JP2012235736A - Pouring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pouring device capable of homogeneously mixing a plurality of materials to be mixed, stored in a container, and hardly allowing the materials in the container to be scattered to the outside of the container even when the moving direction of the container is changed rapidly.SOLUTION: The pouring device includes a table 282, a first simple oscillation-generating mechanism 260 for generating a simple oscillation (in X direction), and a second simple oscillation-generating mechanism 270 for generating a simple oscillation (in Y direction). The table 282 is attached to a member 261 carrying out a motion (Lissajous motion) obtained by synthesizing the simple oscillation generated by the first simple oscillation-generating mechanism 260 and the simple oscillation generated by the second simple oscillation-generating mechanism 270.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for mixing a plurality of materials to be mixed (for example, a test object and a culture medium of a microorganism testing apparatus) by automatic operation.

Various techniques for mixing a plurality of materials to be mixed (for example, a test object of a microorganism testing apparatus and a culture medium) have been conventionally proposed.
However, many of the techniques for mixing by autopilot simply give a single vibration to a container (for example, a petri dish) containing a plurality of materials to be mixed. And only by giving a simple vibration, the several material which should be mixed in the said container is not mixed uniformly.
In addition, when the movement direction of the container containing a plurality of materials to be mixed suddenly changes, the material to be mixed in the container may be scattered outside the container.

As another conventional technique, a pour apparatus used in a microorganism culture facility and pours a medium is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
However, the related art does not solve the above-described problems related to uniform mixing and scattering of materials to be mixed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-153961

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and can uniformly mix a plurality of materials to be mixed accommodated in a container, and the direction of movement of the container is abrupt. An object of the present invention is to provide a mixing apparatus in which the material in the container does not scatter outside the container even if it is converted.

The pour device (200, 200A) of the present invention includes a table (282) on which a container containing materials to be mixed (for example, a test object and a culture medium of a microbe test device) is placed, and two directions orthogonal to each other on a plane. A first simple vibration generating mechanism (260) that generates a single vibration in any one direction (for example, the X direction) in the (X direction, Y direction), and the other direction (for example, the Y direction) in the two directions. A second simple vibration generating mechanism (270) that generates a single vibration is provided, and the table (282) includes a single vibration (for example, a single vibration in the X direction) by the first single vibration generating mechanism (260) and a second vibration. It is characterized by being attached to a member (plate 261 shown in FIG. 6) that performs a motion (Lissajous motion) obtained by synthesizing a single vibration (for example, a single vibration in the Y direction) by the single vibration generation mechanism (270).
Here, the moving speed of simple vibration in any one direction (for example, the X direction) in two directions (X direction and Y direction) orthogonal to each other on a plane is preferably 50 mm / second to 350 mm / second, more preferably 100 mm / second to 250 mm / second. Moreover, the moving speed of simple vibration in the other direction (for example, Y direction) of the two directions is preferably 50 mm / second to 350 mm / second, and more preferably 50 mm / second to 200 mm / second. The moving speeds in the two directions are preferably different from each other, and the difference between the moving speeds is more preferably 50 mm / second or more.
In addition, the viscosity of the material to be mixed is not particularly limited. However, when the material to be mixed having a viscosity of 0 mPa · s to 2000 mPa · s is mixed by performing the Lissajous motion at the moving speed described above. The material to be done can be mixed evenly in particular. Therefore, the viscosity of the material to be mixed is preferably 0 mPa · s to 2000 mPa · s, and more preferably 1000 mPa · s to 1700 mPa · s. This viscosity is measured with a B-type viscometer (rotary viscometer), and the measurement temperature is 10 ° C. The rotational speed of the rotor (cylindrical measuring device in the rotary viscometer) and the rotor No. Measurement conditions such as (the number of a cylindrical measuring device in a rotary viscometer) may be appropriately determined according to the viscosity of the material to be mixed.
When measuring the viscosity with a rheometer, if the measurement temperature is 5 ° C., the load applied to the plunger (disc-shaped measuring device) in the rheometer is preferably 50 g to 200 g, and the load is 80 g to 160 g. More preferably.

The pour device (200, 200A) of the present invention sucks an inspection object from a container (inspection product container or test tube) in which the inspection object is stored and injects (dispenses) it into an inspection container (for example, a petri dish). A test object suction device (dispensing machine 2), a culture medium injecting apparatus (medium unit 5) for injecting a culture medium into the test container into which the test object is injected, and a table (282) on which the test container is placed. In addition, the table (282) is moved to mix (pour) the test object and the medium in the test container, and the test apparatus and the test container into which the medium has been injected are mixed into the pour apparatus ( 200) and is preferably used in a microorganism testing apparatus having a transport apparatus (a petri dish transport section 4).
The microorganism testing apparatus includes a storage container (a nozzle rack 62 of used nozzles) that stores the nozzles for inspection mounted on the inspection target suction device (2) after injecting the inspection target into the inspection container. Is possible. However, the microorganism testing apparatus can automatically test microorganisms even if the storage device (62) is not provided.

According to the pour apparatus (200, 200A) of the present invention having the above-described configuration, a single vibration in any one direction (for example, the X direction) in two directions (X direction, Y direction) orthogonal to each other on the plane is obtained. A first simple vibration generating mechanism (260) for generating, and a second single vibration generating mechanism (270) for generating a single vibration in the other of the two directions (for example, the Y direction). The table (282) on which the first vibration is placed is divided into a single vibration (for example, a single vibration in the X direction) by the first simple vibration generation mechanism (260) and a single vibration (for example, Y by the second vibration generation mechanism (270)). If it is attached to a member (plate 261 shown in FIG. 6) that performs a motion (Lissajous motion) that combines the simple vibrations in the direction, the Lissajous motion is also performed on the inspection container (petriet) placed on the pour device. be able to. With this configuration, the magnitude of the vibration in the X direction and the magnitude of the vibration in the Y direction can be freely changed, and adjustment can be made to perform an optimal Lissajous motion.
Unlike the eccentric motion, the Lissajous motion moves in various directions. The speed is high near the origin of the Lissajous figure, and the speed decreases as the distance from the origin is increased.
When the petri dish placed on the apparatus performs a Lissajous motion, the petri dish moves in various directions, so that the materials to be mixed in the petri dish are uniformly mixed.

