JP2018008737A - Container screw lid attachment/detachment device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container screw lid attachment/detachment device which is a low cost and has a small size, and which can attach/detach a screw lid of a container easily, quickly and with a good efficiency by manual operation without use of power from a motor or the like.SOLUTION: In a screw lid attachment/detachment device 101, a horizontal rotary plate 103 is concentrically and rotatably mounted to a perpendicular pivot 104 of a stem 102 which is horizontally fixed to an external fitting part, and lid mounting parts 107a, 107b are integrally provided at an eccentric position of an underside of the rotary plate. The lid mounting parts have lid holding holes 108a, 108b which are opened on undersides thereof, and 125a, 125b, which are continuous in a circumferential direction, are formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof. A pipe body Tm of a spin-down pipe Tc is held by one hand, and a screw lid Cp is inserted into the lid holding hole of the lid mounting part from below, thereby elastically deforming irregular parts and so bringing the irregular parts into contact with each other as to be unable of relatively rotating in a circumferential direction. When a circular rotary plate is rotated in a counterclockwise direction by the hand which held the pipe body, the screw lid Cp is rotated integrally to the lid mounting part in a loosening direction with respect to the pipe body, and therefore, the screw lid can be removed from a mouth of the spin-down pipe.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for easily attaching and detaching a screwed to a mouth of a container such as a centrifuge tube.

  In general, when a screw lid is attached to and detached from the mouth of a container by hand, the container body is held by one hand and the screw lid is opened and tightened by the other hand. However, when putting an object such as a sample into a centrifuge tube by centrifugation or clinical examination, it is difficult to attach and detach the screw cap by hand because one hand is often closed to handle the sample. is there.

  Therefore, conventionally, an apparatus capable of automatically attaching and detaching the screw lid of the container has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In these conventional devices, the cap of the fixed container is fixed by means such as an air chuck or a leaf spring claw, and the means is rotated by a motor to open and close the cap.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-300591 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-300592

  However, since the above-described conventional apparatus includes power means such as a motor and an air cylinder, the apparatus itself is large and expensive. Moreover, since it is necessary to attach and detach the containers one by one at predetermined positions, it is practically difficult to quickly attach and detach the caps.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and its purpose is to efficiently and simply and efficiently remove the screw cap of the container manually without requiring a power means such as a motor. An object of the present invention is to provide a small and low-priced screw lid attaching / detaching device that can be easily attached and detached.

In order to achieve the above object, the screw lid attaching / detaching device for a container according to the present invention includes:
A device for attaching and detaching a screw lid to the mouth of a container body,
The base,
A lid attaching portion having an inner surface that engages with an outer periphery of the screw lid and holds the screw lid so that the screw lid can be removed and cannot rotate relative to the axis thereof;
A lid attaching portion that is rotatably attached in both directions around the axis of the screw lid, and a guide mechanism that guides the lid attaching portion so as to be reciprocally movable relative to the base while rotating the lid attaching portion. .

  In one embodiment, the guide mechanism includes a pivot fixed to the base side, and a rotating member that is rotatably provided on the pivot and has the lid attaching portion attached at an eccentric position with respect to the pivot center.

  In another embodiment, the guide mechanism includes a gear provided on the outer periphery of the lid attaching portion, and a rack that is fixed to the base side and meshes with the gear.

  In still another embodiment, the guide mechanism includes one of a cam that rotates integrally with the lid attaching portion around the axis of the screw lid or a cam follower that follows the cam, and a cam follower or cam that is fixed to the base side. Of the other.

  In some embodiments, the inner surface of the lid attachment is elastic.

  In an embodiment, the inner surface of the lid attachment portion has a concavo-convex portion that is continuous in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the screw lid.

  In another embodiment, the inner surface of the lid attaching portion is inclined so as to reduce the diameter in the direction opposite to the screw tightening direction along the axial direction of the screw lid.

  In yet another embodiment, the lid attachment can be deformed radially inward.

  According to the screw lid attaching / detaching device of the container of the present invention, as described above, the lid attaching portion having the inner surface that engages the outer periphery of the screw lid and holds the screw lid so as to be removable but not relatively rotatable is guided. By reciprocating relative to the base while rotating by the mechanism, the screw cap can be easily and quickly attached and detached without using the other hand while holding the centrifuge tube with one hand. Furthermore, since the hand is not used other than having the centrifuge tube with one hand, contamination of the screw lid, the mouth portion of the tube main body and the inside can be effectively prevented.

The perspective view which shows the screw lid attachment / detachment apparatus for centrifuge tubes of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the screw cap attachment / detachment apparatus for centrifuge tubes of 1st Embodiment. (A) The figure is sectional drawing of a lid attachment part, (b) The figure is the bottom view. Sectional drawing which shows the state which reduced the internal diameter of the lid | cover holding | maintenance part hole of the lid | cover attachment part. The use explanatory drawing which attaches and detaches the screw cover of a centrifuge tube. The elements on larger scale which show the state which inserted the screw cover in the lid | cover holding hole. The elements on larger scale which show the state which hold | maintained the screw cover in the cover holding hole. The perspective view which shows the screw lid attachment / detachment apparatus for centrifuge tubes of the modification of 1st Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the screw lid attachment or detachment apparatus for centrifuge tubes of FIG. The exploded perspective view of one lid attaching part. (A) The figure is sectional drawing of a lid attachment part, (b) The figure is the bottom view. Sectional drawing which shows the state which reduced the internal diameter of the lid | cover holding | maintenance part hole of the lid | cover attachment part. The elements on larger scale which show the state which inserted the screw cover in the lid | cover holding hole. The elements on larger scale which show the state which hold | maintained the screw cover in the cover holding hole. The perspective view which shows the screw lid attachment / detachment apparatus for centrifuge tubes of another modification of 1st Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the screw lid attachment / detachment apparatus for centrifuge tubes of FIG. (A) The figure is sectional drawing of a lid attachment part, (b) The figure is the bottom view. Sectional drawing which shows the state which reduced the internal diameter of the lid | cover holding | maintenance part hole of the lid | cover attachment part. The elements on larger scale which show the state which inserted the screw cover in the lid | cover holding hole. The elements on larger scale which show the state which hold | maintained the screw cover in the cover holding hole. The perspective view which shows the screw lid attachment / detachment apparatus for centrifuge tubes of 2nd Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the screw lid attachment / detachment apparatus for centrifuge tubes of FIG. The bottom view of a lid attachment part. The use explanatory drawing which attaches and detaches the screw cover of a centrifuge tube. The perspective view which shows the screw lid attachment / detachment apparatus for centrifuge tubes of 3rd Embodiment. (A) The figure is sectional drawing in the VI-VI line of FIG. 25, (b) The figure is the bottom view. (A) The figure is the elements on larger scale which show the state which inserted the screw cover in the lid holding hole, (b) The figure is the bottom view. The use explanatory drawing which attaches and detaches the screw cover of a centrifuge tube. The perspective view which shows the screw lid attachment / detachment apparatus for centrifuge tubes of 4th Embodiment. Sectional drawing in the XX of FIG. (A) (b) is a use explanatory drawing which attaches and detaches the screw cap of a centrifuge tube. The perspective view which shows the screw lid attachment / detachment apparatus for centrifuge tubes of 4th Embodiment. Sectional drawing in the XIII-XIII line | wire of FIG. The partial expanded end view of the state which inserted the centrifuge tube in 5th Embodiment. The bottom view of FIG.

  Hereinafter, a screw lid attaching / detaching device for a container according to the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The screw lid attaching / detaching device of this embodiment is a device particularly suitable for attaching / detaching the screw lid of a centrifuge tube as a container, but is not limited thereto. In the accompanying drawings, similar components are denoted by like reference numerals throughout the present specification.

  1 and 2 schematically show a first embodiment of a screw cap attachment / detachment device for a centrifuge tube to which the present invention is applied. The screw lid attaching / detaching apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment includes a central base 102 and a horizontal rotating plate 103 made of a substantially oval flat plate member. The base 102 is mounted with a mounting hub 105 via two bearings 106 at the lower end of a vertical rod 104 projecting upward from the center thereof. The screw lid attaching / detaching device 101 can be used, for example, in a state where the upper end of the vertical rod 104 is fixed to an external attachment portion and suspended.

