then released, the embedding cassette is forcibly pressed by the elastic force of the elastic member at the same time. To be withdrawn from. Therefore, even if an adhesive force is generated between the transfer hand and the embedding cassette, for example, due to the influence of the embedding agent remaining in the embedding cassette, the embedding cassette is not affected by this adhesive force. Can be withdrawn. Therefore, the embedding cassette can be opened in a correct posture at a predetermined position.

(13) Further, in the embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention, the wiping cloth is formed in a strip shape extending in one direction, and the wiping portion is configured to remove a part of the wiping cloth from the bottom surface of the embedding cassette. And a pressing part that presses against the side surface and a moving part that moves the pressed wiping cloth along the one direction.

  In this case, by moving the wiping cloth in a state where the wiping cloth is pressed against the bottom surface and the side surface of the embedding cassette, the bottom surface and the side surface can be surely wiped off. In particular, since the belt-shaped wiping cloth is moved, the wiping cloth can be wiped by using a clean portion instead of continuing to use the same wiping cloth, and the bottom and side surfaces can be easily finished to a cleaner surface. .

(14) Further, in the embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention, the moving unit includes two rotating bodies that sandwich the wiping cloth between the outer peripheral surfaces, and the one of the rotating body and the wiping cloth The contact width may be smaller than the contact width between the other rotating body and the wiping cloth.

  In this case, since the wiping cloth can be moved while being sandwiched between the two rotating bodies, the wiping cloth can be reliably moved without sliding. In particular, the contact width with respect to the wiping cloth differs between the two rotating bodies, and the contact ratio of both rotating bodies can be changed. Therefore, even if the wiped embedding agent penetrates into the wiping cloth and the wiping cloth has viscosity, the wiping cloth may stick to the two rotating bodies and cause problems such as entrainment. Can be suppressed.

(15) Moreover, in the embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention, the moving unit includes two rotating bodies that sandwich the wiping cloth between the outer peripheral surfaces, and the outer peripheral surface of at least one of the rotating bodies is It may be an uneven shape.

  In this case, since the wiping cloth can be moved while being sandwiched between the two rotating bodies, the wiping cloth can be reliably moved without sliding. In particular, since the outer peripheral surface of at least one of the rotating bodies has a concavo-convex shape, it is possible to move the wiping cloth more reliably without slipping using this concavo-convex shape.

(16) Further, in the embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention described above, an arbitrary selection is made from among a housing that houses a plurality of the embedding cassettes and a plurality of the embedding cassettes that are housed in the housing. You may provide the carrying-in part which mounts one done on the mounting surface mentioned above, and the carrying-out part which accommodates in the storage body while carrying out the said embedding cassette.

In this case, it is possible to automatically cope with processing of a large number of embedding cassettes, and it is possible to automatically remove unnecessary embedding agents.
In other words, one embedding cassette selected from among a plurality of embedding cassettes whose carry-in part is set in the container is automatically placed on the placing surface of the heating plate. Then, as described above, the operation of melting the unnecessary embedding agent by heating with the heating plate and the heating block and removing it from the embedding cassette is performed. When this operation is completed, the carry-out unit carries out the embedding cassette and automatically stores it in the storage body.
In this way, since a plurality of embedding cassettes accommodated in the container can be processed one after another, the embedding agent can be removed from a large number of embedding cassettes efficiently in a short time. Therefore, the apparatus can be very easy to use, can be automated, and has excellent processing capability.

(17) In the embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention, the embedding agent removing apparatus includes an accommodating time determining unit that determines a front-rear direction of the embedding cassette accommodated in the accommodating body, and the carry-in unit includes the accommodating Based on the determination result by the time determination unit, the front and rear direction of the embedding cassette may be changed, and the embedding cassette may be placed on the mounting surface in a state in which the direction is arranged in a certain direction.

  In this case, the embedding agent can be removed while heating all the embedding cassettes under the same conditions because the embedding cassette can be placed on the mounting surface of the heating plate with the front and rear orientations aligned in a certain direction. It can be performed. Further, since the embedding cassette can be stored in the same direction with respect to the storage body, it is more suitable for automation.

(18) The embedding agent removing method according to the present invention is an embedding agent removing method for removing a fixed embedding agent from an embedding cassette to which an embedding block is fixed, and on the mounting surface of the heating plate. After the embedding cassette is mounted, at least one of the plurality of heating blocks is moved in the in-plane direction of the mounting surface, and the embedding cassette is moved in cooperation with the remaining heating blocks by the movement. A sandwiching pressure step, and a heating step of heating the bottom surface of the embedding cassette by the heating plate and heating at least two side surfaces of the embedding cassette by the plurality of embedding blocks. Features.

  According to the embedding agent removal method according to the present invention, the same effects as those of the embedding agent removing apparatus described above can be achieved. That is, the embedding agent can be simultaneously removed from the bottom surface and at least two side surfaces of the embedding cassette, and it is possible to efficiently and reliably remove the embedding agent. Further, since there is no need to manually perform the removal work as in the prior art, it can be removed with a uniform finish, and it is safe and there is no risk of damaging the embedding cassette side. Furthermore, since the embedding cassette is not damaged, the cutting material of the embedding cassette is not mixed with the removed embedding agent, and the embedding agent can be reused.

(19) Further, in the embedding agent removing method according to the present invention, the embedding cassette is sandwiched between the plurality of heating blocks while surrounding the embedding cassette at the time of the narrow pressure step, and the embedding cassette at the time of the heating step. These four side surfaces may be heated.

  In this case, the same effect as the embedding agent removing apparatus described above can be obtained. That is, by sandwiching the embedding cassette with a plurality of heating blocks, the four sides of the embedding cassette can be heated, and unnecessary embedding agents can be melted and dissolved from all sides. Therefore, the embedding agent can be more reliably removed from the embedding cassette.

(20) In the embedding agent removing method according to the present invention, the heating block may be continuously moved until a predetermined amount of movement is reached in the pinching step.

  In this case, the same effect as the embedding agent removing apparatus described above can be obtained. In other words, it is possible to press multiple heating blocks against the side of the embedding cassette without being affected by the thickness of the fixed embedding agent, and the embedding agent can be surely secured regardless of the thickness of the fixing embedding agent. Easy to dissolve.

(21) In the embedding agent removing method according to the present invention, the heating block may be reciprocated along the side surface while in contact with the side surface of the embedding cassette in the heating step.

  In this case, the same effect as the embedding agent removing apparatus described above can be obtained. That is, the embedding agent can be dissolved and scraped off from the side surface, as compared with the case of merely heating, and the embedding agent can be removed more reliably.

(22) Further, in the embedding agent removing method according to the present invention, after the heating step, the embedding cassette is transferred onto a wiping table, and the bottom surface and the side surface of the embedding cassette are simultaneously or on the wiping table. A wiping process of wiping with a wiping cloth may be provided, and the wiping cloth may be wiped in a heated state during the wiping process.

  In this case, the same effect as the embedding agent removing apparatus described above can be obtained. That is, even if the melted embedding agent remains in the embedding cassette, the residue can be wiped off with a wiping cloth, and the bottom and side surfaces can be finished to a clean surface with the embedding agent removed more reliably. it can. And since it wipes in the state which heated the wiping cloth, it can wipe off, melt | dissolving the remaining embedding agent, and can improve the wiping effect.

(23) In the embedding agent removing method according to the present invention, one arbitrarily selected from the plurality of embedding cassettes accommodated in the container is placed on the placement surface. You may provide the carrying-in process and the carrying-out process accommodated in the storage body while carrying out the said embedding cassette.

  In this case, the same effect as the embedding agent removing apparatus described above can be obtained. That is, it is possible to automatically cope with processing of a large number of embedding cassettes and to automatically remove unnecessary embedding agents.

  According to the embedding agent removing apparatus and the embedding agent removing method according to the present invention, it is possible to safely and reliably remove the unnecessary embedding agent fixed to the embedding cassette without damaging the embedding cassette. In addition, it can be efficiently removed with a uniform finish.

It is a perspective view of the embedding cassette before removing the embedding agent with the embedding agent removing apparatus according to the present invention, and the embedding cassette after removal. It is a perspective view of the thin slice specimen produced using the thin slice obtained by slicing the embedding block shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows 1st Embodiment of the embedding agent removal apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing of the heating plate shown in FIG. It is the figure which looked at the heating plate shown in FIG. 3 from upper direction, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state immediately after mounting an embedding cassette on the mounting surface of this heating plate. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where the embedding cassette is sandwiched by two heating blocks while being sandwiched from the state illustrated in FIG. 5. It is sectional drawing of the collection container shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the heating block shown in FIG. 3, Comprising: It is a figure of the heating block by which the discharge part is formed in the contact surface. It is a figure which shows the modification of the embedding agent removal apparatus shown in FIG. 3, Comprising: It is a top view which shows the state by which the guide part which absorbs the momentum at the time of carrying in of an embedding block is arrange | positioned above a heating plate. . It is the figure which looked at the guide part shown in FIG. 9 from the side. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the discharge part of the heating plate shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the embedding agent removal apparatus shown in FIG. 3, Comprising: It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the trap panel is arrange | positioned above the embedding cassette. It is a figure which shows another modification of the embedding agent removal apparatus shown in FIG. 3, Comprising: It is a flowchart in the case of making a heating block reciprocate along the side surface of an embedding block at the time of a heating. It is a block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment of the embedding agent removal apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 15 is a top view around the heating plate in the embedding agent removing apparatus shown in FIG. 14. It is sectional drawing of the 1st wiping part periphery in the embedding agent removal apparatus shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the 2nd wiping part periphery in the embedding agent removal apparatus shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the 3rd wiping part periphery in the embedding agent removal apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which has irradiated the detection light to the front and back surfaces of the embedding cassette by a pair of sensor. It is an enlarged view of each drawer | drawing-out part in the embedding agent removal apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating which part of this embedding cassette is clamped when transferring an embedding cassette by the 1st transfer hand and the 2nd transfer hand. It is a top view which shows the modification of the container shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows another modification of the container shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows another modification of the container shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the disc tray which is another modification of the container shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing along CC line shown in FIG. FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a state in which the disk trays shown in FIG. 25 are stacked. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the 2nd wiping part shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the 1st wiping part shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the structure which removes the wiped-off paraffin from each wiping cloth shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the storage body shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification which concerns on this invention, Comprising: It is a perspective view of the heating block to which the flange part which heats the upper surface of an embedding cassette was attached. It is a figure which shows the state which has pinched | interposed the embedding cassette with the heating block from the state shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification which concerns on this invention, Comprising: It is a perspective view of the 2nd transfer hand to which the rubber ring is attached. FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD shown in FIG. 34. It is a figure which shows the state which clamped the embedding cassette from the state shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing along the EE line shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification which concerns on this invention, Comprising: It is a perspective view which shows the state which is heating the 1st transfer hand using a heater block at the discrimination | determination point. It is a figure which shows the modification which concerns on this invention, Comprising: It is a perspective view which shows the state which has discriminate | determined the front-back direction of the embedding cassette in the carry-out port of a supply stand. It is a figure which shows the modification which concerns on this invention, Comprising: It is a perspective view of the drawer part periphery which pulls out a wiping cloth. It is a figure which shows the modification which concerns on this invention, Comprising: It is sectional drawing of the gear which comprises the drawer | drawing-out part which pulls out a wiping cloth.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the embedding agent removing apparatus of this embodiment is changed from the embedding cassette 1 to which the embedding block B is fixed to the bottom surface 1C and the side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, 1R of the embedding cassette 1. It is an apparatus for removing paraffin P, which is an unnecessary embedded embedding agent.

