JP2018065591A - Label sticking device and test tube preparation device with label sticking device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To propose a label sticking device which is able to stick identification label correctly on required position of the test tube even after it has been used repeatedly over a long period.SOLUTION: During rotation of test tube, it measures the time of detecting interval t which detects the side end edge of preliminary label stuck on the test tube, and based on the detecting interval t, the timing s for sending out the identification label to the label position is controlled, and the identification label can be stuck on the blood collecting tube's required position so that it overlaps the preliminary label and leaves the non-sticking area as it is. With this configuration, the identification label can be correctly and stably stuck onto the required position by controlling the timing s for sending out identification label based on the detecting interval whose time is measured, even with tear and wear of machine parts after relatively long time of repeated use.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a label sticking device for sticking an identification label to a test tube containing a sample collected in medical treatment or examination, and a test tube preparation device provided with the label sticking device.

  When collecting specimens at hospitals, medical institutions, universities, etc., test tubes that contain the specimens are used. In order to organize the collected specimens, the test tubes are used to identify each specimen. An identification label is affixed. For example, an identification label on which identification information such as a patient and a test item is printed is attached to a test tube (blood collection tube) used for blood collection of the patient. On the other hand, a test label used for collecting such a specimen is usually preliminarily pasted on the outer surface with a preliminary label on which information such as a serial number of the test tube is printed. Further, the test tube is provided with a non-sticking part to which a preliminary label is not attached along the longitudinal direction so that the specimen accommodated in the test tube can be visually recognized from the outside. Therefore, when applying the identification label to the test tube with the preliminary label, the identification label is applied to the preliminary label so that the non-sticking portion remains after the identification label is applied. I am doing so. As a device for attaching such an identification label to a test tube, for example, configurations of Patent Documents 1 and 2 have been proposed.

  The label overlapping device of Patent Document 1 includes a sensor that detects an edge of a preliminary label that is previously attached to a test tube, and a sensor that detects an edge of an identification label issued from the label issuing device. The identification label is issued from the label issuing device so that the edge of the identification label coincides with the detected edge of the spare label. According to such an apparatus, the identification label can be overlaid and pasted on the spare label while leaving the non-pasting portion of the test tube.

  On the other hand, the label sticking device of Patent Document 2 includes a sensor that detects an edge of a preliminary label that is previously stuck to a test tube, and information on the edge of the spare label detected by the sensor and diameter information of the test tube. Based on the above, the label printer and the rotating device of the test tube are driven and controlled so that the identification label is stuck on the spare label while leaving the non-sticking portion. That is, the test tube is rotated, the edge of the spare label is detected by the sensor, and the edge of the identification label supplied from the label printer is detected from the detected information and the diameter information of the test tube. The test tube rotation device is driven and controlled to coincide with the edge. Even in such an apparatus, similarly to the configuration of Patent Document 1 described above, the identification label can be overlaid and pasted on the spare label while leaving the non-pasted portion of the test tube.

Japanese Patent No. 45912166 Japanese Patent No. 5303642

  By the way, the above-described configuration of Patent Document 1 uses a sensor that detects an end of a spare label attached to a test tube and a sensor that detects an end of an identification label issued from a label issuing device. For this reason, there is a problem that the size of the apparatus increases due to the location of each sensor. In addition, some test tubes have different outer diameters. However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, since test tubes having different outer diameters are not considered at all, the test tubes having different outer diameters from the test tubes normally used are not considered. When a tube is used, there is a problem that the end portion of the identification label is attached with being shifted from the end portion of the spare label.

  On the other hand, the configuration of Patent Document 2 described above can solve the problems of Patent Document 1. That is, the configuration of Patent Document 2 does not require a sensor for detecting the end portion of the identification label, and the end portion of the preliminary label is identified based on the end portion information of the spare label detected by the sensor and the diameter information of the test tube. Since the end of the label is made to coincide, the enlargement of the apparatus can be suppressed, and even with a test tube having a different outer diameter, the end of the spare label and the end of the identification label The identification label can be affixed accurately.

  However, since the label sticking device of Patent Document 2 repeatedly performs the operation of sticking the identification label to the test tube, when used for a relatively long period of time, the end of the identification label and the spare label There is a problem in that the position with respect to the end portion is displaced, and further, this displacement is gradually increased. This is a configuration in which a general label sticking device supports a test tube by a support roller that makes contact with the outer peripheral surface of the test tube and a rotation roller, and rotates in the circumferential direction by the rotation of the rotation roller. Therefore, repeated use over a relatively long period of time causes the elasticity of the surface of the support roller and the rotating roller to decline, and mechanical parts that rotate the rotating roller wear out, so that the support position of the test tube This is due to the deviation. Furthermore, the wear of the above-described mechanical parts causes the rotation speed of the test tube to be stably controlled, and thus causes a misalignment between the end of the identification label and the end of the spare label. It was a trend.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and a label sticking device capable of sticking an identification label to a desired position of a test tube accurately even after repeated use over a long period of time, and the label sticking device are provided. The proposed test tube preparation device is proposed.