  The center of the upper surface of the horizontal rotating plate 103 is integrally fixed to the bottom of the mounting hub 105, and is thereby attached to the base 102 so as to be horizontally rotatable. On the lower surfaces of both ends of the horizontal rotating plate 103, two types of lid attaching portions 107a and 107b having different sizes are integrally projected downward. The lid attaching portions 107a and 107b are each substantially in the shape of a short cylinder, and lid holding holes 108a and 108b are formed on the lower surfaces thereof. The size of the lid attaching portions 107a and 107b is selected based on the outer diameter of the centrifuge tube lid to be used.

  A brake pad 109 slidably contacting the upper surface of the mounting hub 105 is placed on the base 102. The brake pad 109 is formed in a small disk shape having a predetermined thickness, for example, of felt material so that a frictional force can be exerted between the upper surface of the rotating mounting hub 105. The center of the brake pad 109 is penetrated by the vertical rod 104, and a washer 110 is placed on the top surface of the brake pad 109. The brake pad 109 is pressed downward by a nut 119 screwed onto the vertical rod. Thereby, the frictional force between the brake pad 109 and the upper surface of the mounting hub 105 is adjusted, and the rotation of the horizontal rotating plate 103 relative to the base portion 102 is controlled.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B exemplarily show one type (large size) of the lid attaching portion 107a. The other type (small size) of the lid attaching portion 107b has substantially the same configuration except that its outer shape and the size of the lid insertion hole 108b are smaller than those of the lid attaching portion 107a. To do.

  The lid attaching portion 107a includes a bottomed short cylindrical inner cylinder member 111a and an outer cylinder member 112a screwed to the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder member. The inner cylinder member 111 a has an opening facing downward, and an upper bottom plate portion is integrally fixed to the lower surface of the horizontal rotating plate 103 with bolts 113 a. A male thread 114a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder member 111a from the lower end to the upper end.

  The outer cylinder member 112a has an upper cylindrical portion 115a and a lower truncated cone-shaped cylindrical portion 116a. On the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 115a, a female screw 117a that is screwed into the male screw 114a of the inner cylindrical member 111a is formed from the upper end to the vicinity of the frustoconical cylindrical portion 116a. The inner peripheral surface of the frustoconical cylindrical portion 116a is formed into a tapered surface 118a that gradually decreases downward, for example, at a constant rate.

  A cylindrical mount member 121a is inserted into the cylindrical portion of the inner cylindrical member 111a from its lower opening. In the mount member 121a, the inner peripheral surface of the lower portion is expanded in diameter via a step 122a. On the outer peripheral surface of the mount member 121a, a tapered portion 123a is formed in the vicinity of the lower end of the mount member 121a. The taper portion 123a has a diameter reduced downward corresponding to the tapered surface 118a of the outer cylinder member 112a.

  The mount member 121a of this embodiment is integrally formed of, for example, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or other elastically deformable elastomer material. In another embodiment, only the lower portion of the mount member 121a is formed of an elastically deformable elastomer material such as natural rubber or synthetic rubber, and the upper portion of the step 122a is made of another material such as a hard material that does not elastically deform. It can also be made of a material.

  A lid holding member 124a is inserted into the lower portion of the mount member 121a from its lower opening. The lid holding member 124a is made of an elastically deformable elastomer material and is formed in a short cylindrical ring shape having a substantially constant thickness. The outer peripheral surface of the lid holding member 124a is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the lower portion of the mount member with, for example, an appropriate adhesive so as not to drop off from the mount member 121a. On the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding member 124a, a relatively fine uneven portion 125a continuous in the circumferential direction is formed on the entire surface. In another embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding member 124a can be formed smoothly.

  When the screw lid attaching / detaching apparatus 101 is used for a centrifuge tube as in the present embodiment, the material of the lid holding member 124a is preferably a material having a low possibility of contamination, such as natural rubber. However, other elastomer materials such as synthetic rubber can be used depending on the application of the screw lid attaching / detaching device 101.

  A stopper member 126a is interposed between the upper end of the lid holding member 124a and the step 122a of the mount member 121a. The stopper member 126a is formed of a thin disk made of, for example, a plastic material. The stopper member 126a determines the upper end position or depth of the lid holding hole 108a defined inside by the lid holding member 124a.

  The inner diameter of the lid holding hole 108a is determined by the inner diameter of the lid holding member 124a, and can be adjusted within a certain range by changing the inner diameter of the lid holding member. In the present embodiment, the inner diameter of the lid holding member 124a can be changed by moving the outer cylinder member 112a up and down with respect to the inner cylinder member 111a as described below.

  In FIG. 3A, the mount member 121a is inserted into the cylindrical portion of the inner cylindrical member 111a as far as possible, and the tapered surface 118a of the frustoconical cylindrical portion 116a of the outer cylindrical member 112a is inserted into the tapered portion 123a of the outer peripheral surface thereof. Abuts to prevent the mount member from coming off from the inner cylinder member. When the outer cylindrical member 112a is tightened with respect to the inner cylindrical member 111a with the mounting state of FIG. 3A as a reference position, the position of the truncated cone-shaped cylindrical portion 116a moves upward.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the lower portion of the mount member 121a is pressed against the tapered surface 118a of the raised truncated cone-shaped tubular portion 116a and elastically deforms inward in the radial direction. As a result, the lid holding member 124a is elastically deformed inward in the radial direction, and the inner diameter of the lid holding hole 108a is adjusted from the initial inner diameter R1 at the reference position in FIG. 3A to the tightening position in FIG. Decreases to an inner diameter R2. The inner diameter R2 is the minimum inner diameter at the vertical position where the amount of elastic deformation of the lid holding member 124a is maximum in FIG.

  The inner diameter adjustment width of the lid holding hole 108a is set according to the outer diameter of the centrifuge tube lid used. For example, there are generally two types of commercially available centrifuge tubes with a capacity of 50 ml and 15 ml, and the lid dimensions of each manufacturer differ within an outer diameter range of about 2 to 3 mm. Accordingly, the lid attaching portion 107a is an outer cylinder member, for example, a commercially available centrifuge tube (capacity 50 ml), which sets the inner diameter R1 at the reference position based on the maximum outer diameter of the lid, and then decreases by about 2 to 3 mm. Even if 112a is tightened, the opening shape of the lid holding member 124a at the vertical position where the minimum inner diameter R2 is achieved may be substantially circular. Further, based on the inner diameter adjustment width of the lid holding hole 108a set as described above, the minimum necessary tightening amount of the outer cylinder member 112a with respect to the inner cylinder member 111a at the reference position is determined.

  In FIG. 4, the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding member 124a is shown to be most elastically deformed at a position slightly below the center in the vertical direction. However, by appropriately designing the shape and / or size of the lower portion of the mount member 121a and / or the shape and / or size of the tapered surface 118a of the truncated cone-shaped tubular portion 116a that presses the lid portion, The position at which the elastic deformation of the member 124a is maximized is shifted upward or downward from FIG. 4, or the size of the elastic deformation is made substantially uniform over the substantially entire length of the lid holding member 124a, or the difference is made small. can do.

  Further, the axial length of the lid holding member 124a, that is, the height position H1 of the stopper member 126a is set according to the height of the lid of the centrifuge tube used. In the present embodiment, when the centrifuge tube lid is inserted into the lid holding member 124a from the bottom to the position where it comes into contact with the stopper member 126a, the lower end of the centrifuge tube lid is located outside the lower end opening of the lid holding member 124a. It is preferable to set it so that it is slightly exposed. Even if the commercially available centrifuge tubes have the same capacity, there is a difference of about 2 to 4 mm in the height of the lid depending on the manufacturer and model. Therefore, the height position H1 may be set somewhat lower than that according to the minimum height of the lid size of the commercially available centrifuge tube. In another embodiment, the height position H1 can be set larger than the height dimension of the lid of a commercial centrifuge tube.

  In the present embodiment, the large-sized lid attaching part 107a is configured to be adapted to a commercially available centrifuge tube with a capacity of 50 ml as described above, whereas the small-sized lid attaching part 107b is commercially available. It is configured to accommodate a centrifuge tube with a capacity of 15 ml. That is, the dimensions of the lid holding member 124b, the height position of the stopper member 126b, and the like are set in the same manner as in the case of the lid attaching portion 107a in accordance with the lid dimensions of a commercially available 15 ml centrifuge tube.