First, the embedding block B and the embedding cassette 1 will be briefly described.
The embedding block B is obtained by replacing the moisture in a formalin-fixed biological sample with paraffin, and then further solidifying the periphery with a paraffin P into a block shape. As a result, the biological sample S is embedded in the paraffin P.
The biological sample S is, for example, a tissue such as an organ taken out from a laboratory animal or the like, and is appropriately selected according to requirements in each field such as the medical field, pharmaceutical field, and biological field.

  The embedding cassette 1 is made of a chemical-resistant resin or the like, and plays a role as a fixing base for fixing the embedding block B. At this time, the embedding block B is fixed to the upper surface of the embedding cassette 1. Of the four side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, and 1R of the embedding cassette 1, a part of the front surface 1F is an inclined surface that faces downward, and the embedding cassette 1 is manufactured on the inclined surface. An identification code (not shown) including the number, the date of preparation of the embedding block B, various data of the biological sample S, and the like is recorded. Therefore, the quality control of the embedded block B can be performed by reading this identification code.

In the present embodiment, the direction of the cassette body is defined with the front surface 1F side being “front” and the rear surface 1B side opposite to the front surface 1F being “rear”. Further, the two side surfaces of the front surface 1F and the rear surface 1B are referred to as front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B, and the remaining two side surfaces are referred to as left and right surfaces 1L and 1R.
That is, the four side surfaces of the embedding cassette 1 indicate the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B and the left and right surfaces 1L and 1R. Further, a virtual direction connecting “front” and “rear” is defined as the front-rear direction, and directions orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the thickness direction are defined as the left-right direction.

  The embedding block B is usually fixed to the upper surface of the embedding block B in the production stage, and at that time, the paraffin P is transferred to the bottom surface 1C of the embedding cassette 1 and the four side surfaces 1F, 1B, It is easy to adhere to 1L and 1R. The embedding agent removal apparatus of this embodiment removes this unnecessary paraffin P that has been stuck.

  The embedding cassette 1 from which unnecessary paraffin P has been removed is then manually or mechanically fixed on the stage of the slicing device, and then the embedding block B is sliced to produce a thin slice M. The This thin section M is fixed on a substrate G such as a slide glass after removing distortions such as wrinkles and curls generated at the time of slicing by a liquid such as water or hot water, and then the thin section M is fixed to a thin section as shown in FIG. This is a specimen H.

[Embedding agent removal device]
Then, the embedding agent removal apparatus of this embodiment is demonstrated.
As shown in FIG. 3, the embedding agent removing apparatus 10 includes a heating plate 2 that heats the bottom surface 1C of the embedding cassette 1 and four side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, and 1R that heat the embedding cassette 1. Two heating blocks, a heating block 3 and a second heating block 4, a movable part 5 for moving the second heating block 4, a recovery container 6 disposed below the heating plate 2, and each of these components And a control unit 7 for controlling.

  The heating plate 2 is, for example, a metal plate-like member disposed in parallel with the horizontal direction, and the upper surface is a mounting surface 2a on which the embedding cassette 1 is mounted. The heating plate 2 incorporates a heater (not shown) inside and is heated to a desired set temperature by the temperature control unit 11. In this embodiment, it is set to be heated to approximately 90 ° C., which is a temperature not lower than the melting point (approximately 60 ° C.) and not higher than the boiling point of the paraffin P. This makes it possible to heat the bottom surface 1C of the embedding cassette 1 placed on the placement surface 2a to approximately 90 ° C.

  The first heating block 3 and the second heating block 4 are both L-shaped metal members in plan view disposed on the mounting surface 2 a of the heating plate 2, and are not shown inside like the heating plate 2. A heater is built in and is heated to a desired set temperature by the temperature controller 11. In the present embodiment, the heating plate 2 is set to be heated to about 90 ° C. as in the heating plate 2.

  The first heating block 3 is formed in an L shape in plan view so as to be in contact with one of the front surface 1F and the left and right surfaces 1L and 1R (1L) of the embedding cassette 1, and is placed on the mounting surface 2a of the heating plate 2 It is fixed. On the other hand, the second heating block 4 is formed in an L shape in plan view so as to be in contact with the rear surface 1B of the embedding cassette 1 and the other of the left and right surfaces 1L, 1R (1R). Are disposed on the mounting surface 2a so as to have a point-symmetrical relationship with respect to the mounting surface 2a, and are movable in the in-plane direction of the mounting surface 2a.

Specifically, the second heating block 4 is moved by the movable part 5 so as to approach and separate from the first heating block 3. More specifically, the first heating block 3 is moved along a diagonal line connecting the corner of the second heating block 4 and the corner of the second heating block 4.
Then, as the second heating block 4 moves, the embedding cassette 1 placed on the placement surface 2a is surrounded and sandwiched in cooperation between the first heating block 3 and the second heating block 4, The four side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, and 1R of the embedding cassette 1 are heated.
The movable part 5 may be a mechanism using a piston or a mechanism using a ball screw or the like, and a generally known mechanism may be adopted.

  The operation of the temperature control unit 11 is further controlled by the control unit 7. Moreover, it is preferable that the material of the heating plate 2, the 1st heating block 3, and the 2nd heating block 4 shall be the material excellent in heat conduction, such as silver, copper, and aluminum.

By the way, many collection | recovery parts (holes) 12 are formed in the heating plate 2 of this embodiment over the whole surface. These recovery units 12 open to the mounting surface 2 a and penetrate through the heating plate 2 in the thickness direction, and the paraffin P melted by the heating of the heating plate 2, the first heating block 3, and the second heating block 4. It plays the role which guides to the collection container 6.
As shown in FIG. 4, the recovery unit 12 is formed in a straight shape from the mounting surface 2 a of the heating plate 2 to the substantially middle portion in the thickness direction, and a portion from the substantially middle portion in the thickness direction toward the lower surface side is gradually formed. It is formed to expand the diameter. Therefore, a part of the recovery unit 12 below the heating plate 2 is a tapered surface 12a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the recovery container 6 is disposed below the heating plate 2 and is a member that plays a role of recovering the melted paraffin P. The heating container 6a and the heating container 6a And a rubber container body 6b disposed on the inner side.

  The heating container 6a is a container designed so that the opening size of the upper part is larger than that of the heating plate 2, and a heater (not shown) incorporated by the temperature control unit 11 is heated to increase the temperature. It is placed on the weight detection table 15. In this embodiment, the heating container 6a is set to be heated to approximately 90 ° C., which is a temperature not lower than the melting point (approximately 60 ° C.) and not higher than the boiling point of the paraffin P. Moreover, the temperature control part 11 functions also as a container heating means.

The rubber container body 6b is formed from a rubber material having heat resistance at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the paraffin P, and is disposed and heated inside the heating container 6a. The container body 6b is heated by the heating container 6a, so that the melted paraffin P hanging from the heating plate 2 does not stretch and harden inside the container body 6b, and a space is formed inside the container body 6b. It is filled with melted paraffin P without making it.
By removing the container body 6b from the heating container 6a, the paraffin P can be solidified in accordance with the inner method of the container body 6b and solidified by pulling and deforming the rubber container body 6b. It is possible to take out the paraffin P in a lump and easily and cleanly remove it.

  The weight detection table 15 is set to zero by the weight of the recovery container 6 in the empty state, detects the increase in weight of the recovery container 6 when the melted paraffin P is recovered, The detected weight is transmitted to the control unit 7. That is, the weight of the collected paraffin P is transmitted to the control unit 7.

  The control unit 7 comprehensively controls each of the above-described components. For example, the heating plate 2, the first heating block 3, the second heating block 4, and the heating container 6a are each heated to a desired temperature. The temperature controller 11 is controlled. Further, when the embedding cassette 1 is placed on the placement surface 2 a of the heating plate 2, the movable portion 5 is controlled so that the second heating block 4 is moved. Furthermore, a recovery ratio with respect to the recovery capacity of the recovery container 6, that is, a recovery rate, is calculated based on the weight of the paraffin P sent from the weight detection table 15, and an alarm or the like is notified when a certain recovery rate is reached. It has become.

[Effect of embedding agent removal device]
Next, a method for removing unnecessary paraffin P fixed from the embedding cassette 1 by the embedding agent removing apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described.
First, it is assumed that the heating plate 2, the first heating block 3, the second heating block 4, and the heating container 6a are all heated to a desired temperature. Further, it is assumed that the collection container 6 is still empty.

Subsequently, the operation of removing the paraffin P is started.
First, as shown in FIG. 3, a step of mounting the embedding cassette 1 on the mounting surface 2 a of the heating plate 2 is performed. This process may be performed mechanically by a machine such as a robot, or may be performed manually by an operator. When the embedding cassette 1 is placed on the placement surface 2a, the bottom surface 1C of the embedding cassette 1 begins to be gradually heated by the heating plate 2, and at the same time, the movable part 5 moves the second heating block 4. To start.

Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, the second heating block 4 is in the in-plane direction of the placement surface 2 a and connects the corner of the first heating block 3 and the corner of the second heating block 4. It moves so that it may approach the 1st heating block 3 along a diagonal line, and, as shown in FIG. 6, it cooperates with this 1st heating block 3, and it pinches | interposes surrounding the circumference | surroundings of the embedding cassette 1 (clamping process). .
During this clamping process, the four side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, 1R of the embedding cassette 1 begin to be gradually heated as the second heating block 4 approaches the first heating block 3. When the go is finished, the bottom surface 1C and the four side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, 1R of the embedding cassette 1 are efficiently heated by the heating plate 2, the first heating block 3, and the second heating block 4. (Heating step).

And even if unnecessary paraffin P adheres to the bottom surface 1C and the four side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, 1R of the embedding cassette 1 in the production stage of the embedding block B by this heating process, these paraffin P Can be melted and dissolved from the embedding cassette 1.
In particular, since the paraffin P can be removed simultaneously from the bottom surface 1C and the four side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, and 1R, it is possible to remove efficiently and reliably. Further, since it is not necessary to manually perform the removal work as in the prior art, it is safe and can be removed with a uniform finish, and it is safe and there is no risk of damaging the embedding cassette 1 side.

As described above, according to the embedding agent removing apparatus 10 and the embedding agent removing method of the present embodiment, unnecessary paraffin P fixed to the embedding cassette 1 can be safely and reliably removed without damaging the embedding cassette 1. In addition, it can be efficiently removed with a uniform finish.
Further, since the second heating block 4 approaches the first heating block 3 while moving along a diagonal line, the embedding cassette 1 is slightly oriented with respect to both the heating blocks 3 and 4 as shown in FIG. Even if placed in an inclined state, the posture of the embedding cassette 1 can be corrected, and finally the embedding cassette 1 can be surrounded by both heating blocks 3 and 4 as shown in FIG. .
Therefore, since it is not necessary to pay special attention to the mounting of the embedding cassette 1, it is easy to use and efficient paraffin P removal work can be performed.

  By the way, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the paraffin P melted from the bottom surface 1C and the four side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, 1R of the embedding cassette 1 is passed through the collection unit 12 from the placement surface 2a. While being able to eliminate rapidly, it can collect | recover in the collection container 6 arrange | positioned under the heating plate 2. FIG. In particular, since the melted paraffin P can be quickly removed from the mounting surface 2a, it is possible to prevent the melted paraffin P from being attached to the embedding cassette 1, and to prevent re-adhesion to ensure removal. Can be improved.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the paraffin P passing through the recovery unit 12 falls into the recovery container 6 after reaching the lower surface side of the heating plate 2 and is recovered. The liquid flows smoothly along the tapered surface 12a while rapidly expanding, and then falls into the collection container 6. Therefore, the paraffin P stays in the recovery unit 12 and is difficult to be clogged, and the paraffin P wraps around the lower surface side of the heating plate 2 and adheres to the lower surface, and the recovery unit 12 is blocked due to the accumulation of the adhesion. hard. Therefore, the paraffin P can be reliably introduced into the collection container 6 through the collection unit 12.