Here, if the direction of movement of the petri dish is rapidly changed, the liquid in the petri dish may be scattered outside the petri dish. However, in the Lissajous motion, the direction of motion changes in the region away from the origin, and the speed of motion decreases in the region away from the origin. Therefore, when the direction is changed, the material to be mixed in the petri dish is not scattered.
That is, when the petri dish placed on the pour device performs a Lissajous movement, uniform mixing is possible without scattering the material to be mixed in the petri dish outside the petri dish.
The moving speed of simple vibration in any one direction (for example, X direction) in two directions (X direction and Y direction) orthogonal to each other on the plane is preferably 50 mm / second to 350 mm / second, and more preferably 100 mm / second. ~ 250 mm / sec. Moreover, the moving speed of simple vibration in the other direction (for example, Y direction) of the two directions is preferably 50 mm / second to 350 mm / second, and more preferably 50 mm / second to 200 mm / second. The moving speeds in the two directions are preferably different from each other, and the difference between the moving speeds is more preferably 50 mm / second or more.
In addition, the viscosity of the material to be mixed is not particularly limited. However, when the material to be mixed having a viscosity of 0 mPa · s to 2000 mPa · s is mixed by performing the Lissajous motion at the moving speed described above. The material to be done can be mixed evenly in particular. Therefore, the viscosity of the material to be mixed is preferably 0 mPa · s to 2000 mPa · s, and more preferably 1000 mPa · s to 1700 mPa · s. This viscosity is measured with a B-type viscometer (rotary viscometer), and the measurement temperature is 10 ° C. The rotational speed of the rotor and the rotor No. Such measurement conditions may be appropriately determined in accordance with the viscosity of the material to be mixed.
When the viscosity is measured with a rheometer, if the measurement temperature is 5 ° C., the load applied to the plunger in the rheometer is preferably 50 g to 200 g, and more preferably 80 g to 160 g.

Commercially available foods and drinks, such as beverages, have products of a type that include live bacteria that are beneficial to the human body, such as lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacteria, and in production facilities for such products, microorganisms that contaminate the products, for example, It is inspected for the presence of E. coli and yeast (contaminated microorganisms).
When inspecting for the presence of contaminating microorganisms, the subject to be inspected (for example, commercially available food and drink) does not contribute to the culture of viable bacteria beneficial to the human body, but is the subject of detection. Mixed with a medium having a composition suitable for culturing of the contaminated microorganisms. Then, it is determined whether or not a colony of contaminating microorganisms has been formed within a predetermined stationary period. If such a colony is not formed, the test object is not contaminated with contaminating microorganisms.
Conventionally, such testing has been performed manually, but the work of inhaling the specimen (test object), the work of dispensing the test object into the petri dish, and the work of dispensing the medium into the petri dish into which the test object has been dispensed The work of mixing the test object and the medium requires high skill and concentration. It is not easy to train workers with such high skills and concentration (the applicant's experience requires a training period of at least 3 months). In addition, a large amount of labor and cost are required for inspections performed by workers having such high skill and concentration.
Therefore, the technology that automatically processes the work of inhaling the test object, the work of dispensing the test object into the petri dish, the work of dispensing the medium into the petri dish into which the test object has been dispensed, and the work of mixing the test object and the medium are required. Has been.

The pour device (200, 200A) of the present invention is aspirated (injected) into a test container (for example, a petri dish) by sucking the test target from a container (test target product container or test tube) in which the test target is stored. A test object suction device (dispensing machine 2), a culture medium injecting apparatus (medium unit 5) for injecting a culture medium into the test container into which the test object is injected, and a table (282) on which the test container is placed. In addition, the table (282) is moved to mix (pour) the test object and the medium in the test container, and the test apparatus and the test container into which the medium has been injected are mixed into the pour apparatus ( 200), when used in a microorganism testing apparatus having a transport apparatus (petri dish transport section 4), various operations required for microbiological testing, for example, suction of an inspection target, dispensing work, medium dispensing work, Pour test object and medium It is possible to automate the work or the like.
Therefore, it is possible to easily determine the presence or absence of microorganisms in the test object without securing a worker who has performed long-term training.
In addition, since multiple types of media can be dispensed for each detection target, select a suitable medium for the contaminating microorganism (eg, E. coli or yeast) to be detected, and viable bacteria beneficial to the human body Only the contaminating microorganisms to be detected can form colonies without forming them.

  Further, the pour device (200, 200A) of the present invention is sucked from a container (inspected product container or test tube) in which the inspection object is stored and injected into the inspection container (for example, petri dish). Note) Inspection target suction device (dispensing machine 2), medium injection device (medium unit 5) for injecting culture medium into the inspection container into which the inspection target is injected, and table (282) for placing the inspection container A pour device (200) for mixing (pouring) the test object and the medium in the test container by moving the table (282), and the test container into which the test object and the medium are injected If it is used in a microorganism testing apparatus having a transport apparatus (the petri dish transport section 4) transported to the apparatus (200), the test object is sucked by the test target suction apparatus (dispensing machine 2) and injected into the test container (petri dish). , Suck the test object Since it has a storage device (nozzle rack 62 for used nozzles) that stores nozzles for inspection, a nozzle before suction (sterilized nozzle before use) and a nozzle after suction (use) The latter nozzle) can be separated and stored. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inspection object already sucked from being mixed into the nozzle before the inspection object is sucked (so-called “contamination”, “contamination”).

It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a Lissajous exercise. It is explanatory drawing explaining the principle of embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the pour apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is front sectional drawing of the pour apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view which shows the 1st plate used with the pour apparatus shown in FIG. 3, FIG. It is a top view which shows the 2nd plate used with the pour apparatus shown in FIG. 3, FIG. It is a top view which shows the 3rd plate used with the pour apparatus shown in FIG. 3, FIG. It is a partial section side view showing the pour device concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a fragmentary sectional front view which shows the pour apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view which shows an example of the microbe test | inspection apparatus with which embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a front view of the microbe inspection apparatus shown in FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The pour device 200 according to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 7 scatters the culture medium and the test object in the petri dish without using a stir bar or the like by performing a Lissajous movement of the petri dish to be poured. Without mixing, the culture medium and the test object can be mixed uniformly.

Here, the Lissajous motion is a motion that moves on the trajectory of a point obtained by ordering two simple vibrations orthogonal to each other, and a simple pendulum in the X direction and the Y direction when a single XY plane is assumed. It is a movement that moves on a figure with a simple pendulum superimposed.
More specifically, a Lissajous figure, which is one of the curves described by the parameter equation, is expressed as a general expression as follows:
x (t) = Acos (ω _x t−δ _x )
y (t) = Bsin (ω _y t−δ _y )
Or
x (t) = Csin (ωt + δ)
y (t) = Dsin (t)
“Ω _x ”, “ω _y ”, and “ω” are angular velocities, “t” is time (for example, seconds), and “δ _x ”, “δ _y ”, and “δ” are constants.
Such an expression is in the form of a simple vibration formula in the X direction and the Y direction, and therefore the Lissajous figure corresponds to the superposition of the simple pendulum in the X direction and the simple pendulum in the Y direction. The Lissajous motion is a motion that moves on such a Lissajous figure, and is a motion that combines a simple vibration in the X direction and a simple vibration in the Y direction.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a Lissajous figure obtained by the Lissajous movement.

The pour device 200 according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 is used for mixing a test object and a culture medium in a microbe test apparatus as described later with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, for example. .
In the microorganism testing apparatus described later with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the test target is, for example, a commercially available beverage (such as a beverage containing lactic acid bacteria), and the viscosity is often higher than the culture medium. In a conventional pour apparatus that performs mixing by a simple eccentric motion, the test object and the culture medium often do not mix uniformly. Since the test object and the culture medium are different in color, the color of the mixture will not be uniform unless it is mixed uniformly. In this case, the dark portion may be mistaken for a colony.
In addition, if the test object and the culture medium are not uniformly mixed, suppose that there are microorganisms (microorganisms that contaminate the product, such as E. coli and yeast) that are not presumed to be present in the beverage. Even if they exist, colonies may not be detected without being cultured in the petri dish.