  The present invention provides a substantially rectangular shape in which identification information about medical care and examination is printed on a test tube in which a preliminary label is previously attached to the outer peripheral surface and a non-sticking portion to which the preliminary label is not attached along the longitudinal direction is provided. In a label affixing device for affixing an identification label having a shape on top of the spare label, the identification label is printed on the identification label with information printing means for printing the identification information, and supporting the test tube, and the test tube in the circumferential direction. Rotating support means for rotating, label sending means for sending the identification label printed by the information printing means to a label attaching position for attaching to the outer surface of the test tube supported by the rotating support means, and the rotation supporting means A drive control means for controlling the rotation of the test tube and the delivery of the identification label by the label delivery means; and the circumference of the spare label of the test tube rotated by the rotation support means. A sensor for detecting one side edge in the direction, and a rotation interval measuring means for measuring the detection interval of the one side edge of the spare label by the sensor during rotation of the test tube, The drive control means is configured such that, during rotation of the test tube by the rotation support means, the identification label is affixed on the preliminary label of the test tube based on the detection interval measured by the circulation interval measurement means. The label sticking apparatus is characterized in that the timing for feeding the identification label to the label sticking position is controlled so that the sticking part remains.

  Here, the remaining of the non-sticking part includes not only that the whole non-sticking part provided by sticking the preliminary label remains but also that the non-sticking part is partially covered with the identification label. . In the latter case, the non-sticking portion of the identification label sticking portion may remain in a form along the longitudinal direction of the test tube so that the specimen stored in the test tube can be visually recognized.

  In such a configuration, the timing for sending the identification label to the label affixing position is controlled based on the detection interval of one side edge of the spare label, and the detection interval is measured for each test tube. Therefore, the optimum timing according to each test tube can be measured. Here, the detection interval of one side edge of the spare label corresponds to the time required for one rotation of the test tube. Therefore, by measuring the detection interval for each test tube, it is possible to obtain test tubes having different outer diameters. However, the timing according to each can be measured. Therefore, according to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to apply the identification label accurately and stably to a desired position where even a test tube having a different outer diameter is stacked on the spare label and the non-sticking portion remains. it can. In addition, the label sticking device of the present invention can be used for a relatively long period of time, so that even if the above-mentioned mechanical parts are worn, the detection interval of one side edge of the spare label in the worn state is reduced. From the measurement, the optimal timing according to the wear state can be measured. Therefore, according to the configuration of the present invention, even if the support position of the test tube is shifted or the rotation speed of the test tube is changed, the identification label can be accurately and stably applied to the desired position. For example, even when the rotation speed of the test tube by the rotation support means is appropriately set and changed according to the usage environment at the site where the label sticking device of the present invention is used, the identification label is accurately And it can be applied stably.

  In addition, since the configuration of the present invention only needs to include a sensor for detecting one side edge of the spare label, the conventional sensor for detecting the spare label and the sensor for detecting the identification label described above are provided. It is possible to solve the problem of an increase in the size of the apparatus that occurs in a configuration that requires this sensor. Further, the configuration of the present invention controls the timing of sending out the identification label so that the identification label is laminated on the spare label and bonded so that the non-sticking portion remains, and this is a label sending means. It falls under control. Therefore, this configuration simplifies the process for driving control compared to the conventional configuration for driving and controlling both the label printer and the rotating device based on the diameter information of the test tube described above. There is also an advantage that the burden on the equipment required for processing can be reduced.

  In the label sticking device of the present invention described above, the identification label has a substantially rectangular shape whose lateral width along the circumferential direction of the test tube is shorter than the outer peripheral length of the test tube. During the rotation of the test tube by the rotation support means, based on the detection interval measured by the circulation interval measurement means, the spare side edge of the identification label sent to the label application position is detected by the sensor of the rotation interval measurement means A configuration is proposed in which the timing for sending out the identification label to the label application position is controlled so that the label is attached to the side edge of the label. Here, the substantially coincidence between the sending-side edge of the identification label and the one-side edge of the spare label means that the sending-side edge and the one-side edge completely coincide with each other, and that both are slightly shifted. Including both. For example, it is included in the substantially coincidence of the present invention that the sending side edge of the identification label is pasted with the position slightly shifted from the one side edge of the spare label.