  Moreover, since the melt | dissolved paraffin P can be collect | recovered, reuse of the collect | recovered paraffin P is easy, and it can lead to a cost cut. Moreover, since the embedding cassette 1 is not damaged as described above, the cutting pieces (cutting chips) of the embedding cassette 1 are hardly mixed into the removed paraffin P. Therefore, it is easy to recycle the paraffin P from this point.

Furthermore, since the collection container 6 of this embodiment has the rubber container body 6b disposed inside the heating container 6a, it is easy to take out the paraffin P solidified in the container after collection. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, after the rubber container body 6b is taken out of the heating container 6a, it is allowed to cool to room temperature. After the paraffin P is solidified by this cooling, the container body 6b is deformed by stretching by pulling or the like, so that the solidified paraffin P can be easily peeled off from the container body 6b, and the solidified paraffin P is made into a lump. It can be easily taken out from the main body 6b.
In addition, as the rubber container body 6b, one having a property such that the paraffin P can be easily peeled is preferable, and for example, silicon rubber is preferable.

  When the paraffin P melted in the collection container 6 starts to be collected, the weight detection table 15 transmits the weight of the collected paraffin P to the control unit 7. Then, the control unit 7 calculates the recovery rate in the recovery container 6 from the sent weight, and notifies the fact when it reaches a certain recovery rate. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the collection container 6 from being filled with the collected paraffin P, and it is possible to perform the operation of taking out the collected paraffin P at an optimal timing.

By the way, heating the bottom surface 1C and the four side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, 1R of the embedding cassette 1 for a certain time in a state where the embedding cassette 1 is sandwiched and surrounded by the first heating block 3 and the second heating block 4. If it carries out, the movable part 5 will move the 2nd heating block 4 again (retreat), and will space apart from the 1st heating block 3. FIG.
Thereby, it becomes possible to collect | recover the embedding cassette 1 from which the paraffin P was removed from the heating plate 2, and mount the next new embedding cassette 1 which needs the removal of the paraffin P on the mounting surface 2a. Is possible.
Thereafter, by repeating the above-described series of flow removal methods, a large number of embedding cassettes 1 can be processed one after another efficiently.

In the first embodiment, when the movable unit 5 moves the second heating block 4, the movable unit 5 may continue to move until a predetermined amount of movement is reached.
In this case, even if the movement of the second heating block 4 is once prevented by the influence of the paraffin P fixed to the side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, 1R of the embedding cassette 1, the second heating is performed while melting the paraffin P. Block 4 can be moved further. Accordingly, by setting the amount of movement in consideration of the size of the embedding cassette 1, the first side surface 4F, 1B, 1L, 1R of the embedding cassette 1 is not affected by the thickness of the fixed paraffin P. It is possible to press the heating block 3 and the second heating block 4. Therefore, even if there is a thickness of the fixed paraffin P, the paraffin P can be more easily dissolved and removed.

Moreover, in the said 1st Embodiment, as shown to Fig.8 (a), the paraffin P fuse | melted on the contact surface (surface which contacts the embedding cassette 1) of the 1st heating block 3 and the 2nd heating block 4 is shown. A discharge portion 20 having a groove shape or a hole shape may be formed.
Specifically, the discharge portion 20 is a V-shaped groove portion extending in the thickness direction, and a plurality of discharge portions 20 are formed on the contact surface with an interval therebetween. By forming the discharge portion 20 in this way, it is possible to make unevenness and increase the surface area of the contact surface, so that it is easy to melt the paraffin P by increasing the heating efficiency.

  Further, since the melted paraffin P can be actively flowed to the heating plate 2 side through the discharge portion 20 having the groove shape or the hole shape, the melted paraffin P can be used for the first heating block 3 and the second heating block. 4 and the upper surface of the embedding cassette 1 are difficult to get on. Therefore, it is possible to improve the reliability of removal while preventing the melted paraffin P from flowing and sticking to an unintended location.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, when the discharge unit 20 is formed so that the opening gradually becomes wider toward the lower side of the first heating block 3 and the second heating block 4, the melted paraffin P can be more actively flowed to the heating plate 2 side.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a guide portion 21 formed of an elastic body such as rubber may be disposed above the heating plate 2. Specifically, the guide portion 21 is a flexible plate member having a base end portion that is cantilevered by a support portion (not shown) and a distal end portion that is a free end. And this guide part 21 is located above the embedding cassette 1, the 1st heating block 3, and the 2nd heating block 4, and is arrange | positioned at the height which the front-end | tip part contacts the side surface of the embedding block B. It is installed.

When the guide portion 21 is arranged in this way, when the embedding cassette 1 is placed on the placement surface 2a of the heating plate 2, for example, the embedding cassette 1 is placed on the placement surface 2a from the direction of arrow A. Even if it is carried in vigorously, the momentum can be absorbed by the guide portion 21. That is, even if the embedding cassette 1 has momentum at the time of carrying in, the embedding block B comes into contact with the guide portion 21 and the guide portion 21 is bent and deformed to absorb the momentum of the embedding cassette 1. it can.
Accordingly, the embedding cassette 1 can be reliably retained on the mounting surface 2a without excessively contacting the embedding cassette 1 with the first heating block 3 and the second heating block 4, and the orientation of the embedding cassette 1 can be changed. It can be made to stay without changing excessively (for example, rotating 90 degrees).
Therefore, even if it is set as the structure which carries in the embedding cassette 1 on the mounting surface 2a using a conveyor etc., since stable mounting of the embedding cassette 1 is realizable by the said guide part 21, at the time of carrying in, Easy to handle mechanization.

Further, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the recovery part 12 having a hole shape in the heating plate 2 is formed in a straight shape over the thickness direction, and the recovery part 12 is formed on the lower surface side of the heating plate 2. You may provide the ring member 22 surrounding 12 opening.
Even in this case, since the melted paraffin P can be restricted by the ring member 22 from passing around the lower surface side of the heating plate 2 when passing through the recovery unit 12, the recovery unit 12 is paraffin. It is difficult to block with P, and the paraffin P is easily dropped toward the collection container 6.
In place of the recovery unit 12 having a hole shape, a recovery unit having a groove shape that guides the paraffin P to the recovery container 6 may be provided on the heating plate 2.

Further, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a detachable trap panel (cover body) 23 covering the embedding cassette 1 placed above the heating plate 2 is provided. I do not care.
Specifically, the trap panel 23 is a heat dissipating member in which a plurality of fins 23 a are attached to the upper surface of a metallic plate, and is set to maintain a temperature lower than the melting point of the paraffin P.

  By disposing the trap panel 23 in this way, even if the paraffin P is vaporized when the embedding cassette 1 is heated, the vaporized paraffin P can be attached to the trap panel 23. Then, the attached paraffin P is quickly solidified and fixed because the trap panel 23 is set at a temperature lower than the melting point of the paraffin P. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the attached paraffin P from falling toward the embedding block B or the embedding cassette 1 and re-adhering.

  Thus, since the vaporized paraffin P can be positively fixed to the trap panel 23, the vaporized paraffin P can be fixed to an unintended location, or can be fixed again to the embedding block B or the embedding cassette 1. Can be prevented. In addition, when a large amount of fixed paraffin P accumulates, the trap panel 23 can be easily replaced. Moreover, since the trap panel 23 covers the upper part of the embedding cassette 1, even if odor is generated when the paraffin P is heated, it is easy to trap the odor.

  Moreover, in the said 1st Embodiment, although the collection | recovery container 6 was comprised by the heating container 6a and the rubber container main body 6b, you may heat a heat-resistant rubber container directly with a heater. In this case, the heater functions as a container heating means.

In the first embodiment, the embedding cassette 1 is sandwiched between the first heating block 3 and the second heating block 4 and heated, and then the second heating block 4 is separated from the first heating block 3. There is no need for immediate separation.
For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the second heating block 4 is moved along the diagonal line so as to approach the first heating block 3, and the embedding cassette 1 is sandwiched between the heating blocks 3 and 4 (pressing step). At the same time, the second heating block 4 may be reciprocated during heating (heating process). Specifically, the second heating block 4 is reciprocated along the side surface 1R while the second heating block 4 is in contact with the side surface 1R of the embedding cassette 1.

  By carrying out like this, the unnecessary paraffin P which has adhered can be melted away from the side surface 1 </ b> R rather than simply heating the embedding cassette 1. Therefore, the removal of paraffin P can be performed more reliably.

  In the illustrated case, the second heating block 4 is reciprocated along the side surface 1R of the embedding cassette 1. However, the rear surface 1B remains in contact with the rear surface 1B. You may make it reciprocate along. Further, when the embedding cassette 1 is mounted on the mounting surface 2a of the heating plate 2 with the orientation of the embedding cassette 1 being changed by approximately 180 degrees, the paraffin P is more reliably secured from the side surface 1L or the front surface 1F of the embedding cassette 1. It can also be dissolved in In particular, as described above, since the identification code is recorded on the front surface 1F of the embedding cassette 1, it is preferable to dissolve the paraffin P from the front surface 1F.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
The embedding agent removing apparatus 30 of the present embodiment is configured to be performed automatically, including a step of carrying the embedding cassette 1 into the heating plate 2 and a step of carrying out the embedding cassette 1 after heating. Device.

[Embedding agent removal device]
As shown in FIG. 14, the embedding agent removing apparatus 30 of the present embodiment includes a housing 31 that houses a plurality of embedding cassettes 1 and a plurality of embedding cassettes 1 that are housed in the housing 31. An arbitrarily selected one is carried in on the placing surface 2a of the heating plate 2, a carrying-in part 32, a transfer part 34 for transferring the embedded cassette 1 after heating onto the wiping table 33, and a wiping table 33 The wiping unit 35 for wiping the bottom surface 1C and the four side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, and 1R of the embedding cassette 1 with the wiping cloths 65, 66, and 67 simultaneously and the wiped embedding cassette 1 is carried out. In addition, an unloading portion 37 that is housed in the storage body 36 and a device case 38 that houses these components are provided.

First, the device case 38 will be described.
The device case 38 is formed in a box shape as a whole, and an internal space is divided into an upper space E1 and a lower space E2 by an intermediate panel 38a. And each main component is arrange | positioned in the upper space E1. The temperature control unit 11 and the control unit 7 are connected to the device case 38.

Next, the arrangement positions of the heating plate 2 and the collection container 6 of this embodiment will be described.
First, in the upper space E1, a support frame body 40 fixed on the intermediate panel 38a is disposed, and the carry-in plate 41 and the heating plate 2 are arranged in parallel above the support frame body 40. It is supported horizontally.
In the lower space E2 located below the support frame body 40, the collection container 6 is disposed in a state of being placed on the weight detection table 15. Note that an opening (not shown) is formed in the intermediate panel 38a, and the melted paraffin P passes through the recovery part 12 of the heating plate 2 and then passes through the inside of the support frame 40 and this opening, and then the recovery container. It falls into 6 and is collected.

Next, the container 31 will be described.
The container 31 is separated from the heating plate 2 in the upper space E1 and is disposed at substantially the same height, and a long supply base 42 extending in one direction, and the supply base 42 And a storage tray 44 set on the conveyor 43.