  The lid attaching portions 107a and 107b are arranged so that the center axes 128a and 128b of the lid holding holes 108a and 108b are parallel to the center axis of the vertical rod 104, that is, the rotation center axis 103a of the horizontal rotating plate 103. When the horizontal rotating plate 103 is rotated around the rotation center shaft 103a, the lid attaching portions 107a and 107b rotate about the central axes 128a and 128b of the lid holding holes 108a and 108b, respectively, Revolves around the rotation center axis 103a.

  Since the rotation of the lid attaching portions 107a and 107b is guided by the horizontal rotating plate 103, the rotation direction is the same as the rotation direction of the horizontal rotating plate. Further, the rotation period of the lid attaching parts 107a and 107b coincides with the rotation period, that is, the revolution period, because the lid attaching part is fixed to the horizontal rotating plate 103. Accordingly, when the horizontal rotating plate 103 is rotated once, the lid attaching portions 107a and 107b are rotated once in the same direction. In another embodiment, by providing a conversion mechanism such as a gear mechanism at the attachment portion between the horizontal rotating plate 103 and the lid attaching portions 107a and 107b, the lid attaching portion is rotated once by the horizontal rotating plate. In contrast, it can be rotated a different number of times.

  A procedure for attaching / detaching the screw lid from the centrifuge tube using the screw lid attaching / detaching device 101 will be described below. As described above, the screw lid attaching / detaching device 101 is fixed in a state where the upper end of the vertical rod 104 is fixed to an external mounting portion by using an appropriate fastener, and is suspended so that the horizontal rotating plate 103 is disposed horizontally. use. In each of the following embodiments, it is assumed that the centrifuge tube has a right-handed male screw formed on the outer periphery of the mouth portion and a right-handed female screw screwed on the outer periphery of the lid.

  When the screw cap Cp is removed from the commercially available 50 ml centrifuge tube Tc, the tube body Tm of the centrifuge tube is held with one hand as shown in FIG. 5, and the screw cap Cp is inserted into the lid holding hole 108a of the lid attaching portion 107a from below. insert. As shown in FIG. 6, the centrifuge tube Tc is inserted so that the outer peripheral surface of the screw lid Cp is engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding member 124a by elastically deforming the uneven portion 125a. Preferably, the centrifuge tube Tc is inserted to such a depth that the upper end of the screw lid Cp contacts the stopper member 126a.

  The screw lid Cp does not easily rotate relative to the lid holding hole 108a in the circumferential direction even when the hand holding the centrifuge tube Tc is twisted, and the centrifuge tube Tc is held in the lid holding hole and does not fall naturally even when the hand is released. It is preferable to engage to the extent. Thereby, a sufficient frictional force can be generated between the screw lid Cp and the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding member 124a, and a torque necessary and sufficient to loosen or tighten the tube main body Tm can be exhibited.

  When the engagement between the screw lid Cp and the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding member 124a is insufficient, the outer cylinder member 112a is tightened into the inner cylinder member 111a to adjust the inner diameter of the lid holding hole to be small. . The inner diameter of the lid holding hole 108a (108b) is preferably adjusted in advance so as to obtain an appropriate engagement state with the lid during use.

  Next, while holding the tube body Tm with one hand, the horizontal rotating plate 103 is rotated in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. Since the screw cap Cp of the centrifuge tube Tc is formed with a right-handed female screw on its inner peripheral surface, it rotates in the loosening direction with respect to the tube body Tm. As described above, since the number of rotations and the number of revolutions of the lid attaching portion 107a coincide with each other, the number of rotations of the horizontal rotating plate 103 is set to the number of turns of the female screw of the screw cover Cp or more. As a result, the screw lid Cp is completely released from the mouth portion of the tube main body Tm, and is held in the lid holding hole 108a when the hand is lowered straight while holding the tube main body Tm as shown in FIG. It is removed in the state that was done.

  When the screw lid Cp held in the lid holding hole 108a is again fastened to the pipe main body Tm, the pipe main body Tm is held with one hand, and as shown in FIG. The male screw of the mouth is inserted straight up to a height position where it matches the female screw of the screw lid Cp. The horizontal rotating plate 103 is rotated in the clockwise direction when viewed from above in the direction of arrow B in FIG. Thereby, the screw lid Cp rotates in the screw tightening direction with respect to the tube main body Tm.

  The number of rotations of the horizontal rotating plate 103 is set to be equal to or greater than the number of turns of the female screw of the screw lid Cp, as in the case of removing the screw lid Cp described above. Since the screw lid Cp is engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding member 124a in a state capable of exerting a torque necessary and sufficient for fastening the screw lid to the tube body Tm, as shown in FIG. The lid Cp can be fastened to the mouth of the tube body Tm.

  The centrifuge tube Tc can be taken out from the lid attaching portion 107a with the screw lid Cp fastened to the mouth portion when the tube body Tm is pulled straight down by hand. Thus, according to the screw lid attaching / detaching apparatus 101, the screw lid Cp can be attached / detached from the centrifuge tube Tc held by one hand without using the other hand. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to touch the screw lid Cp at that time, contamination of the screw lid, the mouth portion of the tube main body Tm, and the inside thereof can be more effectively prevented.

  The mechanism for adjusting the inner diameters of the lid holding holes 108a and 108b in the centrifuge tube screw lid attaching / detaching apparatus 101 of the first embodiment described above can be implemented with various modifications. 8 and 9 schematically show a modification of the screw cap attaching / detaching device for a centrifuge tube provided with a lid holding hole inner diameter adjusting mechanism different from the first embodiment described above.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the screw lid attaching / detaching device 131 according to the present modification includes a central base 132 and a horizontal rotating plate 133 made of a long and thin octagonal flat plate member. The base 132 has two bearings 135 attached to the lower end of a vertical rod 134 protruding upward from the center thereof. The horizontal rotary plate 133 is attached to the base portion 132 so as to be horizontally rotatable by embedding bearings 135 in the upper and lower surfaces of the central portion of the horizontal rotary plate.

  The base portion 132 includes a brake pad 136 formed of a felt material, for example, in a small disk shape having a predetermined thickness. The brake pad 136 is placed on the upper surface of the central portion of the horizontal rotating plate 132 with the vertical rod 134 passing through the center thereof, and is downwardly moved by a washer 139 disposed thereon and a nut 140 screwed to the vertical rod. It is pressed. Thereby, the frictional force between the brake pad 136 and the upper surface of the horizontal rotating plate 132 is adjusted, and the rotation of the horizontal rotating plate 133 relative to the base portion 132 is controlled.

  On the bottom surfaces of both ends of the horizontal rotating plate 133, two types of lid attaching portions 137a and 137b having different sizes are integrally projected downward. The lid attaching portions 137a and 137b are substantially short cylinders, respectively, and lid holding holes 138a and 138b are formed on the lower surfaces thereof. The sizes of the lid attaching portions 137a and 137b are set based on the lid sizes of commercially available 50 ml and 15 ml centrifuge tubes, as in the first embodiment. Since the lid attaching portions 137a and 137b have substantially the same configuration except that the dimensions are different, the lid attaching portion having a large size is exemplarily shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 (a) and 11 (b). The part 137a will be described.

  The lid attaching portion 137a includes an inner shaft member 141a and an outer cylinder member 142a that is screwed onto the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member. The shaft member 141a is composed of a shaft portion 143a having a short columnar upper portion, and a male screw 144a is formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The lower part of the shaft member 141a is composed of a truncated cone-shaped cylindrical portion 145a, and is formed integrally with the lower end of the shaft portion 143a. The shaft member 141a is integrally fixed to the horizontal rotating plate by screwing the shaft portion 143a to the lower surface of the horizontal rotating plate 133.