On the other hand, the material to be mixed (for example, the test target and medium as described above) is injected into a container (for example, a petri dish), and the specimen in the petri dish is mixed with the pour apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment. If the culture medium is mixed, the movement trajectory of the petri dish placed on the pour apparatus 200 (the movement trajectory of the center point of the petri dish) becomes a Lissajous figure.
In other words, in the pour device 200 according to the first embodiment, the petri dish placed on the device performs a Lissajous exercise.
Here, unlike the eccentric motion, the Lissajous motion moves in various directions as shown in FIG. The speed is high near the origin of the Lissajous figure, and the speed decreases as the distance from the origin is increased.

When the petri dish placed on the pour apparatus 200 performs a Lissajous movement, the petri dish moves in various directions, so that the test object and the medium in the petri dish are uniformly mixed.
Here, if the direction of movement of the petri dish is rapidly changed, the liquid in the petri dish may be scattered outside the petri dish. However, in Lissajous motion, the direction of motion changes in the region away from the origin, and the closer to the origin, the faster the motion speed, so the motion speed in the region away from the origin (region where the motion direction changes abruptly) is , Decrease and slow down. Therefore, when the direction of movement of the petri dish is changed, the moving speed of the petri dish is slow, and the test object and the medium in the petri dish are not scattered.
That is, the petri dish placed on the pour apparatus 200 performs a Lissajous motion, so that the liquid (inspection target or culture medium) in the petri dish is uniformly mixed without being scattered outside the petri dish.

In the case where the pour device 200 according to the first embodiment is used in a microorganism testing device as will be described later with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the petri dish is automatically conveyed. A process of moving the petri dish from the petri dish transport unit of the microorganism testing apparatus to the pour unit 200, with the position of the petri dish at the start of the pour and the position of the petri dish at the end of the pour, from the pour unit 200 There is a demand for facilitating the process (so-called “replacement”) of moving the petri dish to the petri dish transport unit of the microbe inspection apparatus.
When the petri dish is being mixed, the trajectory drawn by the petri dish is configured as a Lissajous figure, and the position of the start of the pour and the position at the end of the pour are indicated. Since the origin is consistent with the origin, the origin that the Lissajous movement (petriet) always passes in a predetermined cycle matches the position of the start of the pour and the position of the end of the pour. To do. Accordingly, the position of the petri dish at the start of the pour in the pour device 200 is the same as the position of the petri dish at the end of the pour.
Thus, the process of moving the petri dish from the petri dish transport unit of the microbiological testing apparatus according to FIGS. 10 and 11 to the pour device 200, and the petri dish 200 to the petri dish transport unit of the microbiological test apparatus according to FIGS. The process of moving the petri dish (so-called “replacement”) is easily and reliably performed.

In the pour device 200 according to the first embodiment, if the container placed on the pour device 200 is limited to a petri dish, the outline of the Lissajous curve is preferably close to a square.
However, if a non-circular container (a container other than a petri dish) is placed on the pour device 200 and a plurality of types of substances (in the container) are mixed, the outline of the Lissajous curve may be rectangular. .

The structure of the pour device 200 according to the first embodiment will be described below.
First, the operating principle of the pour device 200 will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 2, a pulley Pa (corresponding to the pulley 203 in FIG. 3) is a rotating mechanism for performing a single vibration motion in the X-axis direction, and a pulley Pb (corresponding to the pulley 204 in FIG. 3) is in the Y-axis direction. It is a rotation mechanism for performing a simple vibration motion.
A pin X (corresponding to the cam follower 267 in FIG. 3) protrudes from the pulley Pa, and the pin X is a member for causing a guide plate 261 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later, to perform a single vibration operation in the X direction. . A pin Y (corresponding to the cam follower 277 in FIG. 4) protrudes from the pulley Pb, and the pin Y is a member for operating a guide plate 271 (see FIG. 4) described later in a single vibration operation in the Y direction. .
The number of teeth Tx of the pulley Pa (toothed pulley) is smaller than the number of teeth Ty of the pulley Pb (toothed pulley). As a result, the rotation speed of the pin X is faster than the rotation speed of the pin Y.

In FIG. 2, tension pulleys (idler pulleys) Pt are provided in addition to the pulleys Pa and Pb, and a belt B (for example, a belt having teeth formed on the inner peripheral surface) is wound around all the pulleys. ing.
Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 2, any one of the pulleys Pa (Pb, Pt) (drive pulley) has an electric motor (drive source) disposed below it, and the other two via the belt. The pulley (driven pulley) is driven to rotate.
3 and 4, the pulley shaft of the pulley 203 corresponding to the pulley Pa is rotationally driven by the electric motor 201. That is, the pulley 203 is a drive pulley and the pulley 204 is a driven pulley.

In FIG. 2, the distance from the center of the pulley Pa to the center of the pin X is indicated by a symbol Rx, and the distance from the center of the pulley Pb to the center of the pin Y is indicated by a symbol Ry.
Considering the case where the pulley Pa rotates by a rotation angle r (radian), the distance in the X-axis direction from the center of the pulley Pa to the center of the pin X is expressed by the following equation: x = sin (r) · Rx
It is expressed by This expression is a mathematical expression showing simple vibration in the X-axis direction.
On the other hand, the distance in the Y-axis direction from the center of the pulley Pb to the center of the pin Y is expressed by the following equation: y = cos (Rt · r) · Ry
(However, Rt = Tx / Ty)
It is expressed by This expression is a mathematical expression showing simple vibration in the Y-axis direction.

That is, according to the mechanism shown in FIG. 2, simple vibration in the X-axis direction is performed by the pulley Pa and the pin X, and simple vibration in the Y-axis direction is performed by the pulley Pb and the pin Y. Therefore, if these two are combined, it is possible to make the pour device perform the Lissajous movement.
Here, a linear guide (corresponding to reference numerals 262 and 263 in FIG. 3) that can move only in the X-axis direction on the guide plate 261 (see FIG. 3) and a guide plate 271 (see FIG. 4) on the plane. A linear guide that can move only in the Y-axis direction (corresponding to reference numerals 272 and 273 in FIG. 4) is provided.
In FIG. 2, if the ratio of the number of teeth of the toothed pulley Pa to the number of teeth of the toothed pulley Pb is 10:12 and the pulley Pa rotates 6 times, the guide plate 271 passes through the same point (origin). In this way, the start point and end point of the motion trajectory are set as the points (origin). As a result, the motion trajectory becomes a Lissajous figure as shown in FIG.
In FIG. 2, if the eccentric amount δx of the pulley Pa in the X-axis direction is 7.5 mm, when the pulley Pa is rotated halfway, the pulley Pa moves 15 mm (= 7.5 mm × 2) in the X-axis direction, and when the pulley Pa is rotated once. The total distance of reciprocation in the X-axis direction is 30 mm (= 15 mm × 2). If the eccentric amount δy of the pulley Pb in the Y-axis direction is 5.0 mm, the pulley Pb moves 10 mm (= 5.0 mm × 2) in the Y-axis direction when the pulley Pb rotates halfway, and the pulley Pb rotates once in the Y-axis direction. The total distance of reciprocation in the direction is 20 mm (= 10 mm × 2).
Here, the amount of eccentricity in the X-axis direction is preferably 1 mm to 20 mm, more preferably 3 mm to 10 mm. Further, the amount of eccentricity in the Y-axis direction is preferably 1 mm to 10 mm, more preferably 3 mm to 10 mm.