  The supply base 42 has a pair of guide wall portions 42a arranged in parallel with the conveyor 43 interposed therebetween, and protrudes from the upper surface, and is formed in a substantially C shape in a sectional view. The conveyor 43 is disposed on the upper surface of the supply base 42 and is accommodated in a portion defined by the upper surface and the pair of guide wall portions 42a. And this conveyor 43 can be moved to the longitudinal direction of the supply stand 42 by the drive mechanism which is not shown in figure.

The storage trays 44 are substantially C-shaped trays in section view in which the embedding cassette 1 can be stored, and a plurality of storage trays 44 are set in a line on the conveyor 43. The embedding cassette 1 is accommodated in each of the plurality of storage trays 44.
Therefore, the plurality of embedding cassettes 1 can be moved on the supply table 42 as the conveyor 43 moves while being accommodated in the storage tray 44.

Next, the carrying-in part 32 is demonstrated.
This carrying-in part 32 is conveyed with the 1st carrying-in part 50 which conveys the embedding cassette 1 arbitrarily selected from the some embedding cassette 1 accommodated in the container 31 on the said carrying-in board 41. And a second carry-in section 51 for feeding the embedded cassette 1 onto the mounting surface 2a of the heating plate 2.

The first carry-in section 50 is disposed above the supply table 42 and the carry-in plate 41, and a guide rail 52 disposed so as to be bridged between the two. And a hand unit 53 that is movable.
The hand portion 53 can be moved up and down, and can sandwich the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B of the embedding cassette 1 using a pair of claw portions 53a. Thereby, the embedding cassette 1 accommodated in the storage tray 44 can be taken out from the container 31 and conveyed onto the carry-in plate 41.
In addition, a notch portion is formed in a part of the guide wall portion 42a of the supply base 42 located directly below the guide rail 52, and functions as a carry-out port 42b. Therefore, it is possible to take out the embedding cassette 1 from the container 31 through the carry-out port 42b by simply sliding the embedding cassette 1 without lifting it.

By the way, as shown in FIG.14 and FIG.15, the positioning block 55 for positioning the embedding cassette 1 conveyed by the hand part 53 is being fixed on the carrying-in board 41. FIG. As a result, the embedding cassette 1 can be transported to a predetermined position each time using the positioning block 55.
Further, on the carry-in plate 41, an extrusion block 56 that pushes the embedding cassette 1 positioned by the positioning block 55 so as to slide on the carry-in plate 41 and feeds it onto the placement surface 2a is disposed. The push block 56 is fixed to the tip of a push rod 58 that is movable with respect to the push body 57. The embedding cassette 1 is pushed out from the carry-in plate 41 onto the placement surface 2 a of the heating plate 2 by the push-out block 56.
The extrusion main body portion 57, the extrusion rod 58, and the extrusion block 56 function as the second carry-in portion 51.

By the way, the second heating block 4 of the present embodiment is disposed so as to be located at the push-out destination of the push-out block 56 and is fixed to the tip of the movable rod 61 that is movable with respect to the movable main body 60. ing. Therefore, the second heating block 4 can be moved closer to and away from the first heating block 3 by the movement of the movable rod 61 and can be sandwiched while surrounding the embedding cassette 1 in cooperation with the first heating block 3. It is said that.
The movable main body 60 and the movable rod 61 described above function as the movable part 5. The movable main body 60 is fixed to the corner of the heating plate 2.

Next, the wiping table 33 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 14, the wiping table 33 is a table formed in a long shape so as to extend in parallel to the supply table 42, and the upper surface is flush with the mounting surface 2 a of the heating plate 2. One end side is connected and fixed to the heating plate 2 with the height set to be. A slider 62 connected to the storage body 36 is fixed to the other end side of the wiping table 33.
The lateral width of the wiping table 33 is substantially the same as the lateral width of the embedding cassette 1 in the left-right direction. In addition, the wiping table 33 has a heater (not shown) built in the heating plate 2, the first heating block 3, the second heating block 4, and the heating container 6 a, and the melting point of the paraffin P by the temperature control unit 11. As mentioned above, it is heated to a temperature below the boiling point.

  By the way, the embedding agent removing apparatus 30 of the present embodiment wipes the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B out of the four side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L and 1R of the embedding cassette 1 on the wiping table 33, Thereafter, the remaining left and right surfaces 1L and 1R are wiped, and then the bottom surface 1C is wiped. That is, it is configured to use the three wiping cloths 65, 66, and 67 to wipe each separately in the above order.

Next, these three wiping cloths 65, 66, and 67 will be described.
These three wiping cloths 65, 66, and 67 are all formed in a strip shape extending in one direction, and are used by being drawn out from the roll portions 65a, 66a, and 67a wound in a roll shape. The material of the wiping cloths 65, 66, 67 may be paper, 100% cotton or other woven or non-woven fabric, and is not particularly limited. However, it is preferable that the material has a certain tensile strength, little elongation, and good paraffin P absorption.

  Of the three wiping cloths 65, 66 and 67, the first wiping cloth 65 is used for wiping the front and rear surfaces 1 </ b> F and 1 </ b> B of the embedding cassette 1, and the second wiping cloth 66 is used for the left and right sides of the embedding cassette 1. The third wiping cloth 67 is used for wiping the bottom surface 1 </ b> C of the embedding cassette 1.

  The first wiping cloth 65 has a roll portion 65a rotatably held on a support plate 70 fixed on the intermediate panel 38a, and is used by being drawn out by a first drawing portion 72 disposed in the lower space E2. Has been. At this time, the first wiping cloth 65 is drawn around the side and the lower side of the wiping table 33 after being pulled out from the roll portion 65a.

This will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, a side surface wiping platform 80 is disposed between the wiping table 33 and the intermediate panel 38a. The side surface wiping base 80 is formed to be long along the wiping base 33, and the top wall portion 81 is located below the wiping base 33. A pair of base parts 82 are fixed on the top wall part 81 so as to face each other with the wiping table 33 interposed therebetween. The height of the base portion 82 is adjusted so that the upper surface thereof is higher than the upper surface of the embedding cassette 1 placed on the wiping table 33. A direction changing roller 83 is rotatably supported on the upper surfaces of the pair of base portions 82. In addition, an insertion hole 81 a (see FIG. 16) through which the first wiping cloth 65 is inserted is formed in the top wall portion 81 inside the pair of base portions 82.

  And after the 1st wiping cloth 65 is pulled out from the roll part 65a, it changes direction by the direction change roller 83 located in this roll part 65a side, passes through the insertion hole 81a, and once of the top wall part 81 It is drawn down. Then, after being passed over two lower rollers 84 (see FIG. 16) fixed to the side surface wiping base 80, it passes through the insertion hole 81a again and is routed above the top wall 81, By being stretched over the remaining direction changing roller 83, it goes toward the intermediate panel 38 a while passing the outside of the side surface wiping base 80. And after passing the slit-shaped through-hole 85 (refer FIG. 14) formed in the intermediate | middle panel 38a, it winds up by the winding-up part 86 via the 1st drawer | drawing-out part 72 at roll shape.

  As described above, the first wiping cloth 65 is designed to be drawn out by the first drawing portion 72 while being wound around the side and the lower side of the wiping table 33 and finally wound up by the winding portion 86. Has been.

Next, the second wiping cloth 66 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 14, the second wiping cloth 66 has a roll portion 66 a rotatably held on the same support plate 70 as the first wiping cloth 65, and between the first wiping cloth 65 and the slider 62. It is arranged. And as shown in FIG.14 and FIG.17, by the same mechanism as each handling mechanism of the 1st wiping cloth 65 mentioned above, by the 2nd drawer | drawing-out part 73, being routed so that the side and the lower part of the wiping stand 33 may be surrounded. It is designed to be drawn out and finally taken up by the take-up portion 86. Therefore, the detailed description of each component is the same as described above, and will be omitted.

Next, the third wiping cloth 67 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 14, the third wiping cloth 67 is fixed on the intermediate panel 38a in a state in which the first wiping cloth 65 and the second wiping cloth 66 are arranged in parallel to the support plate 70 on which the third wiping cloth 65 is supported. A roll portion 67 a is rotatably held on the support plate 71, and is disposed between the second wiping cloth 66 and the slider 62. And after the 3rd wiping cloth 67 is pulled out from the roll part 67a, it is arranged so that it may overlap with the upper surface of the wiping stand 33. FIG.

This will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 18, a bottom surface wiping mount 87 is disposed between the wiping table 33 and the intermediate panel 38a. The bottom surface wiping frame 87 is fixed on the intermediate panel 38 a via the support column 88 and is located below the wiping table 33. On this bottom surface wiping base 87, a direction changing roller 89a is rotatably supported on the roll portion 67a side. At this time, the height of the direction changing roller 89 a is adjusted so that the lowest point thereof is flush with the upper surface of the wiping table 33.
On the other hand, on the bottom wiping base 87, another direction changing roller 89b is rotatably supported at a position facing the direction changing roller 89a across the wiping table 33. The direction changing roller 89 b is adjusted in height so that the uppermost point is flush with the upper surface of the wiping table 33.

  On the bottom surface wiping base 87, a pair of cassette regulating plates 90 are disposed on the inner side of the two direction changing rollers 89a and 89b so as to face each other with the wiping base 33 interposed therebetween. The pair of cassette regulating plates 90 are in contact with the left and right surfaces 1L and 1R of the embedded cassette 1 that has been transferred, and play a role of regulating the sideways sliding of the embedded cassette 1 as the third wiping cloth 67 moves. ing.

  Then, after the third wiping cloth 67 is pulled out from the roll portion 67a, the third wiping cloth 67 is horizontally turned by the direction changing roller 89a located on the roll portion 67a side, and is drawn around in a state where it overlaps the upper surface of the wiping table 33. After that, it is stretched over the remaining direction changing roller 89b, changing its direction downward and passing toward the intermediate panel 38a while passing the outside of the bottom surface wiping mount 87. And after passing the slit-shaped through-hole 85 formed in the intermediate | middle panel 38a, it winds up by the winding-up part 86 via the 3rd drawer | drawing-out part 74 at roll shape.

  As described above, the third wiping cloth 67 is designed to be drawn out by the third drawing portion 74 while being wound around the upper surface of the wiping table 33 and finally taken up by the winding portion 86. .

  By the way, in this embodiment, on the wiping stand 33, the position where the 1st wiping cloth 65, the 2nd wiping cloth 66, and the 3rd wiping cloth 67 which were mentioned above stand by is respectively 1st wiping point, 2nd wiping point, and This is the third wiping point. Further, a discrimination point for discriminating the front and back of the embedding cassette 1 is set between the heating plate 2 and the first wiping point.

  At this discrimination point, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 19, a pair of sensors (discrimination units) 91 are arranged so as to face each other with the wiping table 33 interposed therebetween. The pair of sensors 91 irradiates the detection light L1 toward the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B of the embedding cassette 1 on the wiping table 33 that has been transferred to the discrimination point, and receives the reflected light L2. Has been. And the control part 7 discriminate | determines before and behind the embedding cassette 1 by the presence or absence of reception of the reflected light L2 by these pair of sensors 91. FIG.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, since the front surface 1F of the embedding cassette 1 is an inclined surface to which an identification code is applied, the irradiated detection light L1 is reflected in a direction different from the irradiation direction. The Therefore, the sensor 91 that irradiates the front surface 1F with the detection light L1 does not receive the reflected light L2. On the other hand, since the rear surface 1B of the embedding cassette 1 is a vertical surface, the irradiated detection light L1 is reflected in the same direction as the irradiation direction. Therefore, the sensor 91 that irradiates the detection light L1 to the rear surface 1B receives the reflected light L2.
In this manner, the embedding cassette 1 can be determined based on the presence or absence of the reflected light L2 from the pair of sensors 91.