  In such a configuration, the identification label whose width is shorter than the outer circumference of the test tube is pasted so that its sending side edge is substantially coincident with one side edge of the spare label. The non-sticking part can remain reliably and stably in the test tube after the label is stuck.

  In the label sticking device of the present invention described above, the label sending means repeatedly performs the sending operation of sending the identification label from the standby position at a predetermined interval from the label sticking position to the label sticking position, The drive control means includes a timing at which one side edge of the preliminary label attached to the rotating test tube reaches the label application position, and a delivery side edge of the identification label sent from the standby position by the label delivery means. Based on the delivery time taken for the identification label to reach the label application position from the standby position and the detection interval measured by the circulation interval measurement means so that the timing at which the label application position reaches the label application position is substantially the same. A configuration is proposed in which the timing for sending out the identification label from the standby position is controlled by the label sending means.

  In such a configuration, since the sending time required for the identification label to reach the label attaching position from the standby position is determined, the timing for sending out the identification label is controlled based on the sending time and the detection interval. The sending side edge of the identification label and the one side edge of the preliminary label of the test tube are made to reach the label applying position almost simultaneously. In other words, according to this configuration, the identification label can be affixed to the test tube with the sending-side edge of the identification label substantially matching the one-side edge of the spare label with high accuracy.

  In the above-described label sticking device of the present invention, the winding interval measuring means is an optical sensor in which the sensor for detecting one side edge of the spare label is provided with a light emitting part and a light receiving part, and is rotated by the rotation support means. Detection that detects the preliminary label and the non-sticking portion of the test tube based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit by scanning the outer surface of the inner test tube along the circumferential direction with the optical sensor And when the amount of light received by the light receiving unit changes with respect to a reference light amount value indicating a spare label, a time from the start of the change to the return to the reference light amount value is less than a predetermined threshold value. If the value is smaller, a configuration including a canceling process for invalidating the change in the amount of light is proposed.

  In such a configuration, the spare label and the non-sticking portion are detected based on the amount of light received by the optical sensor, and the change in the amount of light detected during scanning on the spare label is invalidated. The one side edge of the label can be detected more accurately. More specifically, since the spare label is generally printed with characters, ruled lines, etc., this causes a change in the amount of received light. However, such a change in the amount of light at the printed site may occur instantaneously. From the above, it can be invalidated by cancellation processing. In this way, by invalidating the change in the amount of light at the printing site, the change in the amount of light at the boundary between the spare label and the non-pasted part can be manifested. More accurate and stable detection is possible. Therefore, according to this structure, the timing which sends out an identification label can be controlled more correctly.

  On the other hand, the present invention is provided with the above-described label sticking device, and houses a plurality of test tubes in which a substantially rectangular preliminary label is stuck on the outer peripheral surface in advance. A test tube preparation device comprising: a tube supply device that transports a test tube to a label sticking device and supplies the test tube to a support position supported by a rotation support means of the label sticking device.

  In such a configuration, the test tube is prepared by transferring the test tube from the storage device to the label applying device by the tube supply device, and attaching the identification label to the test tube. It is. And since the test-tube preparation apparatus of this invention is equipped with the label sticking apparatus mentioned above, it can show | play the effect mentioned above which arises by this label sticking apparatus. Further, even if this configuration is a configuration in which a plurality of types of test tubes having different outer diameters are accommodated in the accommodation device and any of the test tubes is selectively transferred by the tube supply device, the label affixing is performed. With the apparatus, the identification label can be accurately applied to a desired position of the supplied test tube at a desired position where it is overlapped on the spare label and the non-attachment portion remains.

  As described above, the label sticking device of the present invention is capable of sticking an identification label accurately and stably to a desired position where even a test tube having a different outer diameter is overlapped on a spare label and a non-sticking portion remains. can do. Furthermore, even if mechanical parts are worn due to use over a relatively long period of time, the identification label can be accurately pasted at a desired position where the non-sticking portion is left on the spare label. it can. Therefore, unlike the above-described conventional configuration, there is no problem such that the identification label sticking position is shifted due to wear of mechanical parts or the like.

  Moreover, since the test tube preparation device of the present invention includes the above-mentioned label sticking device, it can exhibit the same effects as the label sticking device. Furthermore, even in a configuration in which a plurality of types of test tubes having different outer diameters are selectively supplied to the label applicator, identification is made at a desired position where each test tube is overlapped on the spare label and the non-applied portion remains. Labels can be applied accurately.