If the pulley Pa is rotated six times in one step (from the origin until it reaches the next origin), the pulley Pb makes five rotations (= 6 rotations × 10/12) during that time. The movement distance in the X-axis direction (reciprocation) and the Y-axis direction (reciprocation) in
Movement distance in the X-axis direction: 30 mm x 6 = 180 mm
Y-axis direction travel distance: 20 mm x 5 = 100 mm
It becomes.
In FIG. 2, the moving speed in the X-axis direction is 200 mm / second, and the moving speed in the Y-axis direction is 130 mm / second.
Here, the moving speed in the X-axis direction is preferably 50 mm / second to 350 mm / second, more preferably 100 mm / second to 250 mm / second. Further, the moving speed in the Y-axis direction is preferably 50 mm / second to 350 mm / second, and more preferably 50 mm / second to 200 mm / second. The moving speeds in the two directions are preferably different from each other, and the difference between the moving speeds is more preferably 50 mm / second or more.
In addition, the viscosity of the material to be mixed is not particularly limited. However, when the material to be mixed having a viscosity of 0 mPa · s to 2000 mPa · s is mixed by performing the Lissajous motion at the moving speed described above. The material to be done can be mixed evenly in particular. Therefore, the viscosity of the material to be mixed is preferably 0 mPa · s to 2000 mPa · s, and more preferably 1000 mPa · s to 1700 mPa · s. This viscosity is measured with a B-type viscometer, and the measurement temperature is 10 ° C. The rotational speed of the rotor and the rotor No. Such measurement conditions may be appropriately determined in accordance with the viscosity of the material to be mixed.
When the viscosity is measured with a rheometer, if the measurement temperature is 5 ° C., the load applied to the plunger in the rheometer is preferably 50 g to 200 g, more preferably 80 g to 160 g.

In the motion trajectory shown in FIG. 1, the trajectory obtained by switching in the X-axis direction (direction change) and switching in the Y-axis direction (direction change) constitutes a Lissajous curve.
By moving the petri dish with the sample and medium dispensed along the movement trajectory as shown in the Lissajous figure or Lissajous curve as shown in FIG. 1, the moving direction is changed by changing (changing direction) the movement speed. Thus, the specimen and the culture medium can be mixed uniformly.

A pour device 200 that operates based on the principle described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.
3 and 4, the pour device 200 includes an electric motor 201, an air cylinder 202, a first pulley 203, a second pulley 204, an idler pulley 205, a belt 206, and a coupling 207.
In the illustrated example, the three pulleys 203, 204, and 205 are all toothed pulleys, and the belt 206 is a belt having teeth formed on the inner peripheral surface.
The pour device 200 includes an electric motor support portion 230, a cylinder rod connection portion 240, a pulley mounting portion 250, a first simple vibration generating mechanism 260, a second simple vibration generating mechanism 270, and a petri dish mounting portion 280. .

The electric motor 201 is attached to the lower end of the pulley attachment portion 250 by the electric motor support portion 230 so as to be suspended.
The air cylinder 202 has a cylinder main body 202a, two rods 202b, and a rod tip connecting portion 202c. The lower end of the cylinder body 202a is fixed to the upper surface of the inspection apparatus base 211 by a known means.
A vertical member 212 is fixed to one end portion (the right end in FIG. 3) of the inspection apparatus base 211, and a corner portion of the fixed portion is reinforced by a reinforcing plate 213.
In FIG. 3, the idler pulley 205 is not shown in order to clearly show that the belt 206 is wound around the first pulley 203 and the second pulley 204. In FIG. 4, in order to clearly show that the belt 206 that is wound around the second pulley 204 is also hooked on the idler pulley 205, the position of the idler pulley 205 is outside the actual machine (in FIG. 4). (Right side). Therefore, the idler pulley 205 is shown in FIG. 4 as a part of the idler pulley 205 protrudes from the pulley mounting portion 250.

In FIG. 3, the electric motor support portion 230 is configured in a groove shape in cross section by the motor attachment portion 231 and the two vertical members 232.
The motor attachment portion 231 directly attaches the electric motor 201, and a through-hole through which the rotation shaft 201a of the electric motor 201 passes is formed although it is not clear in the drawing.
The upper ends of the two vertical members 232 are fixed to the lower surface of the lower horizontal member 251 (see FIG. 4) of the pulley mounting portion 250 (see FIG. 4) by, for example, welding.

In FIG. 4, the cylinder rod connecting portion 240 includes a rectangular horizontal member 241 and two rectangular vertical members 242.
The horizontal member 241 and the two vertical members 242 have the same width-direction dimension (the left-right dimension in FIG. 3).
A rod tip connecting portion 202c (FIG. 3) of the air cylinder 202 (FIG. 3) is fixed to the lower surface side of the horizontal member 241 by a known means. Further, the upper ends of the two vertical members 242 are fixed to the lower surface of the lower horizontal member 251 of the pulley mounting portion 250 by, for example, welding.

In FIG. 4, the pulley mounting portion 250 includes a rectangular lower horizontal member 251, two vertical members 252, and a rectangular upper horizontal member 253.
Although not clearly shown in the figure, two bearing mounting holes (steps) are provided on the common projection planes of the lower horizontal member 251 and the upper horizontal member 253, that is, on the common projection plane viewed from above in FIGS. A through-hole (not shown) is formed.
A total of two pairs of ball bearings 268 (FIG. 3) and 278 (FIG. 4) are disposed in the bearing holes. The two pairs of ball bearings 268 and 278 rotatably support pulley shafts 264 and 274 described later.

In FIG. 3, the first simple vibration generating mechanism 260 includes a guide plate 261, a linear guide upper member 262, a linear guide lower rail 263, a first pulley shaft 264, a first crank cam 265, and a first cam follower. 266, a cam follower pin 267, and a pair of ball bearings 268.
The first pulley shaft 264 has the first pulley 203 fixed to the approximate center of the shaft, and the lower end of the shaft is connected to the rotating shaft 201 a of the electric motor 201 by a coupling 207.
A pair of ball bearings 268 are disposed above and below the first pulley shaft 264 in the vicinity of the first pulley 203 fixed thereto, and the first pulley shaft 264 is rotatably supported by the bearing 268. Yes.