Next, the transfer unit 34 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 14, the transfer unit 34 moves the embedding cassette 1 that has been heated on the heating plate 2 from the placement surface 2 a to each position on the wiping table 33, specifically, the discrimination point, the first It is a member which transfers to a wiping point, a 2nd wiping point, and a 3rd wiping point in this order, respectively, Comprising: The 1st transfer hand (transfer hand) 95 and the 2nd transfer hand (transfer hand) 96 are provided. Yes.

  The first transfer hand 95 is movable in the front / rear, left / right and up / down directions above the wiping table 33 and is rotatable about the vertical axis, and the left / right sides of the embedding cassette 1 placed on the placement surface 2a. This is a hand for transferring the embedding cassette 1 by sliding on the mounting surface 2a and the wiping table 33 while sandwiching 1L and 1R.

  Specifically, the first transfer hand 95 transfers the embedding cassette 1 from the placement surface 2a to the determination point, and then transfers the embedding cassette 1 from the determination point to the first wiping point, and then from the first wiping point to the second wiping point. It is controlled by the control unit 7 so as to be transferred to the wiping point.

In particular, when the control unit 7 determines that the front surface 1F of the embedding cassette 1 is directed toward the rolls 65a, 66a, and 67a of the wiping cloths 65, 66, and 67 at the determination point, the determination point When the embedding cassette 1 is transferred from the first wiping point to the first wiping point, the first transfer hand 95 is controlled so as to change the direction of the embedding cassette 1 by 180 degrees.
In this case, the first transfer hand 95 rotates 180 degrees around the vertical axis, changes the orientation of the embedding cassette 1 while sliding on the wiping table 33, and the first wiping while turning the front surface 1F toward the supply table 42. It is to be transferred to the point.

In addition, when the embedding cassette 1 is transferred from the first wiping point to the second wiping point, the control unit 7 changes the direction of the embedding cassette 1 by 90 degrees so that the front surface 1F faces the slider 62 side. The first transfer hand 95 is also controlled.
As described above, the first transfer hand 95 sandwiches the left and right surfaces 1L, 1R of the embedding cassette 1 before and after the embedding cassette 1 regardless of the point at which the embedding cassette 1 is transferred. The surfaces 1F and 1B are not sandwiched.

Subsequently, the second transfer hand 96 is movable in the front and rear, right and left directions and up and down directions above the wiping table 33, and by sliding on the wiping table 33 while sandwiching the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B of the embedding cassette 1, It is a hand for transferring the embedding cassette 1.
Specifically, the second transfer hand 96 is controlled by the control unit 7 so as to transfer from the second wiping point to the third wiping point and then transfer from the third wiping point to the slider 62.

  In particular, the second transfer hand 96 transfers the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B of the embedding cassette 1 that the first transfer hand 95 does not touch. Further, when the second transfer hand 96 transfers the embedding cassette 1 to the third wiping point, the second transfer hand 96 presses the embedding cassette 1 downward to relatively place the third wiping cloth 67 on the bottom surface of the embedding cassette 1. It also plays a role in pressing against 1C.

Next, the wiping unit 35 will be described.
The wiping unit 35 includes a first wiping unit 100 that wipes the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B of the embedding cassette 1 using the first wiping cloth 65, and a left and right surface of the embedding cassette 1 using the second wiping cloth 66. The 2nd wiping part 101 which wipes 1L and 1R and the 3rd wiping part 102 which wipes the bottom face 1C of the embedding cassette 1 using the 3rd wiping cloth 67 are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, the first wiping unit 100 includes a pair of pressing blocks (pressing units) 110 that press a part of the first wiping cloth 65 against the front and rear surfaces 1 </ b> F and 1 </ b> B of the embedding cassette 1, The first drawing part (moving part) 72 is configured to move the applied first wiping cloth 65 along the longitudinal direction thereof.
The pair of pressing blocks 110 are movably incorporated in the pair of base portions 82 described above, and when the embedding cassette 1 is conveyed to the first wiping point by the first transfer hand 95, the embedding cassette 1 side. The first wiping cloth 65 is pressed against the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B. At this time, the pressing block 110 located on the supply base 42 side has a contact surface inclined in accordance with the inclination of the front surface 1F of the embedding cassette 1, and the first wiping cloth 65 may be pressed against the entire front surface 1F. It is possible.

The operation of the pair of pressing blocks 110 is controlled by the control unit 7, and a heater (not shown) is incorporated therein, and is heated to a temperature not lower than the melting point of the paraffin P and not higher than the boiling point. Thus, the first wiping cloth 65 can be pressed against the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B of the embedding cassette 1 in a heated state.
Moreover, after the 1st wiping cloth 65 is pressed on the front-and-rear surfaces 1F and 1B of the embedding cassette 1, the control part 7 operates the 1st drawer | drawing-out part 72, and the front-and-rear surface 1F of the embedding cassette 1 and 1B is wiped off.

  14 and 17, the second wiping unit 101 includes a pair of pressing blocks (pressing units) 111 that press a part of the second wiping cloth 66 against the left and right surfaces 1L and 1R of the embedding cassette 1, and The second drawing part (moving part) 73 is configured to move the applied second wiping cloth 66 along the longitudinal direction thereof. Since the pair of pressing blocks 111 operate in the same manner as the first wiping unit 100 described above, description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 18, the third wiping unit 102 presses the embedding cassette 1 downward (arrow F shown in FIG. 18), and a part of the third wiping cloth 67 is placed on the bottom surface 1 </ b> C of the embedding cassette 1. The second transfer hand (pressing part) 96 to be pressed and the third drawing part (moving part) 74 to move the pressed third wiping cloth 67 along the longitudinal direction thereof are configured.
Even when the bottom surface 1C of the embedding cassette 1 is wiped by the third wiping cloth 67, since the wiping table 33 is heated, the bottom surface 1C of the embedding cassette 1 is still heated with the third wiping cloth 67 heated. Can be wiped out.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 20, the three drawing-out portions 72, 73, and 74 constituting each wiping portion 35 described above are engaged with each other with the wiping cloths 65, 66, and 67 interposed therebetween (rotating bodies). 115 and a driven gear (rotating body) 116. The operation of the drive gear 115 is controlled by the control unit 7 and is driven to rotate intermittently. By driving the drive gear 115, the driven gear 116 follows and rotates, and the wiping cloths 65, 66, 67 sandwiched between the two gears 115, 116 can be reliably moved without sliding. ing.
In the present embodiment, the wiping cloths 65, 66, and 67 are moved using the drive gear 115 and the driven gear 116. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two rotating bodies (for example, rubber rollers) are used. What is necessary is just to set it as the structure moved while pinching each wiping cloth 65,66,67. At this time, it is preferable that the outer peripheral surface is formed in an uneven shape like a gear.

Next, the storage body 36 and the carry-out part 37 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 14, the storage body 36 of the present embodiment is a simple box-shaped tray and is disposed outside the device case 38. A slider 62 is disposed so as to be bridged between the storage body 36 and the other end of the wiping table 33.
Further, after the wiping of the bottom surface 1 </ b> C of the embedding cassette 1 is completed, the second transfer hand 96 transfers the embedding cassette 1 from the third wiping point to the entrance of the slider 62 and puts it in the slider 62. As a result, the embedding cassette 1 is unloaded from the wiping table 33 and stored in the storage body 36. Therefore, the second transfer hand 96 and the slider 62 function as the carry-out unit 37.

[Effect of embedding agent removal device]
Next, a method for removing the unnecessary paraffin P fixed to the embedding cassette 1 using the embedding agent removing apparatus 30 configured as described above will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of storage trays 44 are set on the conveyor 43 of the container 31, and the embedding cassette 1 is stored in each of the storage trays 44. At this time, it is assumed that the embedding cassette 1 is accommodated such that the front surface 1F faces the outside of the device case 38b.
The heating plate 2, the first heating block 3, the second heating block 4, the heating container 6a, the wiping table 33, and the pressing blocks 110 and 111 are each heated to a temperature not lower than the melting point of the paraffin P and not higher than the boiling point. Shall.

First, the carrying-in process of mounting one arbitrarily selected from the plurality of embedding cassettes 1 stored in the container 31 on the mounting surface 2 a of the heating plate 2 is performed.
This will be described in detail.
When the embedding cassette 1 reaches the carry-out port 42 b formed in the supply table 42 by the movement of the conveyor 43, the conveyor 43 temporarily stops and the hand portion 53 of the first carry-in portion 50 is embedded along the guide rail 52. Move directly above cassette 1. The hand unit 53 slides the embedding cassette 1 through the carry-out port 42 b while sandwiching the front and rear surfaces 1 </ b> F and 1 </ b> B of the embedding cassette 1 and conveys it onto the loading plate 41. At this time, the embedding cassette 1 is positioned in contact with the positioning block 55 as shown in FIG.
Note that the hand unit 53 that has been transported transitions to a standby state in preparation for transport of the next embedding cassette 1.

When the embedding cassette 1 is conveyed onto the carry-in plate 41, the push-out rod 58 of the second carry-in portion 51 moves and pushes out the embedding cassette 1 through the push-out block 56 so as to slide. As a result, the embedding cassette 1 is slid onto the mounting surface 2 a of the heating plate 2 and positioned in contact with the second heating block 4.
At this point, the carry-in process ends.

Subsequently, the movable rod 61 is moved to move the embedding cassette 1 through the second heating block 4 so as to approach the first heating block 3 while sliding on the placement surface 2a. As a result, the second heating block 4 can be sandwiched while surrounding the embedding cassette 1 in cooperation with the first heating block 3 (clamping step).
Thereafter, as in the first embodiment described above, the heating step by the heating plate 2, the first heating block 3, and the second heating block 4 is performed to melt the fixed unnecessary paraffin P, and the embedding cassette The work of removing so as to dissolve away from 1 is performed.

By the way, according to the embedding agent removal apparatus 30 of this embodiment, the operation | work which wipes further the bottom face 1C and four side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, 1R of the embedding cassette 1 after this is performed automatically.
First, when the melting of the paraffin P is completed by heating, the movable rod 61 returns to the original state, the second heating block 4 is separated from the first heating block 3, and the embedding of the embedding cassette 1 is released.

Then, the first transfer hand 95 sandwiches the left and right surfaces 1L, 1R of the embedding cassette 1 and moves the embedding cassette 1 while sliding on the mounting surface 2a of the heating plate 2 and the wiping table 33, and wiping. Move to the discrimination point on the table 33. And the operation | work which discriminate | determines correctly before and behind the embedding cassette 1 in this position, and reconfirms is performed.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B of the embedding cassette 1 are irradiated with detection light L1 from a pair of sensors 91, and the front and rear are determined based on the presence or absence of the reflected light L2. If the front surface 1F of the embedding cassette 1 is directed toward the supply table 42 as a result of the determination, the first transfer hand 95 holds the left and right surfaces 1L and 1R of the embedding cassette 1 and then moves over the wiping table 33. While being slid, the embedding cassette 1 is transferred to the first wiping point as it is.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the rear surface 1B of the embedding cassette 1 faces the supply base 42 side, the first transfer hand 95 sandwiches the left and right surfaces 1L and 1R of the embedding cassette 1 and then moves up and down. It rotates 180 degrees around the axis, the direction of the embedding cassette 1 is reversed on the wiping table 33, and then the embedding cassette 1 is transferred to the first wiping point while sliding on the wiping table 33.