  The frustoconical cylindrical portion 145a includes an upper frustoconical portion 146a coupled to the shaft portion 143a and a cylindrical portion 147a provided at the lower end thereof, and a lid holding member 148a is provided inside the cylindrical portion. Installed. The lid holding member 148a is an elastically deformable elastomer material and is formed in a short cylindrical ring shape having a substantially constant thickness. However, the lid holding member 148a is an open ring cut at one place in the circumferential direction. Different from the lid holding member 124a of one embodiment. The inner peripheral surface of the lid holding member 148a has a relatively fine concavo-convex portion 149a continuous in the circumferential direction on the entire surface, but can also be formed with a smooth surface.

  The frustoconical cylindrical portion 145a is formed with a plurality of slits 151a extending linearly over substantially the entire length in the axial direction from the vicinity of the coupling portion with the shaft portion 143a to the lower end thereof at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. . The plurality of strip-shaped plate pieces 152a defined between the adjacent slits 151a are provided so as to be bent inward in the radial direction depending on the material and / or form thereof. Since all the strip-shaped plate pieces 152a are bent inward in the radial direction uniformly, the frustoconical cylindrical portion 145a can be reduced in inner diameter while maintaining its cross-sectional shape substantially circular. Therefore, the flexibility of the strip-shaped plate piece portion 150a may be set in a range where the side pieces of the adjacent slits 149a are in contact with each other when bent, thereby determining the range in which the inner diameter can be reduced.

  The cylindrical portion 147a of the truncated cone-shaped cylindrical portion 145a has a lower end bent inward in the radial direction, and a protruding edge portion 153a for mounting the lid holding member 148a is formed thereon. The width of the protruding portion 153a is set smaller than the thickness of the lid holding member so that the lid holding member 148a can be supported by the outer peripheral edge thereof. The inner diameter of the lid holding hole 138a is determined by the inner diameter of the lid holding member 148a that can be seen inside the projecting edge portion 153a when the lid holding hole is viewed from below.

  On the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 147a, a radially inward step 154a is formed at a height position corresponding to the axial length of the lid holding member 148a from the protruding edge portion 153a. Accordingly, the lid holding member 148a is held in the cylindrical portion 147a so as not to move in the axial direction of the lid holding hole 138a between the projecting edge portion 153a and the step 154a.

  A stopper member 150a for a centrifuge tube to be inserted into the lid holding hole 138a is provided in the frustoconical cylindrical portion 145a. The stopper member 150a has a small cylindrical shape arranged concentrically with the lid holding hole 138a, and projects integrally downward from the lower surface of the shaft portion 143a. The lower end of the stopper member 150a is disposed slightly above the cylindrical portion 147a of the frustoconical cylindrical portion 145a, and defines the depth of the lid holding hole 138a in the same manner as the stopper member 126a of the first embodiment. The height position of the centrifuge tube lid that can be inserted into the hole is limited.

  On the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member 142a, a female screw 155a that is screwed into the male screw 144a of the shaft member 141a is formed on the upper side. A tapered surface 156a is formed on the lower side of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member 142a, corresponding to the inclination of the outer peripheral surface of the truncated cone portion 146a of the shaft member 141a.

  FIG. 11A shows a state in which the tapered surface 156a of the outer cylindrical member 142a is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the truncated cone portion 146a of the truncated cone-shaped cylindrical portion 145a without pressing the outer peripheral surface. When the outer cylindrical member 142a is fastened to the shaft portion 143a of the shaft member 141a and moved downward with the state of FIG. 11A as a reference position, the truncated cone portion 146a is tapered as shown in FIG. The belt-like plate pieces 152a are elastically deformed inward in the radial direction. As a result, the inner diameter of the lid holding hole 138a decreases from the initial inner diameter R1 at the reference position in FIG. 11A to the adjusted inner diameter R2 at the tightening position in FIG. The inner diameter adjustment width of the lid holding hole 138a is set according to the outer diameter of the lid of the centrifuge tube used as in the case of the first embodiment.

  The lid attaching portions 137a and 137b are arranged so that the center axes 158a and 158b of the lid holding holes 138a and 138b are parallel to the center axis of the vertical rod 134, that is, the rotation center axis 133a of the horizontal rotating plate 133. When the horizontal rotating plate 133 is rotated around the rotation center axis 133a, the lid attaching portions 137a and 137b rotate about the central axes 158a and 158b of the lid holding holes 138a and 138b, respectively, Revolve around the rotation center axis 133a. The rotation direction of the lid attaching portions 137a and 137b has the same rotation direction as the rotation direction of the horizontal rotation plate, and the rotation cycle thereof coincides with the rotation cycle of the horizontal rotation plate 133, that is, the revolution cycle.

  The procedure for attaching / detaching the screw lid from the centrifuge tube using the screw lid attaching / detaching device 131 is the same as in the case of the first embodiment. The screw lid attaching / detaching device 131 is used in a state in which the upper end of the vertical rod 134 is fixed to an external mounting portion using an appropriate fastener, and is suspended so that the horizontal rotating plate 133 is disposed horizontally.

  When removing the screw cap Cp from the commercially available 50 ml centrifuge tube Tc, as shown in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, hold the tube body Tm of the centrifuge tube with one hand and hold the screw cap Cp on the lid attachment portion 137a. The hole 138a is inserted from below. As shown in FIG. 13, the centrifuge tube Tc is inserted so that the outer peripheral surface of the screw lid Cp is engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding member 148a by elastically deforming the uneven portion 149a. When the engagement between the screw lid Cp and the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding member 148a is insufficient, the outer cylinder member 142a is fastened to the shaft portion 143a of the shaft member 141a to reduce the inner diameter of the lid holding hole. Adjust to.

  Next, while holding the tube main body Tm with one hand, the number of turns of the female screw of the screw cap Cp in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. Rotate beyond that. Since the screw cap Cp of the centrifuge tube Tc rotates in the loosening direction with respect to the tube main body Tm and is completely released from the mouth portion, as shown in FIG. 14, the hand is straightened while holding the tube main body Tm. When lowered, it is removed while remaining in the lid holding hole 138a.

  When the screw lid Cp in the lid holding hole 138a is fastened to the pipe main body Tm again, the pipe main body Tm is held with one hand, and as shown in FIG. 14, the mouth of the mouth is inserted into the lid holding hole 138a from below. The male screw is inserted straight up to a height position matching the female screw of the screw lid Cp. While holding the pipe body Tm lightly by hand, the horizontal rotary plate 133 is rotated in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 8 in the clockwise direction when viewed from above, or more than the number of turns of the female screw of the screw cap Cp. Rotate. Thereby, the screw lid Cp rotates in the screw tightening direction with respect to the tube main body Tm, and is fastened to the mouth of the tube main body Tm as shown in FIG. When the tube main body Tm is directly pulled down by hand, the centrifuge tube Tc is taken out from the lid attaching portion 137a in a state where the screw lid Cp is fastened to the mouth portion.

  15 and 16 schematically show another modified example of the screw cap attaching / detaching device for a centrifuge tube provided with a lid holding hole inner diameter adjusting mechanism different from the first embodiment. The screw lid attaching / detaching device 161 of the present modification is different from the modification of FIG. 8 in the configuration of the lid attaching portions 162a and 162b provided at both ends of the horizontal rotating plate 133. The other configuration is the same as that of the modified example of FIG.

  As in the above-described embodiments, the lid attaching portions 162a and 162b are each provided with two types of different sizes that are integrally projected downward on the lower surfaces of both ends of the horizontal rotating plate 133. The lid attaching portions 162a and 162b are each substantially in the shape of a short cylinder, and lid holding holes 163a and 163b are formed on the lower surfaces thereof. Since the lid attaching parts 162a and 162b have substantially the same configuration except that the dimensions are different, the lid attaching part having a large size is exemplarily shown in FIGS. 17 (a), (b) and FIG. The unit 162a will be described.

  The lid attaching part 162a includes a bottomed short cylindrical outer cylinder member 164a. The outer cylinder member 164a is fixed to the horizontal rotating plate integrally by arranging the opening downward and screwing the upper bottom plate portion to the lower surface of the horizontal rotating plate 133. Inside the outer cylinder member 164a, a lid holding member 165a is mounted immediately inside from the lower end opening. The lid holding member 165a is an elastically deformable elastomer material and is formed in a hollow ring shape having a smooth surface. In another embodiment, the lid holding member 165a can be filled with a liquid or semi-solid fluid, or can be formed of a solid ring member.