In FIG. 3, a disc-shaped first crank cam 265 is fixed to the upper end of the first pulley shaft 264. In the first crank cam 265, a cam follower pin 266 is fitted and fixed at a position offset by a dimension δ2 from the center of the first pulley shaft 264.
A cam follower 267 is rotatably supported on the cam follower pin 266.
The cam follower 267 is inserted into a guide groove 2613 (see FIG. 6) formed in the guide plate 261, and is configured to freely move in the guide groove 2613.

In FIG. 3, an upper member 262 of a pair of linear guides is fixed to the lower surface of the guide plate 261 so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface.
On the other hand, the lower rails 263 of the pair of linear guides are formed on the upper surface of the upper horizontal member 253 (see FIG. 4) of the pulley mounting portion 250 (see FIG. 4) so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. It is fixed.
As shown in FIG. 3, the upper member 262 of the pair of linear guides and the lower rail 263 of the pair of linear guides are engaged with each other. Then, the guide plate 261 to which the upper member 262 of the linear guide and the upper member 262 of the pair of linear guides are fixed is configured to move along the lower rail 263 in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. .

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the upper horizontal member 253 (see FIG. 4) of the pulley mounting portion 250 (see FIG. 4).
In FIG. 5, the upper horizontal member 253 is configured by cutting a steel plate having a thickness of 6 mm into a rectangular shape and chamfering the four corners of the rectangle in the illustrated example.
As shown in FIG. 5, the upper horizontal member 253 is line symmetric (left-right symmetric) with respect to the center line Lc. Here, “upper” in FIG. 5 is “right” in FIG. 3, and “lower” in FIG. 5 is “left” in FIG.
The upper horizontal member 253 is formed with screw holes 2531 at six locations on both upper and lower ends in FIG. The screw hole 2531 is formed in order to connect the pair of vertical members 252 of the pulley mounting portion 250 by a connecting screw (not shown) (for example, a countersunk screw), and is tapered.
In addition, the upper horizontal member 253 is formed with a total of eight internal threads 2532. The female screw 2532 is arranged on the center side in the vertical direction in FIG. 5 with respect to the row of the screw holes 2531, and is formed to fix the lower rail 263 of the linear guide.

On the center line Lc of the upper horizontal member 253, through holes 2533 and 2534 for inserting ball bearings are formed.
The through hole 2534 is provided with a counterbore 2535 (for example, a depth of 2 mm) having a diameter larger than the diameter of the first crank cam 265 (see FIG. 3) on the front side in FIG. The counterbore 2535 is formed to avoid interference with the first crank cam 265.
A ball bearing 278 is fitted into the through hole 2533, and the ball bearing 278 is a component of the second simple vibration generating mechanism 270. On the other hand, a ball bearing 268 is fitted into the through hole 2534, and the ball bearing 268 is a component of the first simple vibration generating mechanism 260.

FIG. 6 shows the guide plate 261 in a plan view.
In FIG. 6, in the illustrated example, a guide plate 261 is formed by cutting a steel plate having a thickness of 6 mm into a rectangular shape and chamfering four corners of the rectangle.
As shown in FIG. 6, the guide plate 261 is symmetrical with respect to the center line Lc. In FIG. 6, the “upper” is the right side of FIG. 3, and the “lower” is the left side of FIG.
In FIG. 6, the guide plate 261 has eight screw holes 2611 formed in the vicinity of the center line Lc and in the vicinity of the upper and lower ends in FIG. The screw hole 2611 is tapered.
The upper member 262 of the linear guide is connected to the eight screw holes 2611 by countersunk screws.

In the guide plate 261, in the vicinity of the left and right end portions in FIG. A pair of linear guide lower rails 273 in the second simple vibration generating mechanism 270 are fixed to the eight internal threads 2612 in total.
In FIG. 6, a guide groove (long hole) 2613 and a long hole 2614 are formed on the center line Lc of the guide plate 261. The long axis of the guide groove (long hole) 2613 is disposed on the center line Lc, and the short axis of the long hole 2614 is disposed on the center line Lc.
The width W26 of the guide groove 2613 is set so that the first cam follower 267 can smoothly move in the long hole 2613.
The long hole 2614 allows the second pulley shaft 274 in the second simple vibration generating mechanism 270 to be operated when the pour device 200 is operated (when the first simple vibration and the second simple vibration are generated simultaneously). The opening area is set sufficiently large so as not to interfere with the edge of the long hole 2614.

In FIG. 4, the second simple vibration generating mechanism 270 includes a guide plate 271, a linear guide upper member 272, a linear guide lower rail 273, a second pulley shaft 274, a second crank cam 275, and a second cam follower. 276, a cam follower pin 277, and a pair of ball bearings 278.
The second pulley shaft 274 has the second pulley 204 fixed substantially at the center.
In the second pulley shaft 274, a pair of ball bearings 278 is disposed in the vicinity of the location where the second pulley 204 is fixed. The second pulley shaft 274 is rotatably supported by the bearing 278.

A disc-shaped second crank cam 275 is fixed to the upper end of the second pulley shaft 274. In the second crank cam 275, a cam follower pin 276 is fitted and fixed at a position offset by a dimension δ1 from the center of the second pulley shaft 274.
A cam follower 277 is rotatably supported on the cam follower pin 276.
The cam follower 277 is inserted into a guide groove 2713 (see FIG. 7) formed in the guide plate 271 and is configured to freely slide in the guide groove 2713.

4, an upper member 272 of a pair of linear guides is fixed to the lower surface of the guide plate 271 so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG.
On the other hand, the lower rail 273 of the pair of linear guides extends in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 4 and is fixed to the upper surface of the guide plate 261 (see FIG. 3) in the first simple vibration generating mechanism 260. ing.
In FIG. 4, a pair of linear guide upper members 272 and a pair of linear guide lower rails 273 are engaged. The linear guide upper member 272 and the guide plate 271 to which the upper member 272 is fixed are configured to move along the lower rail 273 in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG.

In the illustrated example, the guide plate 271 shown in FIG. 7 is formed by cutting a steel plate having a thickness of 6 mm into a rectangular shape and chamfering the four corners of the rectangle.
In FIG. 7, the guide plate 271 is symmetrical with respect to the center line Lc. Here, the lower side of FIG. 7 is the left side of FIG. 3, and the upper side of FIG. 7 is the right side of FIG.
In FIG. 7, a total of eight screw holes 2711 are formed at the center in the vertical direction of the guide plate 271 and at both ends in the left-right direction, and each of the screw holes 2711 is tapered. The eight screw holes 2711 are formed to fix the upper member 272 (see FIG. 4) of a pair of linear guides to the guide plate 271 with countersunk screws.

In FIG. 7, two screw holes 2712 with tapered counterbore are formed on the center line Lc in the vertical center region of the guide plate 271. Here, the taper counterbore of the screw hole 2712 is formed on the back surface side of the guide plate 261 in FIG. The screw hole 2712 is formed to fix the vertical substrate 281 of the petri dish placement portion 280 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) with a countersunk screw (not shown).
In FIG. 7, a guide groove (long hole) 2713 is formed on the center line Lc of the guide plate 261. The long axis of the guide groove (long hole) 2713 is orthogonal to the center line Lc.
The width W27 of the guide groove 2713 is set so that the second cam follower 277 can smoothly move in the long hole 2713.