  Thus, even when the embedding cassette 1 is stored in the reverse direction when stored in the storage tray 44, the direction can be corrected correctly, and the first wiping point is always set in a fixed direction. Can be transported.

  Then, when the embedding cassette 1 is transferred to the first wiping point, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, the pair of pressing blocks 110 moves to the embedding cassette 1 side, and the front and rear of the embedding cassette 1. The first wiping cloth 65 is pressed against the surfaces 1F and 1B, respectively. At this time, as described above, since the front surface 1F of the embedding cassette 1 is always oriented in a predetermined direction (direction located on the supply base 42 side), the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B and the pair of pressing blocks 110 are securely connected. The first wiping cloth 65 can be pressed against the entire front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B.

Subsequently, after the pressing of the first wiping cloth 65 is completed, the drive gear 115 of the first drawing portion 72 is rotationally driven. Accordingly, the first wiping cloth 65 sandwiched between the drive gear 115 and the driven gear 116 can be moved, and the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B of the embedding cassette 1 can be moved using the first wiping cloth 65. Can be wiped off.
Accordingly, even if the previously melted paraffin P remains on the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B, the residue can be wiped off at this point, and the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B are finished to a clean surface from which the paraffin P has been more reliably removed. be able to. And since it wipes in the state which heated the 1st wiping cloth 65, it can wipe off, melt | dissolving the remaining paraffin P, and can improve the wiping effect.

In particular, since the belt-shaped first wiping cloth 65 is moved, the wiping operation can be performed using a clean portion instead of wiping the same portion many times. Easy to finish on a cleaner surface.
In addition, since the first wiping cloth 65 is moved while pressing the first wiping cloth 65 against the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B, frictional resistance is likely to occur, but between the drive gear 115 and the driven gear 116 meshing with each other. Since the first wiping cloth 65 is sandwiched, the first wiping cloth 65 can be moved reliably without causing slipping or the like, and the wiping operation can be performed.

Then, when the wiping of the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B of the embedding cassette 1 is completed, the drive gear 115 of the first drawing portion 72 is stopped and the pair of pressing blocks 110 are restored to the original state and the first wiping cloth 65 is removed. The pressing of is released. Then, the first transfer hand 95 again sandwiches the left and right surfaces 1L, 1R of the embedding cassette 1, and moves the embedding cassette 1 to the second wiping point while sliding on the wiping table 33. At this time, the first transfer hand 95 is rotated 90 degrees around the vertical axis, and the embedding cassette 1 is rotated 1/4 on the wiping table 33 so that the front surface 1F faces the slider 62 side.
Thereby, the embedding cassette 1 is arrange | positioned in a 2nd wiping point in the state which the front surface 1F faced the slider 62 side, as shown in FIG.

When the embedding cassette 1 is transferred to the second wiping point, the pair of pressing blocks 111 move to the embedding cassette 1 side as shown in FIGS. The second wiping cloth 66 is pressed against 1R. Subsequently, the drive gear 115 of the second drawing portion 73 is rotationally driven, and the second wiping cloth 66 sandwiched between the drive gear 115 and the driven gear 116 is moved. Thereby, the left and right surfaces 1L and 1R of the embedding cassette 1 can be wiped using the second wiping cloth 66.
Therefore, even if the melted paraffin P remains on the left and right surfaces 1L and 1R, the residue can be wiped off at this point, and the left and right surfaces 1L and 1R can be finished to a clean surface.

Thus, when the wiping of the left and right surfaces 1L, 1R of the embedding cassette 1 is completed, all of the four side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, 1R can be finished to a clean surface. Further, when the wiping of the left and right surfaces 1L and 1R is completed, the drive gear 115 of the second drawing portion 73 is stopped and the pair of pressing blocks 111 are restored to the original state, and the pressing of the second wiping cloth 66 is released. The
Subsequently, instead of the first transfer hand 95, the second transfer hand 96 clamps the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B of the embedding cassette 1, and transfers the embedding cassette 1 to the third wiping point while sliding on the wiping table 33. Let

Then, when the embedding cassette 1 is transferred to the third wiping point, the embedding cassette 1 naturally gets on the third wiping cloth 67 as shown in FIGS. The second transfer hand 96 presses the transferred embedding cassette 1 downward. Thereby, the 3rd wiping cloth 67 will be in the state pressed against bottom face 1C of embedding cassette 1 relatively.
Subsequently, the drive gear 115 of the third drawing portion 74 is rotationally driven, and the third wiping cloth 67 sandwiched between the drive gear 115 and the driven gear 116 is moved. Thereby, the bottom surface 1 </ b> C of the embedding cassette 1 can be wiped using the third wiping cloth 67. Therefore, even if the melted paraffin P remains on the bottom surface 1C, the residue can be wiped off at this point, and the bottom surface 1C can be finished to a clean surface.
In addition, since the embedding cassette 1 is restrained by the cassette restricting plate 90, the embedding cassette 1 is not slid by the third wiping cloth 67.

As described above, in this embodiment, the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B, the left and right surfaces 1L and 1R, and the bottom surface 1C of the embedding cassette 1 are wiped separately in this order, and all these surfaces are clean surfaces. Can be finished.
When the wiping step is completed, the second transfer hand 96 again transfers the embedding cassette 1 to the other end side of the wiping table 33 while sliding on the wiping table 33 and puts it in the entrance of the slider 62. Then, the embedding cassette 1 slides down the slider 62 and is automatically stored in the storage body 36. Thereby, the carrying-out process of carrying out the embedding cassette 1 from the embedding agent removing apparatus 30 and storing it in the storage body 36 is completed.

  The series of operations described above are sequentially performed on the embedding cassettes 1 accommodated in the container 31 so that the plurality of embedding cassettes 1 can be processed one after another, efficiently and in a short time. Can remove paraffin from a large number of embedding cassettes 1. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a high-performance apparatus that is very easy to use, supports automation, and has excellent processing capability.

  In particular, since the paraffin P is wiped after being melted, the unnecessary paraffin P can be removed more reliably, and the subsequent slicing operation of the embedding block B can be performed with high accuracy. It can lead to preparation of the quality thin section M.

Moreover, when the wiping operation is performed, the two hands of the first transfer hand 95 and the second transfer hand 96 are used properly, and the embedding cassette 1 is soiled by these hands 95 and 96, or the paraffin P This prevents it from sticking.
This point will be described in detail.
In the second embodiment, after the paraffin P is melted and removed from the embedding cassette 1 by the heating plate 2, the first heating block 3, and the second heating block 4, the first transfer hand 95 is used as shown in FIG. The left and right surfaces 1L and 1R of the embedding cassette 1 are held and transferred to the discrimination point and the first wiping point, and then the embedding cassette 1 is moved to the second wiping point while changing the orientation of the embedding cassette 1 by 90 degrees.

Moreover, even if the paraffin P remains undissolved on the four side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, and 1R of the embedding cassette 14 (reference symbol P shown in FIG. 21), the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B of the embedding block B are attached at the first wiping point. Since the wiping is performed, the paraffin P can be removed from the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B, and the left and right surfaces 1L and 1R of the embedding block B are wiped at the second wiping point. Therefore, the paraffin P can be removed from the left and right surfaces 1L and 1R. Can be removed.
That is, the left and right surfaces 1L and 1R are wiped after the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B. The first transfer hand 95 transfers the embedding cassette 1 to the second wiping point while sandwiching the left and right surfaces 1L and 1R. Therefore, even if the first transfer hand 95 is dirty, the left and right surfaces 1L and 1R are wiped at the second wiping point, so that the dirt on the first transfer hand 95 does not affect the embedding cassette 1.

  Then, after the wiping of the left and right surfaces 1L, 1R of the embedding cassette 1 is completed, the embedding cassette 1 is transferred by the second transfer hand 96 different from the first transfer hand 95. Since the second transfer hand 96 is a hand that transfers the embedding cassette 1 after all of the four side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, and 1R are wiped off, it can be used as a clean hand. Therefore, after the second wiping point, the embedding cassette 1 can be transferred in a clean state until it is transferred to the slider 62.

  Thus, since the two hands of the first transfer hand 95 and the second transfer hand 96 are properly used, it is difficult for the embedding cassette 1 to become dirty or paraffin P to adhere.

  Furthermore, in the said 2nd Embodiment, although the embedding cassette 1 is transferred so that the 1st transfer hand 95 and the 2nd transfer hand 96 may slide on the wiping stand 33, this wiping stand 33 is in the heated state. . Therefore, even if the melted paraffin P remains on the bottom surface 1 </ b> C of the embedding cassette 1, it is difficult to solidify due to cooling during transfer. Therefore, the transfer of the embedding cassette 1 is not hindered, and it is possible to prevent the paraffin P melted on the wiping table 33 from being fixed.

  In the second embodiment, the supply table 42 is connected endlessly as shown in FIG. 22, and the conveyor 43 is a chain belt conveyor, and, for example, about a plurality of storage trays 44 are circulated. It doesn't matter.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 23, a magazine that can store a plurality of embedding cassettes 1 may be used as the container 120. In this magazine, the storage chambers are divided into multiple stages by the partition plates 121, and the embedding cassette 1 is stored horizontally in each storage chamber. In this case, for example, a robot or the like that allows the embedding cassette 1 to be taken in and out is adopted as the carry-in unit, and the arbitrarily selected embedding cassette 1 is taken out from the magazine and placed on the placement surface 2a. What is necessary is just to comprise.

  Further, instead of the magazine, as shown in FIG. 24, a tray that can store a plurality of embedding cassettes 1 may be used as the container 125. In this tray, storage chambers are partitioned vertically and horizontally by a partition plate 126, and the embedding cassette 1 is stored in each storage chamber. Even in this case, for example, a robot or the like may be employed as the carry-in unit, and the arbitrarily selected embedding cassette 1 may be taken out from the tray and placed on the placement surface 2a.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 25, a disc tray 150 that can be accommodated while arranging a plurality of embedding cassettes 1 in a circular shape may be used as a container.
The disc tray 150 includes a tray main body 151 formed in an annular shape, and a storage tray 152 that is arranged on the upper surface of the tray main body 151 along the outer peripheral edge of the tray main body 151 and stores the embedding cassette 1. Has been.
The tray main body 151 is a plate member that can be rotated around the rotation axis O by a rotation driving unit (not shown), for example. Further, on the upper surface of the tray main body 151, two handles 155 and four connecting columns 156 that are arranged to face each other in the radial direction with the rotation axis O therebetween, and an inner peripheral edge that is the radially inner side of the storage tray 152. It is provided near. The two handles 155 and the four connecting columns 156 are arranged so as not to overlap in the circumferential direction.

  A connection pin 156 a is erected on the upper end surface of the connection column 156. In addition, a recess (not shown) is formed on the lower surface of the tray main body 151 at a portion located directly below each connecting column 156. This recess is a recess of a size in which the connecting pin 156a can be fitted.

As shown in FIGS. 25 and 25, the storage tray 152 is connected to the bottom wall 152a, the left and right walls 152b that are connected to the bottom wall 152a and face each other, and the bottom wall 152a and the left and right walls 152b. And a front wall 152c facing the front surface 1F of the embedding cassette 1. Thus, the embedding cassette 1 can be stored in the storage tray 152 with the front surface 1F facing radially inward.
The bottom wall portion 152a is formed so that the thickness gradually increases from the radially inner side of the tray body 151 toward the radially outer side, and can be stored in a state where the embedding cassette 1 is tilted forward. . Thus, the embedding cassette 1 is prevented from being detached from the storage tray 152 due to the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the tray main body 151.