  An annular plate member 166a is integrally screwed to the lower end of the outer cylinder member 164a. The annular plate member 166a has an inner peripheral edge extending radially inward from the lower end opening of the outer cylindrical member 164a, and is supported from below while preventing the lid holding member 165a from coming off on the upper surface of the inner peripheral edge. doing. The width of the inner peripheral edge of the annular plate member 166a is such that the lid holding member 148a is sufficiently visible inside the annular plate member 166a when the lid holding hole 163a is viewed from below as shown in FIG. It is set as follows.

  Furthermore, a bottomed short cylindrical press adjusting member 167a is disposed on the lid holding member 165a inside the outer cylinder member 164a. The pressure adjusting member 167a is provided so that its opening faces downward and the bottom plate portion faces upward, and its outer peripheral surface is slidable in the axial direction, that is, in the vertical direction along the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member 164a. The cylindrical portion of the pressure adjusting member 167a has its lower end always in contact with the upper portion of the lid holding member 165a and restricts the lid holding member from moving in the axial direction between the annular plate member 166a.

  The pressure adjusting member 167a is formed in a conical shape with the lower end of the cylindrical portion facing downward. With this conical shape, when the upper part of the lid holding member 165a is pressed downward at the lower end of the cylindrical part, as shown in FIG. 17A, the upper part of the lid holding member has its radially outer part facing upward. Transforms into Thereby, the whole or a part of the lid holding member 165a is pushed out inward in the radial direction by the downward pressing force of the pressing adjusting member 167a, and is prevented from falling off from a predetermined position in the outer cylinder member 164a.

  Two guide rods 168a and 168b pass through the bottom plate portion of the pressure adjusting member 167a so as to be slidable in the axial direction. The upper ends of the guide rods 168a and 168b are integrally fixed to the bottom plate portion of the outer cylinder member 164a with screws. Stopper members 169a and 169b made of small disks are integrally fixed to the lower ends of the guide rods 168a and 168b with screws.

  The stopper members 169a and 169b are horizontally disposed in the cylindrical portion of the pressure adjusting member 167a with a certain gap between the inner peripheral surface. The stopper members 169a and 169b are disposed at substantially the same height as the upper end of the lid holding member 165a, and define the depth of the lid holding hole 138a in the same manner as the stopper member 126a of the first embodiment. Thereby, the upper limit height position of the lid of the centrifuge tube inserted into the lid holding hole 163a is determined.

  The lower ends of the adjusting screws 170a and 170b penetrating the bottom plate portion of the horizontal rotating plate 133 and the outer cylinder member 164a are in contact with the upper surface of the bottom plate portion of the pressing adjustment member 167a. A male screw is formed on the front end side of the adjusting screws 170a and 170b at a portion that penetrates the bottom plate portion of the outer cylinder member 164a. The horizontal rotating plate 133 is formed with through holes 171a and 171b into which the adjusting screws 170a and 170b can be loosely inserted. The bottom plate portion of the outer cylinder member 164a is provided with a female screw that is screwed to the male screw of the adjusting screws 170a and 170b. The formed screw holes 172a and 172b are penetrated.

  FIG. 17A shows a state in which the lower end of the cylindrical portion of the press adjusting member 167a is in contact with the upper end of the lid holding member 165a without pressing. With the state of FIG. 17A as a reference position, when the adjustment screws 170a and 170b arranged on the upper surface of the horizontal rotating plate 133 are twisted with fingers and the adjustment screws are screwed in, the tip of the adjustment screws descends. As shown in FIG. 18, the pressing adjustment member 167a is pushed down. As a result, the lid holding member 165a is compressed up and down with the annular plate member 166a, the inner peripheral wall portion thereof is elastically deformed radially inward, and the inner diameter of the lid holding hole 138a is as shown in FIG. The inner diameter R1 at the reference position decreases from the adjusted inner diameter R2 in FIG. The inner diameter adjustment width of the lid holding hole 138a is set according to the outer diameter of the lid of the centrifuge tube used as in the case of the first embodiment.

  The procedure for attaching / detaching the screw lid from the centrifuge tube using the screw lid attaching / detaching device 161 is the same as that of the first embodiment and the modification of FIG. The screw lid attaching / detaching device 161 is used in a state where the upper end of the vertical rod 134 is fixed to an external mounting portion using an appropriate fastener, and the horizontal rotating plate 133 is suspended so as to be arranged horizontally.

  When removing the screw cap Cp from the commercially available 50 ml centrifuge tube Tc, as shown in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, hold the tube body Tm of the centrifuge tube with one hand and hold the screw cap Cp on the lid attachment portion 162a. The hole 163a is inserted from below. As shown in FIG. 19, the centrifuge tube Tc is inserted so that the outer peripheral surface of the screw lid Cp is elastically deformed and engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding member 165a. When the engagement between the screw lid Cp and the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding member 165a is insufficient, the adjustment screw 170a is tightened to adjust the inner diameter of the lid holding hole.

  Next, while holding the tube main body Tm with one hand, the number of turns of the female screw of the screw cap Cp in the direction of arrow A in FIG. Rotate beyond that. Since the screw cap Cp of the centrifuge tube Tc rotates in the loosening direction with respect to the tube main body Tm and is completely released from the mouth portion, as shown in FIG. 20, the hand is straightened while holding the tube main body Tm. When lowered, it is removed while remaining in the lid holding hole 163a.

  When the screw lid Cp in the lid holding hole 163a is fastened to the tube main body Tm again, the tube main body Tm is held with one hand, and as shown in FIG. The male screw is inserted straight up to a height position matching the female screw of the screw lid Cp. While holding the tube body Tm lightly by hand, the horizontal rotating plate 133 is rotated in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 15 in the clockwise direction as viewed from above, or more than the number of turns of the female screw of the screw cap Cp. Rotate. Thereby, the screw lid Cp rotates in the screw tightening direction with respect to the tube main body Tm, and is fastened to the mouth of the tube main body Tm as shown in FIG. When the tube main body Tm is pulled straight down by hand, the centrifuge tube Tc is taken out from the lid attaching portion 162a in a state where the screw lid Cp is fastened to the mouth portion.

  21 and 22 schematically show a second embodiment of the screw cap attaching / detaching device for a centrifuge tube to which the present invention is applied. The screw lid attaching / detaching device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a base 2 made of a relatively small-diameter disk and a circular truncated conical circular plate 3 having a low top surface. A columnar pivot 4 is projected downward from the center of the base 2. The circular rotating plate 3 is rotatably mounted on the lower portion of the pivot 4 via a mounting hub 5 and a bearing 6 fixed at the center of the upper end thereof.

  On the lower surface of the circular rotating plate 3, two lid attachment portions 7a, 7b of two different sizes are integrally projected downward. The lid attaching portions 7a and 7b are substantially short cylindrical, and lid holding holes 8a and 8b are formed on the lower surfaces thereof. The size of the lid attaching portions 7a and 7b is selected based on the outer diameter of the lid of the centrifuge tube to be used.

  FIG. 23 exemplarily shows one type (large size) of the lid attaching portion 7a. The lid holding hole 8a is tapered inward so that the axis thereof is parallel to the rotation axis 3a of the circular rotating plate 3, and the inner diameter thereof gradually decreases from the opening end to the hole depth, that is, upward. Consists of a circular hole. On the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding hole 8a, an uneven portion 9a continuous in the circumferential direction is formed over substantially the entire depth of the lid holding hole. The other type (small size) of the lid attaching portion 7b has substantially the same configuration except that its outer shape and the size of the lid insertion hole 8b are smaller than those of the lid attaching portion 7a. To do.

  The lid attaching portions 7a and 7b are alternately arranged at approximately equal intervals in different types at eccentric positions along the circumference around the rotation axis 3a of the circular rotating plate 3. Accordingly, when the circular rotating plate 3 is rotated, the lid attaching portions 7a and 7b revolve around the rotation axis 3a with respect to the circular rotating plate while rotating around the axis of the lid holding holes 8a and 8b, respectively. . The rotation and revolving motion of the lid attaching portion is guided by the circular rotating plate 3 and can be performed in both directions corresponding to the rotating direction of the circular rotating plate.