In FIG. 4, the petri dish placement unit 280 includes a vertical substrate 281, a horizontal member 282, and four pins 283.
The vertical substrate 281 and the horizontal member 282 are fixed in a T shape, and the lower end of the vertical substrate 281 is attached to the upper surface of the guide plate 271 of the second single vibration generating mechanism 270 by two countersunk screws.
The four pins 283 are made of, for example, resin, and are attached so that the lower ends of the pins are embedded on the upper surface of the horizontal member 282 and in the vicinity of the outer edge.
Since the petri dish (not shown) is held in contact with the four pins 283, the petri dish is not dropped from the petri dish placement unit 280 when the pour device 200 is operated.

In FIG. 3, the electric motor 201 is provided with a rotary encoder 208 that detects the rotation angle on the side of the rotation shaft 201 b (rotation shaft not for rotational force transmission).
The rotary encoder 208 includes a rotation angle sensor 208a, a rotation angle recognition plate (cut plate) 208b, and a mounting boss 208c. The rotation angle recognition plate (cut plate) 208b is attached to a rotation shaft 201b that is not for transmitting the rotational force of the electric motor 201 via an attachment boss 208c.
The rotation angle sensor 208a is attached to the motor attachment portion 231 via the sensor attachment bracket 208B.
The rotation angle recognition plate (cut plate) 208b has a notch (or a notch having a different shape at a plurality of locations) at one location on the outer edge of the disk.
The rotation angle sensor 208a accurately detects the rotation speed (or rotation angle) of the electric motor 201 by detecting the notch.

In FIG. 3, a rotary encoder 209 that detects the rotation angle of the second pulley shaft 274 is interposed at the lower end of the second pulley shaft 274.
The rotary encoder 209 includes a rotation angle sensor 209a, a rotation angle recognition plate (cut plate) 209b, and a mounting boss 209c. The rotation angle recognition plate (cut plate) 209b is attached to the second pulley shaft 274 via the attachment boss 209c.
The rotation angle sensor 209a is attached to the lower horizontal member 251 of the pulley attachment portion 250 via the sensor attachment bracket 209B.
The rotation angle recognition plate (cut plate) 209b has notches (notches) formed at one location on the outer edge of the disk, or notches having different shapes at a plurality of locations on the outer edge of the disc.
The rotation angle sensor 209a accurately detects the rotation speed (or rotation angle) of the second pulley shaft 274 by detecting the notch.

The air cylinder 202 expands and contracts when the petri dish is placed or moved on the petri dish placing unit 280.
The cylinder body 202a of the air cylinder 202 is provided with an intake port and an exhaust port at each of the upper and lower portions, and a speed controller 291 is provided at the intake port and the exhaust port so as to increase or decrease the operating speed of the air cylinder 202. It is configured.

When mixing by the pour device 200, a petri dish (target petri dish) into which a plurality of types of substances to be mixed (for example, a specimen and a medium) are dispensed is placed above the pour device 200 (for example, FIG. 10). From the petri dish transport section 4).
When the target petri dish reaches a predetermined position above the pour device 200, the transport mechanism stops. When the target petri dish reaches a predetermined position above the pour device 200, the air cylinder 202 of the pour device 200 is activated, and the petri dish placement unit 280 of the pour device 200 is a horizontal member of the petri dish placement unit 280. At 282, the height position is adjusted so that the target petri dish is placed.
When the petri dish is placed on the horizontal member 282 and a predetermined time has elapsed, the electric motor 201 starts to rotate.

When the electric motor 201 rotates, the rotational force is transmitted through the first pulley shaft 264, the first pulley 203, the belt 206, the second pulley 204, and the second pulley shaft 274 to the first single vibration generating mechanism. 260, the second simple vibration generating mechanism 270 is operated simultaneously.
The single vibration operation of the first single vibration generating mechanism 260 and the second single vibration generating mechanism 270 is performed by the Lissajous as shown in FIG. 1 on the petri dish placement unit 280 or the petri dish placed on the petri dish placement unit 280. Cause movement.
After a predetermined time has elapsed, the electric motor 201 stops. Further, after a predetermined time has elapsed, a manipulator (not shown) is operated to lift the petri dish after the prescribed pour, and place the petri dish at a predetermined position in the transport mechanism (for example, the petri dish transport unit 4 in FIG. 10). To do.
Thereby, the pour work of the target petri dish is completed.

According to the pour device 200 according to the first embodiment, the petri dish placement unit 280 and the petri dish placed thereon are caused to perform a Lissajous exercise.
Unlike the eccentric motion, the Lissajous motion moves in various directions. The speed is high near the origin of the Lissajous figure, and the speed decreases as the distance from the origin is increased.
When the petri dish placed on the apparatus 200 performs the Lissajous movement, the petri dish moves in various directions. Therefore, a plurality of types of substances to be mixed in the petri dish (for example, the microorganism testing apparatus of FIG. 10). The test object and the medium) are mixed uniformly.

Here, if the direction of movement of the petri dish is rapidly changed, the liquid in the petri dish may be scattered outside the petri dish. However, in the pour device 200 according to the first embodiment, since the petri dish performs the Lissajous motion, the direction of motion is suddenly changed in the region away from the origin, and in the region away from the origin, the motion is changed. Speed is reduced. Therefore, in the pour device 200 according to the first embodiment, the test object and the culture medium in the petri dish are not scattered when the direction is changed.
That is, according to the pour device 200 according to the first embodiment, the petri dish placed on the pour device 200 performs a Lissajous movement, so that a plurality of types of substances to be mixed in the petri dish (for example, FIG. 10). If this microorganism testing apparatus is used, uniform mixing is possible without scattering the test object and the medium) outside the petri dish.

In the pour device 200 according to the first embodiment, the X-axis direction simple vibration and the Y-axis direction simple vibration are performed using the same electric motor as a drive source.
On the other hand, it is also possible to perform single vibration in the X-axis direction and single movement in the Y-axis direction by separate drive sources (electric motors).
In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the pour device (the whole device is denoted by reference numeral 200A) includes an electric motor that performs simple vibration in the X-axis direction and an electric motor that performs single movement in the Y-axis direction. ing.
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the pour device 200A according to the second embodiment will be described mainly with respect to differences from the contents described with reference to FIGS.

8 and 9, the pour device 200A includes two electric motors 201 and 201.
The two electric motors 201 and 201 are both directly attached to the electric motor mounting frame 220.
In FIG. 8, the electric motor mounting frame 220 has a lower horizontal member 221, a pair of vertical members 222, and an upper horizontal member 223, and the two electric motors 201 are directly attached to the lower horizontal member 221. Yes.