  When the disc tray 150 configured as described above is adopted as a container, a plurality of embedding cassettes 1 can be efficiently accommodated in a small installation space, so that it is easy to contribute to downsizing of the entire apparatus. Further, since the disc tray 150 can be easily carried using the two handles 155, it is easy to handle and excellent in usability.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 27, it is also possible to stack the disk trays 150 using the connecting pillars 156. That is, they may be combined so that the recesses of the upper disk tray 150 are fitted to the connection pins 156a of the connection pillars 156 of the disk tray 150 located at the lower stage. By doing so, a plurality of disk trays 150 can be stably stacked, and a larger amount of the embedding cassette 1 can be easily put into a standby state before heating.

  Further, in the second embodiment, when the embedding cassette 1 is transferred, the embedding cassette 1 is moved so as to slide on the wiping table 33. However, the embedding cassette 1 may be moved while being lifted. However, it is preferable that the first transfer hand 95 and the second transfer hand 96 can be simplified by moving the wiping table 33 so as to slide.

Further, when wiping the side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, 1R of the embedding cassette 1, the first wiping cloth 65 or the second wiping cloth 66 may be pressed against the corners of the embedding cassette 1. Absent.
For example, when the second wiping cloth 66 is pressed against the left and right surfaces 1L, 1R of the embedding cassette 1, the upper portion of the pressing block 111 is wrapped so as to press against the corner N of the embedding cassette 1, as shown in FIG. It may be overhanged on the buried cassette 1 side. By doing so, even if the paraffin P is fixed to the corner N of the embedding cassette 1, it can be removed.

Further, in the second embodiment, the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B, the left and right surfaces 1L and 1R, and the bottom surface 1C of the embedding cassette 1 are wiped separately, but at least the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B and the bottom surface 1C are simultaneously or The left and right surfaces 1L and 1R and the bottom surface 1C may be wiped off simultaneously.
For example, when wiping the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B and the bottom surface 1C at the same time, as shown in FIG. 29, between the pair of pressing blocks 110 and the embedding cassette 1 and between the wiping table 33 and the embedding cassette 1 In the meantime, the first wiping cloth 65 may be routed. By doing so, the front and rear surfaces 1F, 1B and the bottom surface 1C can be wiped off simultaneously.

  In the case of such a configuration, it is not necessary to wipe the bottom surface 1C of the embedding cassette 1 alone, so that the throughput can be increased and the wiping process can be performed efficiently in a shorter time. In addition, since the third wiping cloth 67 in the second embodiment can be eliminated and only two wiping cloths, the first wiping cloth 65 and the second wiping cloth 66, can be used, the configuration can be simplified.

In the above embodiment, the wiping cloths 65, 66, and 67 are drawn out from the roll portions 65a, 66a, and 67a, and then wound around the winding portion 86. You may comprise so that it can do.
Moreover, when comprised in this way, it is preferable to comprise so that each wiping cloth 65,66,67 may be wash | cleaned on the way and the paraffin P wiped off may be removed from each wiping cloth 65,66,67.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 30, a cleaning tank 130 in which a liquid W such as water is stored is disposed, and the wiping cloths 65, 66, and 67 are routed so as to pass through the cleaning tank 130. . A heater 131 is provided in the cleaning tank 130 and is set so that the liquid W is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the paraffin P (for example, about 100 ° C.). In addition, a separation plate 132 that sinks a certain amount in the liquid W and protrudes from the liquid surface is disposed in the cleaning tank 130 so that the space on the liquid surface is divided into the first space R1 and the second space R2. Set. Then, each wiping cloth 65, 66, 67 is made to enter the liquid W from the first space R1 side, and is hidden under the separation plate 132 so as to be pulled out of the liquid W from the second space R2 side. Constitute.

By doing in this way, when each wiping cloth 65, 66, 67 penetrate | invades into the liquid W from the 1st space R1 side, the liquid W with which the paraffin P wiped by the wiping cloth 65, 66, 67 was heated was heated. And is separated from the wiping cloth 65, 66, 67. Then, since this melted paraffin P has a low specific gravity, it floats without staying in the liquid W and floats on the liquid surface. Therefore, the paraffin P separated from the wiping cloths 65, 66, 67 does not reattach to the wiping cloths 65, 66, 67.
Further, the paraffin P floating on the liquid surface gradually starts to accumulate on the first space R1 side, but does not enter the second space R2 side partitioned by the separation plate 132. Therefore, the liquid level on the second space R2 side is a beautiful liquid level where the paraffin P is not floating.
Therefore, paraffin P does not adhere when each wiping cloth 65, 66, 67 goes under the separation plate 132 and comes out of the liquid W from the second space R 2 side.

  Accordingly, the wiping cloths 65, 66, and 67 can be flowed downstream in a state where the paraffin P is removed cleanly, and the wiping cloths 65, 66, and 67 can be reused.

Moreover, in the said 2nd Embodiment, although the tray was employ | adopted as the storage body 36, as shown in FIG. 31, the magazine which can accommodate several embedding cassette 1 separately is good also as the storage body 140. FIG.
In this case, the embedding cassette 1 may be accommodated by the second transfer hand 96, or another robot or the like may be provided as an unloading unit, and the embedding cassette 1 may be accommodated by the unloading unit. . In particular, when the magazine is used as the storage body 140, the handling of the plurality of embedding cassettes 1 is facilitated, so that the subsequent slicing operation and the like can be performed smoothly. Moreover, dust etc. are hard to adhere to the embedding cassette 1 which became beautiful.

In the second embodiment, the embedding cassette 1 that has been heated on the heating plate 2 using the first transfer hand 95 and the second transfer hand 96 is identified as the discrimination point, the first wiping point, and the second In addition to the transfer to the wiping point and the third wiping point in this order, the transfer to the other end side of the wiping table 33 is performed in order to enter the entrance of the slider 62. Moreover, this transfer is performed for a plurality of embedding cassettes 1. Therefore, when the embedding cassette 1 is sandwiched between the transfer hands 95 and 96, it is assumed that a slight residue of paraffin P easily adheres and accumulates.
In this case, when the embedding cassette 1 is sandwiched, the two transfer hands 95 and 96 and the embedding cassette 1 are easily adhered by the paraffin P, and the embedding cassette 1 cannot be detached in a correct posture at a predetermined position. There is a possibility that problems such as these may occur.

Therefore, it is preferable to take measures to eliminate such problems.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, flange portions 160 for heating the upper surface 1U of the embedding cassette 1 may be attached to the first heating block 3 and the second heating block 4, respectively.
As described above, when the embedding block B is produced, unnecessary paraffin P is mainly fixed to the four side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, 1R and the bottom surface 1C of the embedding cassette 1 in addition to embedding. In some cases, the paraffin P also adheres to the upper surface 1U, also referred to as a shelf of the cassette 1. Therefore, if the paraffin P fixed to the upper surface 1U is left as it is, the above-mentioned problem is likely to occur.

  By attaching the flange portion 160 to each of the first heating block 3 and the second heating block 4, when the embedding cassette 1 is sandwiched between the both heating blocks 3 and 4, the flange portion 160 becomes the upper surface 1U of the embedding cassette 1. Since the upper surface 1U is efficiently heated, the paraffin P can be dissolved from the upper surface 1U. Therefore, it is possible to make the above-mentioned problem difficult to occur.

As another countermeasure, the first transfer hand 95 and the second transfer hand 96 may be provided with an elastic member that presses the embedding cassette 1 with an elastic force in a direction in which the embedding cassette 1 is detached from both the transfer hands 95 and 96. .
For example, the second transfer hand 96 will be described with reference to FIGS. 34 and 35.
In this case, the second transfer hand 96 is disposed facing each other so as to be close to and away from each other, and a slit 170 is formed in a pair of claw portions 96a (chuck portions) that sandwich the embedding cassette 1. The slit 170 is formed in the central portion of the tip portion of the claw portion 96a. A protrusion 171 that holds a rubber ring 172, which will be described later, protrudes outward from the base of the claw portion 96a.

  Therefore, the elastic member is, for example, an endless rubber ring 172 and is spanned between the pair of claw portions 96a via the slit 170, and both end portions thereof are hooked and engaged with the protruding portion 171. ing. At this time, the rubber ring 172 is stretched between the claw portions 96a in a substantially horizontal state.

With this configuration, when the front and rear surfaces 1F and 1B of the embedding cassette 1 are sandwiched using a pair of claws 96a as shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the embedding cassette 1 and the embedding block B As a result, the rubber ring 172 is pushed up while extending. Therefore, the elastic restoring force of the rubber ring 172 is acting on the sandwiched embedding cassette 1. That is, a force (arrow shown in FIG. 37) that can be pushed downward is acting.
Therefore, when the second transfer hand 96 transfers the embedding cassette 1 to a predetermined position and releases the above clamping, the embedding cassette 1 is forced to be pushed downward by the rubber ring 172 at the same time. Therefore, even if the adhesive force due to the paraffin P is generated between the second transfer hand 96 and the embedding cassette 1, the embedding cassette 1 can be detached without being affected by this, and as a result, It is possible to make it difficult to cause defects.

Although the second transfer hand 96 has been described as an example, the same configuration can be adopted for the first transfer hand 95 to achieve the same effect.
The rubber ring 172 is preferably an O-ring made of, for example, silicon rubber. In particular, since silicon rubber is excellent in releasability, it is difficult for the embedding cassette 1 and the embedding block B, and only the pressing force is easily applied.
The elastic member is not limited to the rubber ring 172. For example, a coil spring, a leaf spring, or the like is incorporated in the transfer hands 95 and 96, and the embedding cassette 1 is pushed downward by using these elastic restoring forces. You may comprise as follows.

As another countermeasure, when the embedding cassette 1 is transferred to each point by the first transfer hand 95 and the second transfer hand 96, the transfer hands 95 and 96 may be heated at each point.
For example, as shown in FIG. 38, when the embedding cassette 1 is transferred to the discrimination point where the pair of sensors 91 are arranged using the first transfer hand 95, a heater is provided from the lower side of the wiping table 33 (not shown). The block 180 is raised, and the first transfer hand 95 is heated by the heater block 180.

By configuring in this way, the first transfer hand 95 itself can be heated, so that the paraffin P can be hardly attached to the first transfer hand 95, and the above-described problems can be hardly caused.
The heater block 180 may be provided at a point other than the determination point (first wiping point or the like), or may be provided at a standby position of the first transfer hand 95 and the second transfer hand 96.

  As another countermeasure, a method of incorporating a heating mechanism in the first transfer hand 95 and the second transfer hand 96 and heating the first transfer hand 95 and the second transfer hand 96 at all times or in a timely manner can be considered.

  Moreover, in the said 2nd Embodiment, the front-back direction of the embedding cassette 1 is discriminate | determined by a discrimination | determination point, and when it is not right direction, the embedding cassette 1 is reversed by the 1st transfer hand 95, and the front-back direction is replaced. However, the front-rear direction of the embedding cassette 1 may be determined at the time when it is carried by the conveyor 43.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 39, a notch portion 42c is formed in the guide wall portion 42a of the supply base 42 so as to face the carry-out port 42b with the conveyor 43 interposed therebetween. A support piece 190 is attached to the supply base 42 in a state adjacent to the notch 42 c, and a sensor (accommodating time determination unit) 191 is fixed on the support piece 190. The sensor 191 is, for example, a reflection type fiber sensor, and irradiates the detection light L1 through the notch 42c toward the embedding cassette 1 that has been carried to the carry-out port 42b by the conveyor 43. The reflected light L2 reflected by the embedding cassette 1 is received, and the front-rear direction of the embedding cassette 1 can be determined based on the amount of the reflected light L2.