  The lid attaching portions 7a and 7b of the present embodiment are entirely formed of a resin material that can be elastically deformed, including the concave and convex portions 9a and 9b of the lid holding holes 8a and 8b. In another embodiment, only the inner peripheral portions of a certain thickness of the concave and convex portions 9a and 9b or the lid holding holes 8a and 8b including the concave and convex portions can be formed of an elastically deformable resin material.

  The procedure for attaching / detaching the screw lid from the centrifuge tube using the screw lid attaching / detaching device 1 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 22, the screw lid attaching / detaching device 1 horizontally fixes the base portion 2 to an externally fixed mounting portion Mt using an appropriate fastener such as a screw or a bolt. The base 2 can be fixed to a portable fixture. In this case, the screw lid attaching / detaching device 1 is used by fixing the fixture so that the base is horizontally arranged. In each of the following embodiments, it is assumed that the centrifuge tube has a right-handed male screw formed on the outer periphery of the mouth portion and a right-handed female screw screwed on the outer periphery of the lid.

  When removing the screw lid Cp from the centrifuge tube Tc, as shown in FIG. 24, the tube body Tm of the centrifuge tube is held with one hand, and the screw lid Cp is inserted into the lid holding hole 8a of the lid attaching portion 7a from below. The centrifuge tube Tc is inserted to a depth at which the screw lid Cp elastically deforms the concave and convex portions 9a on the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding hole 8a.

  This insertion position is set to such a depth that the screw lid Cp is not easily relatively rotated in the circumferential direction with respect to the lid holding hole 8a, and the centrifuge tube Tc is held in the lid holding hole even when the centrifuge tube Tc is released and does not fall naturally. It is preferable. Thereby, a high frictional force is generated in the engaging portion between the screw lid Cp and the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding hole 8a, and a torque necessary and sufficient to loosen or tighten the screw lid Cp from the tube body Tm can be exhibited. it can.

  Next, while holding the tube main body Tm with one hand, the circular rotating plate 3 is rotated in the direction of the arrow A in the figure, that is, counterclockwise when viewed from the upper side. Since the screw cap Cp of the centrifuge tube Tc is formed with a right-handed female screw on its inner peripheral surface, it rotates in the loosening direction with respect to the tube body Tm. Accordingly, the rotational speed of the circular rotary plate 3 is set to be equal to or greater than the number of turns of the female screw of the screw lid Cp. As a result, the screw lid Cp is completely released from the mouth portion of the tube body Tm. Therefore, when the screw lid Cp is lowered straight with a hand having the tube body Tm, the screw lid Cp is removed while being held in the lid holding hole 8a. It is.

  When the screw lid Cp held in the lid holding hole 8a is fastened again to the pipe main body Tm, the pipe main body Tm is held with one hand as shown in FIG. The male screw is inserted straight up to a height position matching the female screw of the screw lid Cp. While grasping the tube main body Tm lightly by hand, the circular rotating plate 3 is rotated in the clockwise direction as viewed from above in the direction of arrow B in the figure. Thereby, the screw lid Cp rotates in the screw tightening direction with respect to the tube main body Tm.

  The number of rotations of the circular rotating plate 3 is set to be equal to or greater than the number of turns of the female screw of the screw lid Cp, as in the case of removing the screw lid Cp described above. Since the screw lid Cp and the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding hole 8a are engaged with each other in a state capable of exerting a torque necessary and sufficient to fasten the screw lid to the tube body Tm, the screw lid Cp is engaged with the tube body Tm. It can be tightened to the mouth.

  When the tube body Tm is pulled straight down by hand, the centrifuge tube Tc can be taken out with the screw cap Cp fastened to the mouth. Thus, according to the screw lid attaching / detaching device 1, the screw lid Cp can be attached / detached from the centrifuge tube Tc held by one hand without using the other hand. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to touch the screw lid Cp at that time, contamination of the screw lid, the mouth portion of the tube main body Tm, and the inside thereof can be more effectively prevented.

  FIG. 25 schematically shows a third embodiment of the screw cap attaching / detaching device for a centrifuge tube according to the present invention. The screw lid attaching / detaching device 11 of the third embodiment includes a base portion 12 having a generally rectangular box shape elongated in the longitudinal direction, and a lid attaching member 13 movably attached to the base portion. On the lower surface of the base 12, a wide running groove 14 extending substantially over the entire length in the longitudinal direction is provided to move the lid attaching member 13 in the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B, the lid attaching member 13 includes a lid attaching portion 15 made of a short cylindrical body similar to the lid attaching portion 7a or 7b in FIG. 23 in the second embodiment. , And a moving part 16 formed integrally with the upper end of the lid attaching part. The moving part 16 is made of a disc having a diameter somewhat larger than that of the lid attaching part 15, and a gear 17 is formed on the outer periphery thereof. A small-diameter cylindrical protrusion 18 is integrally formed on the upper surface of the moving portion 16 at the center thereof.

  A lid holding hole 19 perpendicular to the lower surface is concentrically formed on the lower surface of the lid attaching portion 15. The lid holding hole 19 is formed of a circular hole tapered inward so that the inner diameter thereof gradually decreases from the opening end toward the hole depth, that is, upward. On the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding hole 19, an uneven portion 20 continuous in the circumferential direction is formed over substantially the entire depth of the lid holding hole.

  The lid attaching member 13 is formed of a resin material that can be elastically deformed, at least, the concave / convex portion 20 of the lid attaching portion 15, an inner peripheral portion having a certain thickness of the lid holding hole 19 including the concave / convex portion, or the entirety thereof. be able to. It is preferable that the moving part 16 forms at least the gear 17 with a metal or a hard resin material.

  As shown in FIG. 26 (a), the traveling groove 14 having a rectangular cross section defined inside the base portion 12 has a narrow guide corresponding to the outer diameter of the columnar protrusion 18 of the lid attaching member 13 on the upper surface thereof. The groove 21 is recessed in a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the running groove 14 over substantially the entire length. Support plates 22 and 23 are attached to the lower surface of the base 12 along both side edges of the running groove 14, respectively. The support plates 22 and 23 extend so that the narrow inner side portions 22 a and 23 a face each other toward the inner side of the running groove 14.

  A rack 24 that can mesh with the gear 17 of the moving portion 16 is formed on one inner surface of the running groove 14 along the longitudinal direction. As shown in the figure, the rack 24 is provided by joining an elongated plate-shaped rack member having rack teeth formed on one side thereof to the inner side surface of the traveling groove 14. In another embodiment, desired rack teeth can be directly formed on the inner surface of the running groove 14.

  The lid attaching member 13 is mounted on the base 12 with the moving portion 16 disposed in the traveling groove 14 and the lid attaching portion 15 protruding downward from the traveling groove 14. As shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B, the moving unit 16 engages the gear 17 with the rack 24 and fits the protrusion 18 into the guide groove 21, thereby making a step with the lid attaching unit 15. The portion 16a is placed on the upper surfaces of the inner side portions 22a and 23a of the support plates 22 and 23. Thereby, the lid attaching member 13 can be linearly moved in both directions along the longitudinal direction of the running groove 14 while rotating the lid attaching member 13 around the central axis of the lid holding hole 19.

  A procedure for attaching / detaching the screw lid from the centrifuge tube using the screw lid attaching / detaching device 11 will be described below. Similarly, the screw lid attaching / detaching device 11 uses the base 12 fixed horizontally to a fixed attachment or a portable attachment.

  When removing the screw lid Cp from the centrifuge tube Tc, the tube body Tm of the centrifuge tube is held with one hand, and the screw lid Cp is inserted into the lid holding hole 19 of the lid attaching member 13 from below. In the centrifuge tube Tc, as shown in FIGS. 27A and 8, the screw lid Cp is engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding hole 19 by elastically deforming the concavo-convex portion 20, and the screw lid is the lid holding hole. 19 is inserted to a depth that does not easily rotate in the circumferential direction with respect to 19 and is held without falling naturally even when the centrifuge tube Tc is released. As a result, a high frictional force is generated in the engaging portion between the screw lid Cp and the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding hole 19, and the torque necessary and sufficient for attaching and detaching the screw lid to the tube body Tm is exhibited. Can do.