Although not clearly shown in the upper horizontal member 223 of the electric motor mounting frame 220, through holes are formed at two locations.
Bearings 268 (FIG. 8) and 278 (FIG. 9) are interposed in the through holes, respectively.
A crank cam shaft 264A of the first simple vibration generating mechanism 260A and a crank cam shaft 274A of the second simple vibration generating mechanism 270A are rotatably supported by the bearings 268 and 278, respectively.
Crank camshafts 264A and 274A are connected to separate electric motors 201 and 201 by coupling 207, respectively.

In the second embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, the first simple vibration generating mechanism 260 </ b> A and the second simple vibration generating mechanism 270 </ b> A are driven by separate electric motors 201. Therefore, in the first embodiment, members required for transmitting rotation from the electric motor 201 to the first single vibration generating mechanism 260 and the second single vibration generating mechanism 270, for example, a belt and a tension pulley are This is not necessary in the second embodiment.
The rotations of the two electric motors are detected by separate rotary encoders 208, respectively.
Other configurations and operational effects in the second embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 are the same as those of the first embodiment described in FIGS.

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, FIG. 11, the microbe inspection apparatus to which the above-mentioned pour device is applied will be described.
10 and 11, a microbe inspection apparatus generally indicated by reference numeral 100 is in a product to be inspected (for example, a beverage containing a living lactic acid bacterium or bifidobacteria or a product in the middle of a manufacturing process). In addition, it has a function of inspecting whether or not microorganisms contaminating the product, such as Escherichia coli and yeast (contaminated microorganisms), are present.

In the microorganism testing apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a test object (for example, a commercially available beverage or a product in the middle of a manufacturing process) is mixed (mixed) with a medium without being diluted, and left still. After culturing, it is checked whether colonies of contaminating microorganisms have been formed.
In the microorganism testing apparatus 100, the test object is inhaled by a stainless steel nozzle (specimen nozzle N: see FIG. 11). Here, a resin nozzle (so-called “chip”) cannot penetrate an aluminum foil or the like (not shown) that covers a container opening of a product to be inspected. The microorganism testing apparatus 100 employs a nozzle made of stainless steel. This is because a stainless steel nozzle has sufficient rigidity to penetrate an aluminum foil or the like and is excellent in rust prevention performance.

10 and 11, the microorganism testing apparatus 100 includes a laser printing unit 1, a dispenser 2, a hand 3, a petri dish transport unit 4, a medium unit 5, a nozzle rack 6, a petri dish supply unit 7, a petri dish storage unit 8, and a pallet. A transport unit 9, a pallet 10, and a pour device 200 are provided.
In FIG. 11, the microorganism testing apparatus 100 includes a medium moving mechanism 11, a medium bottle 12, a medium stirrer 121, a medium nozzle 122, a nozzle elevator 123, a medium shutter 124, a peristal pump 13, and a UV germicidal lamp 14.

The laser printing unit 1 prints various types of inspection information on the petri dish lid so that the information on the inspection object and the culture medium is not mistaken. The inspection information printed on the petri dish lid by the laser printing unit 1 includes, for example, the inspection date and time, the name of the inspection object, the inspection medium, the number of seeds, and the like.
The dispenser 2 has a function of inhaling a test object (specimen) from a product container to be inspected and a function of dispensing the inhaled test object into a petri dish. The dispenser 2 is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow X in FIG. In other words, the dispenser 2 is configured to be movable between the position shown in FIG. 10 and the transport position by the pallet 10 in the X direction in FIG. 10 (the position of the pallet on the 9A side in FIG. 10).

The hand 3 is a pre-processing mechanism unit for a product to be inspected, reads product information from a pallet 10 (described later), and compares it with PC input (information input from a personal computer). When a product in the middle of the manufacturing process (for example, a product enclosed in a test tube) is an inspection target, the hand 3 executes a process of removing the silicon stopper enclosing the test tube.
The petri dish transport unit 4 has a function of transporting the petri dish in which the sample and the medium are dispensed to the pour device 200 and transporting the petri dish mixed with the sample and the medium uniformly to the petri dish storage unit after pouring.

The medium unit 5 is a medium supply source.
As shown in FIG. 11, the medium unit 5 includes a medium bottle 12, a medium stirrer 121, a medium nozzle 122, a nozzle elevator 123, and a medium shutter 124.
And it has a function which attracts | sucks a new culture medium from the culture medium bottle 12, and inject | pours the attracted culture medium into the petri dish for microorganism culture | cultivation by the culture medium nozzle 122. FIG.
The configuration of the culture medium unit 5 will be described later.

The nozzle rack 6 is provided with a sterilized nozzle rack 61 and a used nozzle rack 62.
In the sterilized nozzle rack 61, a sterilized nozzle N is set. In the used nozzle rack 62, the nozzles N used for inhalation of the inspection object are accommodated after use.
Before the inspection by the microorganism testing apparatus 100, the nozzle N (see FIG. 11) is not set in the used nozzle rack 62.

FIG. 11 shows a state where the sample nozzle N is mounted on the dispenser 2.
Regarding the attachment and detachment of the sample nozzle N to the dispenser 2, first, the sterilized nozzle N set in the sterilized nozzle rack 61 is attached to the dispenser 2 by a manipulator or a robot hand (not shown), and the object to be inspected Suction and discharge.
Then, the used nozzles (used nozzles) N are removed from the dispenser 2 by a manipulator or a robot hand (not shown) and placed in the used nozzle rack 62.
When the nozzle is mounted on or removed from the dispenser 2, the dispenser 2 moves in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 10, and the nozzle rack 6 moves in the direction of arrow Y in FIG.

The petri dish supply unit 7 has five racks in the illustrated example, and is configured such that a maximum of thirty unused petri dishes are stacked in each rack.
The petri dish storage unit 8 has a function of temporarily storing the petri dish in which the sample and the medium are uniformly mixed by the pour device 200 (or 200A).

The pallet transport unit 9 is configured by a circulation path (including a path 9A and a path 9B) on which a plurality of pallets 10 are placed, and is provided with pallet moving means (for example, a chain drive conveyor). In FIG. 10, the route 9A moves to the left and the route 9B moves to the right.
Further, the leftmost pallet 10 of the path 9A is moved from the path 9A to the path 9B by, for example, an air cylinder (not shown). Then, the rightmost pallet 10 in the path 9B is moved from the path 9B to the path 9A by, for example, an air cylinder (not shown).

On the pallet 10 on the pallet transport unit 9, a container of the product to be inspected is placed. This container is, for example, a commercially available container if the object to be inspected is a commercially available beverage, and is an experimental container filled with the intermediate product if the object to be inspected is an intermediate product in the middle of the manufacturing process. .
The operation of placing the product container to be inspected is an operation performed by an operator (manually).
For example, the detection target product container to be inspected first is placed on a stopped pallet indicated by reference numeral “No. 1” in FIG. Hereinafter, in FIG. The detection target product containers are sequentially placed from the pallet located on the right side of 1.
One product to be inspected is placed on each pallet 10 one by one, and for each predetermined operation, for example, each time the inspection object is inhaled from the product container to be inspected by the dispenser 2, the pallet 10 is one frame. 10 moves in the direction of the thick arrow (generally counterclockwise).