  In this case, when the front surface 1F of the embedding cassette 1 is directed toward the sensor 191 at the time when the front surface 1F is transported to the carry-out port 42b, a part of the front surface 1F is an inclined surface, so that the reflection is performed. The amount of light L2 is small. On the other hand, when the rear surface 1B of the embedding cassette 1 faces the sensor 191 side, the amount of the reflected light L2 is large. Therefore, the sensor 191 can accurately determine the front-rear direction of the embedding cassette 1 based on the light amount of the reflected light L2.

When it is determined that the front surface 1F faces the sensor 191 side, the hand unit 53 of the first carry-in unit 50 transports the embedding cassette 1 to the carry-in plate 41 and performs the subsequent processes. On the other hand, when it is determined that the rear surface 1B is directed to the sensor 191 side, the hand unit 53 of the first carry-in unit 50 does not carry the embedding cassette 1, and the conveyor 43 is driven and this packaging is performed. A process of flowing the buried cassette 1 downstream is performed.
By doing so, it is possible to eliminate a useless operation of reversing the front-rear direction of the embedding cassette 1 later, and it is possible to effectively increase the work efficiency of the entire apparatus.

  Unlike the above case, when it is determined that the rear surface 1B faces the sensor 191 side, the hand portion 53 of the first carry-in portion 50 turns the carry-in plate 41 while reversing the direction of the embedding cassette 1. You may make it carry in. Even in this case, it is possible to eliminate a useless operation of inverting the front-back direction of the embedding cassette 1 later.

  In the second embodiment, the remaining paraffin P remaining in the embedding cassette 1 is wiped using the three wiping cloths 65, 66, 67. However, the wiped paraffin P is wiped off by the wiping cloths 65, 66, 67. It is assumed that it has a viscosity due to permeation into the water. Therefore, these wiping cloths 65, 66, and 67 pass smoothly through the driving gear 115 and the driven gear 116 and are not wound around the winding portion 86, but are stuck to the driving gear 115 or the driven gear 116, and are caught. May occur.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 40, for example, the contact width W1 of the drive gear 115 may be smaller than the contact width W2 of the driven gear 116. By doing so, the contact area with the wiping cloths 65, 66, and 67 can be reduced and the contact ratio between the two gears 115 and 116 can be changed.
The contact width W2 of the driven gear 116 may be smaller than the contact width W1 of the drive gear 115.

  As shown in FIG. 41, the shapes of both gears 115 and 116 may be elliptical. Even in this case, the same effect can be obtained.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is added in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. Is possible.

For example, in each of the above embodiments, the embedding cassette 1 is sandwiched and surrounded by the two heating blocks of the first heating block 3 and the second heating block 4 that are formed in an L shape in plan view. The shape and number are not limited to this case.
For example, the embedding cassette 1 may be surrounded by two heating blocks, a U-shaped heating block in plan view and a heating block having a rectangular shape in plan view.
Further, the embedding cassette 1 may be surrounded by four heating blocks having a rectangular shape in plan view. In this case, all four heating blocks may be configured to be movable, thereby enclosing the embedding cassette 1.

In each of the above embodiments, the embedding cassette 1 is sandwiched between the first heating block 3 and the second heating block 4 to heat the four side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, and 1R. In this case, The configuration is not limited, and the embedding cassette 1 may be sandwiched by a plurality of heating blocks, and at least two side surfaces may be heated.
Even in this case, the bottom face 1C of the embedding cassette 1 and at least two side faces can be heated at the same time so that the fixed paraffin P can be melted, so that the same effects can be obtained. However, it is preferable to heat the four side surfaces 1F, 1B, 1L, and 1R by sandwiching the embedding cassette 1 so as to surround it as in the above embodiments.

  In any case, it is only necessary that at least one of the plurality of heating blocks is movable, and the embedding cassette 1 is sandwiched in cooperation with the remaining heating blocks by the movement.

B ... Embedding block P ... Paraffin (embedding agent)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Embedding cassette 1C ... Bottom of embedding cassette 1F, 1B, 1L, 1R ... Side surface of embedding cassette 2 ... Heating plate 2a ... Mounting surface of heating plate 3 ... First heating block (heating block)
4 ... Second heating block (heating block)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Movable part 6 ... Collection container 10, 30 ... Embedding agent removal apparatus 11 ... Temperature control part (container heating means)
12 ... Recovery unit 20 ... Discharge unit 23 ... Trap panel (cover)
31, 120, 125 ... container 32 ... carrying-in part 33 ... wiping table 34 ... transfer part 35 ... wiping part 36, 140 ... storage body 37 ... carrying-out part 65 ... first wiping cloth (wiping cloth)
66 ... 2nd wiping cloth (wiping cloth)
67 ... Third wiping cloth (wiping cloth)
72 ... 1st extraction part (moving part)
73 ... 2nd drawer part (moving part)
74 ... Third drawer (moving part)
91 ... Sensor (discriminating part)
95 ... 1st transfer hand (transfer hand)
96 ... 2nd transfer hand (transfer hand, pressing part)
110, 111 ... Pressing block (pressing part)
115 ... Drive gear (rotating body)
116 ... driven gear (rotating body)
150: Disc tray (container)
160 ... Flange 172 ... Rubber ring (elastic member)
191 ... Sensor (accommodating time discriminating part)

Claims (23)

An embedding agent removing device that removes a fixed embedding agent from an embedding cassette to which an embedding block is fixed,
A heating plate having a mounting surface on which the embedding cassette is mounted, and heating a bottom surface of the embedding cassette mounted on the mounting surface;
A plurality of heating blocks arranged on the heating plate and sandwiching the placed embedding cassette to heat at least two side surfaces of the embedding cassette,
At least one of the plurality of heating blocks is movable in the in-plane direction of the placement surface, and the embedding cassette is sandwiched in cooperation with the remaining heating blocks by the movement. Embedding agent removal device. The embedding agent removing apparatus according to claim 1,
An embedding agent removing apparatus characterized in that the heating block sandwiches the embedding cassette while surrounding it and heats four side surfaces of the embedding cassette. In the embedding agent removing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A movable part for moving the heating block;
The embedding agent removing apparatus, wherein the movable portion continues to move the heating block until a predetermined amount of movement is reached. In the embedding agent removing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The embedding agent removing apparatus, wherein the heating block is reciprocated along the side surface while being in contact with the side surface of the embedding cassette after sandwiching the embedding cassette. In the embedding agent removing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An embedding agent removing device, wherein a flange portion for heating the upper surface of the embedding cassette is attached to the heating block when the embedding cassette is sandwiched. In the embedding agent removing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A recovery container is provided below the heating plate and collects the melted embedding agent,
The heating plate is formed with a recovery portion that opens on the mounting surface and penetrates in the thickness direction and guides the melted embedding agent to the recovery container. apparatus. The embedding agent removing apparatus according to claim 6,
An embedding agent removing apparatus comprising container heating means for heating the recovery container to a temperature higher than the melting point of the embedding agent. In the embedding agent removing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An embedding agent removing apparatus, wherein a discharge portion for allowing the melted embedding agent to flow toward the heating plate is formed on a contact surface of the heating block in contact with the embedding cassette. In the embedding agent removing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A detachable cover body that is disposed above the heating plate and covers the top of the embedded cassette mounted thereon,
The embedding agent removing apparatus, wherein the cover body is set at a temperature lower than the melting point of the embedding agent. In the embedding agent removing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A transfer section for transferring the embedded cassette placed thereon onto a wiping table;
On the wiping table, comprising a wiping unit for wiping the bottom and side surfaces of the embedding cassette simultaneously or separately with a wiping cloth,
The wiping unit wipes the wiping cloth in a heated state. The embedding agent removing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
Comprising a discriminating unit for discriminating the front-rear direction of the embedding cassette transferred onto the wiping table;
The embedding agent removing apparatus characterized in that the transfer unit changes the front-rear direction of the embedding cassette based on the determination result by the determination unit and arranges the direction in a certain direction. In the embedding agent removing apparatus according to claim 10 or 11,
The transfer unit is
A transfer hand for holding the embedding cassette;
An embedding agent removing apparatus comprising: an elastic member that presses the sandwiched embedding cassette with an elastic force in a direction in which the embedding cassette is detached from the transfer hand. The embedding agent removing apparatus according to claim 12,
The wiping cloth is formed in a strip shape extending in one direction,
The wiping part is
A pressing portion that presses a part of the wiping cloth against the bottom and side surfaces of the embedding cassette;
An embedding agent removing device comprising: a moving unit that moves the pressed wiping cloth along the one direction. The embedding agent removing apparatus according to claim 13,
The moving unit includes two rotating bodies that sandwich the wiping cloth between the outer peripheral surfaces of each other,
The embedding agent removing apparatus, wherein a contact width between one of the rotating bodies and the wiping cloth is smaller than a contact width between the other rotating body and the wiping cloth. The embedding agent removing apparatus according to claim 13,
The moving unit includes two rotating bodies that sandwich the wiping cloth between the outer peripheral surfaces of each other,
The embedding agent removing apparatus, wherein an outer peripheral surface of at least one of the rotating bodies has an uneven shape. In the embedding agent removing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
A container for housing a plurality of the embedding cassettes;
A loading section for placing one arbitrarily selected from the plurality of embedding cassettes accommodated in the container on the placement surface;
An embedding agent removing apparatus comprising: an unloading unit that unloads the embedding cassette and stores the embedding cassette in a storage body. The embedding agent removing apparatus according to claim 16,
An accommodation time discriminating unit for discriminating the front-back direction of the embedding cassette housed in the housing body;
The carry-in unit changes the front-rear direction of the embedding cassette based on the determination result by the housing-time determination unit, and places it on the mounting surface in a state in which the direction is arranged in a certain direction. An embedding agent removing device. An embedding agent removing method for removing a fixed embedding agent from an embedding cassette to which an embedding block is fixed,
After the embedding cassette is mounted on the mounting surface of the heating plate, at least one of the plurality of heating blocks is moved in the in-plane direction of the mounting surface, and this movement cooperates with the remaining heating blocks. A clamping process to work and sandwich the embedding cassette;
An embedding agent comprising: heating a bottom surface of the embedding cassette by the heating plate; and heating at least two side surfaces of the embedding cassette by the plurality of embedding blocks. Removal method. The embedding agent removal method according to claim 18,
During the narrowing step, sandwich the embedding cassette with a plurality of the heating blocks,
In the heating step, the four side surfaces of the embedding cassette are heated. In the embedding agent removal method according to claim 18 or 19,
The embedding agent removing method characterized by continuing to move the heating block until a predetermined amount of movement is reached in the pinching step. In the embedding agent removal method according to any one of claims 18 to 20,
In the heating step, the heating block is reciprocated along the side surface while being in contact with the side surface of the embedding cassette. In the embedding agent removal method according to any one of claims 18 to 21,
After the heating step, the embedding cassette is transferred onto a wiping table, and includes a wiping step of wiping the bottom and side surfaces of the embedding cassette simultaneously or separately on the wiping table with a wiping cloth,
An embedding agent removing method, wherein the wiping cloth is wiped in a heated state during the wiping step. The embedding agent removal method according to any one of claims 18 to 22,
A loading step of placing one arbitrarily selected from the plurality of embedding cassettes housed in the container on the placement surface;
An embedding agent removing method comprising: carrying out the embedding cassette and carrying it out in a storage body.

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