  Next, while holding the tube main body Tm with one hand, the centrifuge tube Tc and the lid attaching member 13 are linearly moved along the traveling groove 14 in the direction of the arrow C with one hand. Accordingly, the lid attaching member 13 rotates counterclockwise while the stepped portion 16a of the moving portion 16 slides on the inner side portions 22a and 23a of the support plates 22 and 23. The screw lid Cp rotates in the loosening direction with respect to the tube main body Tm integrally with the lid attaching member 13 by engagement with the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding hole 19.

  The amount of movement of the lid attaching member 13 in the direction of arrow C is determined so that the number of rotations is equal to or greater than the number of turns of the female screw of the screw lid Cp. As a result, the screw lid Cp is completely released from the mouth portion of the tube main body Tm. Therefore, as shown in the right half of FIG. It is removed while being held in

  When the screw lid Cp held in the lid holding hole 19 is fastened to the pipe body Tm again, the pipe body Tm held with one hand is inserted into the lid holding hole 19 from below as shown in the right half of FIG. Is inserted straight up to a height where the male screw is aligned with the female screw of the screw cap Cp. When the pipe body Tm and the lid attaching member 13 are linearly moved in the direction of the arrow D in the drawing while holding the pipe body Tm lightly by hand, the screw lid Cp is screwed with respect to the pipe body Tm. Rotate to.

  The amount of movement of the lid attaching member 13 in the direction of arrow D is set to be equal to or greater than the number of turns of the female screw of the screw lid Cp, as in the case of removing the screw lid Cp. As a result, the screw lid Cp is fastened to the mouth of the tube main body Tm. When the tube main body Tm is pulled straight down by hand, the centrifuge tube Tc is taken out with the screw lid Cp fastened to the mouth. Thus, according to the screw lid attaching / detaching device 11, the screw lid Cp can be attached and detached without using the other hand while holding the centrifuge tube Tc with one hand, and at that time, the screw lid Cp and the tube main body Tm Contamination of the mouth and the inside can be effectively prevented.

  29 and 30 schematically show a fourth embodiment of the screw cap attaching / detaching device for a centrifuge tube according to the present invention. The screw lid attaching / detaching device 31 according to the fourth embodiment includes a base portion 32 having a rectangular cross section elongated in the vertical direction, and a lid attaching member 33 disposed below the base portion.

  The lid attaching member 33 has a lid attaching portion 34 made of a short cylindrical body similar to the lid attaching portion 15 of the third embodiment. A lid holding hole 35 perpendicular to the lower surface is formed concentrically on the lower surface of the lid attaching portion 34. The lid holding hole 35 is a circular hole tapered inward so that its inner diameter gradually decreases from the opening end toward the hole depth, that is, upward. On the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding hole 35, an uneven portion 36 continuous in the circumferential direction is formed over substantially the entire depth of the lid holding hole.

  A cylindrical guide shaft 37 having a smaller diameter and a longer diameter is integrally provided on the upper surface of the lid attaching portion 34. On the outer peripheral surface of the guide shaft 37, two spiral cam grooves 38a and 38b are recessed so as to be axially symmetrical along the axial direction. At the upper end of the guide shaft 37, a small spherical engaging projection 39 is integrally projected at the center.

  The lid attaching member 33 is formed of a resin material capable of elastic deformation at least the uneven portion 36 of the lid attaching portion 34, the inner peripheral portion of a certain thickness of the lid holding hole 35 including the uneven portion, or the entirety thereof. be able to. The guide shaft 37 is preferably formed with at least the gear 17 made of metal or a hard resin material.

  As shown in FIG. 30, the base portion 32 is formed with a guide hole 40 having a circular cross section passing through the base portion 32 in the longitudinal direction, that is, the vertical direction. The guide hole 40 is formed to have substantially the same diameter as the guide shaft so that the guide shaft 37 of the lid attaching member 33 can slide in the axial direction. On the inner peripheral surface of the guide hole 40, two cam pins 41a and 41b project from the axial center toward the axial center. The cam pins 41 a and 41 b are provided by screwing two pin members 42 a and 42 b into the guide hole 40 from the outer surface of the base portion 32 as shown in the figure, for example.

  The lid attaching member 33 is attached to the base 12 by fitting cam pins 41a and 41b corresponding to the cam grooves 38a and 38b, respectively, and inserting the guide shaft 37 into the guide hole 40 from below. Accordingly, the lid attaching member 33 can be moved in the vertical direction along the axial direction of the guide hole 40 while rotating around the central axis of the lid holding hole 35.

  An attachment portion 43 for attaching the screw lid attaching / detaching device 31 to the outside is provided at the upper end of the base portion 32. At the lower end of the mounting portion 43, in order to engage and disengage the engagement protrusion 39, a plate-like engagement having an engagement hole that is partially opened in the radial direction so as to be deformable in the diameter increasing direction. A landing portion 44 is provided in a protruding manner. The attachment portion 43 is integrally coupled to the upper end of the base portion 32 by causing the engaging portion 44 to enter the guide hole 40 from the upper end thereof.

  A procedure for attaching / detaching the screw lid from the centrifuge tube using the screw lid attaching / detaching device 31 will be described below. Similarly, the screw lid attaching / detaching device 31 is used by fixing the base 32 vertically to the fixed attachment portion or the portable attachment device via the attachment portion 43.

  When removing the screw cap Cp from the centrifuge tube Tc, hold the tube main body Tm of the centrifuge tube with one hand and place the screw cap Cp into the lid holding hole 35 of the lid attachment member 33 from below as shown in FIG. Insert and push straight up. At that time, the screw lid Cp is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding hole 35 to elastically deform the concavo-convex portion 36 and engaged with the lid holding hole so as not to be relatively rotatable in the circumferential direction. As a result, a high frictional force is generated at the engaging portion between the screw lid Cp and the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding hole 35, and the torque necessary and sufficient for attaching and detaching the screw lid to the tube body Tm is exhibited. Can do.

  When the tube body Tm is pushed up with one hand as it is, the lid attaching member 33 rotates counterclockwise while the guide shaft 37 rises along the guide hole 40. Thereby, the screw lid Cp rotates in the loosening direction with respect to the tube main body Tm integrally with the lid attaching portion 34 by engagement with the inner peripheral surface of the lid holding hole 35. The lid attaching member 33 is pushed up to a height at which the engaging protrusion 39 at the upper end of the guide shaft 37 is fitted into the engaging hole of the engaging portion 44 at the upper end of the guide hole 40.

  The cam grooves 38a and 38b of the guide shaft 37 are set in advance so that the number of rotations of the lid attaching member 33 while it rises to this height is equal to or greater than the number of turns of the female screw of the screw lid Cp. . Thereby, the screw lid Cp is completely released from the mouth portion of the tube body Tm when the lid attaching member 33 is pushed up to the height. Therefore, when the tube body Tm is lowered straight with a hand, the removed screw lid Cp is held in the lid holding hole 35 by engagement with the concavo-convex portion 36.

  When the screw lid Cp held in the lid holding hole 35 is fastened to the pipe body Tm again, the pipe body Tm held with one hand is inserted into the lid holding hole 35 from below as shown in FIG. Is inserted straight up to a height where the male screw is aligned with the female screw of the screw cap Cp. The lid attaching member 13 is pushed up a little by hand through the tube main body Tm to release the engaging protrusion 39 from the engaging hole of the engaging portion 44, and at the same time, the male screw of the mouth portion is changed to the female screw of the screw lid Cp. The lid attaching member 33 is lowered by its own weight while being aligned.

  As the lid attachment member 33 is lowered, the screw lid Cp rotates in the screw tightening direction with respect to the tube main body Tm together with the lid attachment portion 34. When the lid attaching member 33 is rotated by the same amount as that at the time of removing the lid, the screw lid Cp is fastened to the mouth portion of the tube main body Tm. When the pipe body Tm is pulled straight down as it is, the centrifuge tube Tc is taken out in a state where the screw lid Cp is released from the engagement with the lid holding hole 35 and tightened.