In the microorganism testing apparatus 100 of FIGS. 10 and 11, the product container to be tested that has been inhaled by the dispensing machine 2 is not automatically discarded and is left on the pallet 10 as it is. The
After the inspection target is inhaled from all the inspection target product containers placed on the pallet 10, the operator removes the inspection target product container whose inspection target has been inhaled from the pallet 10.

In FIG. 11, a culture medium moving mechanism 11 is a mechanism that moves the petri dish by opening and closing the petri dish lid. That is, the petri dish lid is opened by the medium moving mechanism 11 and moved to the medium unit 5 side.
After the medium is discharged to the petri dish by the medium unit 5, the petri dish is returned to the position where the lid is opened, and the lid of the petri dish is closed by the medium moving mechanism 11.

  The culture unit 5 includes a heat-insulated closed space (chamber) SP. The heat-insulated closed space SP includes a medium bottle 12, a peristaltic pump (tube pump) 13, a medium stirrer 121, a medium nozzle 122, A nozzle elevator 123 and a nozzle shutter 124 are provided.

A plurality (three in the illustrated example) of medium bottles 12 are arranged, and medium bottles suitable for culturing microorganisms to be detected are prepared.
After the test object is discharged to the petri dish by the dispenser 2, the medium is dispensed to the petri dish by the medium unit 5.

  The medium stirrer 121 is a mechanism for stirring the inside of the medium bottle 12 so that components in the medium do not precipitate in the medium bottle 12. Although not clearly shown, the medium stirrer 121 is composed of a magnetic body provided in the medium bottle 12 and a stirrer body provided below the medium bottle 12. The stirrer body includes a magnetic body (a magnetic body separate from the magnetic body in the medium bottle: not shown) and a mechanism (not shown) for rotating the magnetic body. By rotating the body, the magnetic substance in the bottle rotates in the bottle and stirs the medium contained in the medium bottle so that the medium does not separate into precipitate and supernatant. Yes.

The medium is sucked from the medium bottle 12 by the peristaltic pump 13 and discharged from the medium nozzle 122 into the petri dish.
When the medium is discharged into the petri dish, the medium nozzle 122 is lowered by the nozzle elevator 123 from the heat-insulated closed space SP. Then, the medium is dispensed into a petri dish (a petri dish in which the test object has already been dispensed: not shown in FIG. 11) placed at a position immediately below the medium nozzle 122.

The culture medium shutter 124 is provided at the bottom of the insulated closed space SP.
When the medium is poured into the petri dish from the medium nozzle 122, the medium shutter 124 is opened, and the opening through which the medium nozzle 122 passes (opening at the bottom of the closed space: not shown) is opened.
In a state where the medium is not injected from the medium nozzle 122 into the petri dish, the medium shutter 124 is closed to close the opening. This is to prevent the air temperature in the closed space SP from being lowered by the outside air entering through the opening through which the culture medium nozzle 122 passes.

The movement of the petri dish in the microorganism testing apparatus 100 is performed in the following order (a) to (f).
(A) The petri dish is moved from the petri dish supply unit 7 to the laser printing unit 1 and printed on the petri dish by the laser printing unit 1.
(B) In the dispenser 2, one nozzle N is picked up from the sterilized nozzle rack 61 and the nozzle N is mounted on the dispenser 2. Then, based on the collation information from the hand 3, the inspection target is sucked from the inspection target product container on the pallet 10 of the pallet transport unit 9 through the nozzle N and discharged to the petri dish.
(C) Next, in the medium unit 5, the medium is sucked from the medium bottle 12 by the peristaltic pump 13, and the medium is discharged from the medium nozzle 122 into the petri dish.
(D) The petri dish into which the culture medium and the product to be inspected are dispensed by the petri dish transport unit 4 is transported to the pour device 200 (or 200A).
(E) In the petri dish device 200, the culture medium and the product to be inspected are uniformly mixed in the petri dish.
(F) The petri dish in which the culture medium and the product to be inspected are uniformly mixed moves to the petri dish storage unit 8 and is stored therein.

As described above, the microorganism testing apparatus 100 of FIGS. 10 and 11 is an apparatus for testing whether or not contaminating microorganisms exist, and the number of contaminating microorganisms may not be tested.
However, depending on the type of contaminating microorganisms and the type of beverage being tested, if contaminated microorganisms exist, it is necessary to specify the quantity (how much contaminated microorganisms are present) .
In such a case, after mixing the culture medium and the test object, the number of colonies of the generated microorganisms can be determined, and the number of contaminating microorganisms present in the beverage product that is the test object can be determined from the mass of the test object. I can do it.

10 and 11, various operations required for microbial testing, for example, suction of an inspection target, dispensing operation, medium dispensing operation, and mixing of the inspection target and the culture medium are performed. Work can be automated.
Therefore, it is possible to easily determine the presence or absence of microorganisms in the test object without securing a worker who has performed long-term training.
In addition, since multiple types of media can be dispensed for each detection target, select a suitable medium for the contaminating microorganism (eg, E. coli or yeast) to be detected, and viable bacteria beneficial to the human body Only the contaminating microorganisms to be detected can form colonies without forming them.

Further, the microbe inspection apparatus 100 of FIGS. 10 and 11 has a nozzle rack 62 of used nozzles for storing the inspection object nozzles that are inhaled by the dispenser 2 and injected into the petri dish, and the inspection object is aspirated. Therefore, it is possible to separate and store a nozzle before sucking the object to be inspected (sterilized nozzle before use) and a nozzle after suction (nozzle after use).
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inspection object already sucked from being mixed into the nozzle before the inspection object is sucked (so-called “contamination”, “contamination”).

  It should be noted that the illustrated embodiment is merely an example, and is not a description to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Laser printing unit 2 ... Dispensing machine 3 ... Hand 4 ... Petri dish conveyance part 5 ... Medium unit 6 ... Nozzle rack 7 ... Petri dish supply part 8 ... Petri dish Storage unit 9 ... Pallet transport unit 10 ... Pallet 11 ... Medium transfer mechanism 12 ... Medium bottle 13 ... Peristaltic pump 100 ... Microorganism testing apparatus 200, 200A ... Pouring apparatus 260 ... first single vibration generating mechanism 261,271 ... guide plate 270 ... second single vibration generating mechanism 282 ... horizontal member (table)

Claims (2)

  A table on which a container containing materials to be mixed is placed; a first simple vibration generating mechanism that generates simple vibrations in one of two directions orthogonal to each other on a plane; and the other direction in the two directions. A second simple vibration generating mechanism that generates a single vibration, and the table is attached to a member that performs a motion combining the single vibration generated by the first single vibration generation mechanism and the single vibration generated by the second single vibration generation mechanism. A pistol device characterized by   The moving speed of simple vibration in one direction in two directions orthogonal to each other on a plane is 100 mm / second to 250 mm / second, and the moving speed of simple vibration in the other direction in the two directions is 50 mm / second to 200 mm / second. The pour apparatus according to claim 1.

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