  As described above, according to the screw lid attaching / detaching device 31, the screw lid Cp can be attached and detached without using the other hand while holding the centrifuge tube Tc with one hand, and at that time, the screw lid Cp and the tube main body Tm Contamination of the mouth and the inside can be effectively prevented. Furthermore, since the screw lid attaching / detaching device 31 is elongated in the vertical direction and only moves the centrifuge tube Tc up and down, the installation space and the operation space can be reduced.

  In another embodiment of the fourth embodiment, a compression spring is interposed between the upper end of the lid attachment member 33 in the base portion 32 and the lower end of the attachment portion 43. The downward biasing force of the compression spring acts as a drag force when the centrifuge tube Tc is pushed up when the screw cover Cp is removed. Since the lid attaching member 33 is pushed down, the rotation in the screw tightening direction can be easily and smoothly performed.

  32 and 33 schematically show a fifth embodiment of the screw cap attaching / detaching device for a centrifuge tube according to the present invention. The screw lid attaching / detaching device 51 of the fifth embodiment includes a rectangular box-like base portion 52 elongated in the longitudinal direction. On the lower surface of the base portion 52, a wide running groove 53 extending in the longitudinal direction over almost the entire length is formed. At one longitudinal end face of the base 52, the end of the running groove 53 opens, and an insertion hole 54 for inserting the screw lid portion of the centrifuge tube Tc sideways is defined.

  On one inner surface of the running groove 53, an elastic member 55 that is elastically deformable in the thickness direction is provided over substantially the entire length of the running groove. On the other inner surface of the running groove 53, a strip-shaped leaf spring member 56 extending over substantially the entire length is provided so as to face the elastic member 55. The leaf spring member 56 is curved so that one end portion 56a is fixed in the vicinity of the insertion hole 54 and the distance from the elastic member 55 becomes narrower from the one end portion toward the other end portion, that is, the inner side of the running groove 53. doing. Along the longitudinal direction of the traveling groove 53, the distance between the leaf spring member 56 and the elastic member 55 is larger on the insertion hole 54 side than the outer diameter of the screw lid Cp of the centrifuge tube Tc to be used. Set to a smaller value.

  Support plates 57 and 58 are attached to the lower surface of the base portion 52 along both side edges of the running groove 53, respectively. The support plates 57 and 58 extend so that the narrow inner side portions 57 a and 58 a face each other toward the inner side of the running groove 53. The space | interval of the inner side parts 57a and 58a which oppose is set smaller than the outer diameter of the screw cover Cp of the centrifuge tube Tc to be used, and larger than the outer diameter of the pipe | tube main body Tm.

  The procedure for attaching / detaching the screw lid from the centrifuge tube using the screw lid attaching / detaching device 51 will be described below. As in the third embodiment, the screw lid attaching / detaching device 51 is used by fixing the base 52 horizontally to a fixed attachment portion or a portable attachment.

  When removing the screw cap Cp from the centrifuge tube Tc, hold the tube body Tm of the centrifuge tube with one hand, and place the screw cap Cp in the running groove 53 of the lid attaching member 53 via the insertion hole 54 as shown in FIG. Insert from the side. The centrifuge tube Tc is sent by hand to the depth of the travel groove 53 against the urging force of the leaf spring member 56. Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the screw lid Cp is pressed against the elastic member 55 on the opposite side by the leaf spring member 56, and elastically deforms the elastic member.

  Next, the tube body Tm is rotated counterclockwise, that is, loosened by hand. At this time, the screw lid Cp is held integrally with the elastic member without rotating together with the tube main body Tm by the static friction force generated at the engaging portion with the elastic member 55. When the tube body Tm is rotated to the number of turns or more of the female screw of the screw lid Cp, the screw lid Cp is completely released from the mouth of the tube body Tm. Accordingly, when the tube body Tm is directly lowered with the hand, the screw lid Cp is removed while being held in the travel groove 53 between the elastic member 55 and the leaf spring member 56.

  When the screw lid Cp held in the lid holding hole 19 is fastened again to the tube main body Tm, the tube main body Tm held with one hand is inserted into the screw lid Cp held in the running groove 53 from below, and the female screw of the screw lid Cp. And insert it straight up to the height where the male screw of the mouth is aligned. When the tube main body Tm is rotated clockwise, that is, in the screw tightening direction while grasping the tube main body Tm so as to be slightly pushed up by hand, the screw lid Cp is tightened to the tube main body Tm.

  As in the case of removing the screw lid Cp, the screw lid Cp can be fastened to the mouth of the tube main body Tm by rotating the tube main body Tm to the number of turns or more of the female screw of the screw lid. When the tube main body Tm is directly pulled out from the insertion hole 54 along the running groove 53 by hand, the centrifuge tube Tc is taken out with the screw cap Cp fastened to the mouth. Thus, according to the screw lid attaching / detaching device 51, the screw lid Cp can be attached and detached without using the other hand while holding the centrifuge tube Tc with one hand, and at that time, the screw lid Cp and the tube body Tm can be attached. It is possible to effectively prevent contamination of the mouth portion and the inside.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the lid holding member or the lid mounting member of the lid mounting portion is formed of an elastically deformable material so that the inner surface having elasticity is engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the screw lid, A frictional force is generated between the outer peripheral surface and the torque necessary and sufficient to loosen or tighten the screw cap with respect to the tube body of the centrifuge tube. However, the inner surface of the lid holding member or the lid attaching member is limited to one having elasticity as long as it can be engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the screw lid so that the screw lid is held in a relatively non-rotatable manner. Various configurations different from that are possible. This is because, for example, a high friction material or a highly adhesive material is used for the inner surface, the inner surface is formed in a form that enhances adhesion to the outer surface of the screw lid, or the outer surface of the screw lid is tightened from the outside in the radial direction. It can also be realized by configuring.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated in relation to preferred embodiment, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, In the technical scope, it can implement by adding various change or deformation | transformation. Needless to say.

1, 11, 31, 51, 101, 131, 161 Screw lid attaching / detaching device 2, 12, 32, 52, 102, 132 Base 3, 103, 133 Rotating plates 7a, 7b, 15, 34, 107a, 107b, 137a, 137b Lid attaching portions 8a, 8b, 19, 35, 108a, 108b, 138a, 138b Lid holding holes 9a, 9b, 20, 36, 125a, 125b, 149a, 149b Uneven portions 13, 33 Lid attaching members 14, 53 Traveling groove 16 Moving portion 17 Gear 24 Rack 37 Guide shaft 38a, 38b Cam groove 41a, 41b Cam pin 55 Elastic member 56 Leaf spring member 124a, 124b, 148a, 148b, 165a, 165b Lid holding member

Claims (8)

A device for attaching and detaching a screw lid to the mouth of a container body,
The base,
A lid attaching portion having an inner surface that engages with an outer peripheral portion of the screw lid and holds the screw lid so that the screw lid can be removed and cannot rotate relative to the axis.
A screw for a container provided with a guide mechanism that attaches the lid attaching portion so as to be rotatable in both directions around the axis of the screw lid, and guides the lid attaching portion to reciprocate relative to the base while rotating the lid attaching portion. Lid attaching / detaching device.   The said guide mechanism consists of the pivot fixed to the said base side, and the rotation member which was provided in the said pivot so that rotation was possible, and attached the said lid attaching part to the eccentric position regarding the rotation center. The screw lid attaching / detaching device for a container according to the item 1.   2. The screw lid attaching / detaching device for a container according to claim 1, wherein the guide mechanism includes a gear provided on an outer periphery of the lid attaching portion and a rack fixed to the base side and meshing with the gear.   The guide mechanism includes one of a cam that rotates integrally with the lid attaching portion around the axis of the screw lid or a cam follower that follows the cam, and the cam follower that is fixed to the base side or the cam The screw lid attaching / detaching device for a container according to claim 1, comprising the other.   The screw lid attaching / detaching device for a container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inner surface of the lid attaching portion has elasticity.   The screw lid attaching / detaching device for a container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner surface of the lid attaching portion has an uneven portion that is continuous in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the screw lid.   The container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inner surface of the lid attaching portion is inclined so as to be reduced in diameter in the direction opposite to the screwing direction along the axial direction of the screw lid. Screw cover attachment / detachment device.   The screw lid attaching / detaching device for a container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lid attaching portion is deformable inward in the radial direction.

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