It is a perspective view of the blood-collecting-tube preparation apparatus 1 of a present Example. It is a perspective view of the label sticking apparatus 6. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the label sticking apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the path | route which supplies the blood-collecting tube 101 to the label sticking apparatus 6. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the blood collection tube preparation device 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure which supports the blood collection tube 101 of the label sticking apparatus 6. FIG. (A) It is a perspective view which shows the blood collection tube 101 before sticking the identification label 105, and (B) the blood collection tube 101 to which the identification label 105 has been stuck. It is a perspective view showing a roll paper body 111 around which a label paper 112 is wound. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data which detected the blood-collecting blood tube in rotation with the optical sensor. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data before the cancellation process of the data which detected the preliminary | backup label, and the data after the (B) cancellation process. It is a flowchart which shows the sticking process of the identification label 105.

Embodiments of the present invention are described according to the following examples.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blood collection tube preparation device 1 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front side. The blood collection tube preparatory apparatus 1 includes a main body 2 that attaches an identification label 105 to a required blood collection tube 101 (see FIG. 7) and discharges it, and a label-attached blood collection tube 101 that is discharged from the main body 2 into a tray 121. And a providing unit 3 to be accommodated. In this embodiment, the blood collection tube preparation device 1 corresponds to a test tube preparation device according to the present invention, and the blood collection tube 101 corresponds to a test tube according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the blood collection tube 101 to which the identification label 105 is attached is referred to as label attached.

  The main body 2 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 4, and inside the housing 4, housing units 5 a and 5 b for housing the blood collection tube 101, and label sticking for pasting the identification label 105 to the blood collection tube 101. A plurality of devices 6 are accommodated. The housing units 5 a and 5 b and the label sticking device 6 are unitized and housed inside the housing 4. These storage units 5a, 5b and label applicator 6 are provided with front panels 9a, 9b, 9c, respectively, for concealing the interior in the storage state at the front. Further, a right side surface portion of the housing 4 is provided with a blood collection tube discharge port (not shown) for discharging the labeled blood collection tube 101, and the label affixed through the blood collection tube discharge port. The blood collection tube 101 is discharged to the providing unit 3 described above. Further, a monitor 8 for displaying various information is disposed on the housing 4.

  The providing unit 3 is installed adjacent to the right side of the main body unit 2, and the position of the main body unit 2 immediately below the right side of the above-described blood collection tube discharge port is set to the tray 121. It is set as the blood collection tube accommodation position P to be accommodated. The providing unit 3 includes a tray supply device 10 that supplies an empty tray 121 to the blood collection tube storage position P, a tray discharge device 11 that discharges the tray 121 that has already received the blood collection tube from the blood collection tube storage position P, and a blood collection tube 101. And a non-stick paper printer 13 that prints a printed matter that is not attached to the tray 121 and sends it to the tray 121. Specifically, the tray supply device 10 sends out empty trays 121 stacked in the tray accommodating portion 14 to the blood collection tube accommodating position P one by one by a delivery device (not shown). The tray discharge device 11 is a belt conveyor in the front-rear direction, and the empty tray 121 supplied from the tray supply device 10 onto the tray discharge device 11 is transferred to the blood collection tube storage position P by the tray discharge device 11. After the required blood collection tube 101 is accommodated, it is transferred from the blood collection tube accommodation position P to the front tray discharge position Q. Further, the non-adhesive paper printing device 13 is disposed above the blood collection tube accommodation position P, and is placed on the blood collection tube accommodation position P by printing and cutting a hand-attached label, a blood collection instruction, etc. Drop on the tray 121.

  In addition, a control device 7 (see FIG. 5) that controls the operation of the blood collection tube preparation device 1 is disposed below the providing unit 3. The control device 7 receives blood collection preparation information including information on the blood sample and the type of blood collection tube 101 used for blood collection from an external management system. When the blood collection preparation information is received, the control device 7 operates the labeling device 6 and the like. The required identification information indicated in the blood collection preparation information is printed on the identification label 105, the identification label 105 is affixed to the required blood collection tube 101, and the labeled blood collection tube 101 is attached to the above-mentioned blood collection tube discharge. Drain from the exit. At the same time, the control device 7 causes the empty tray 121 to stand by at the blood collection tube housing position P, and when the blood collection tubes 101 for one blood sampled person are housed in the tray 121, the control device 7 moves from the blood collection tube housing position P to the tray discharge position. The tray 121 is discharged to Q, and the empty tray 121 is supplied to the blood collection tube storage position P. Here, the identification information printed on the identification label 105 may include information such as the name and patient ID of the blood sample, information related to blood collection of the blood sample, and the like.

  As described above, the blood collection preparation device 1 attaches the identification label 105 printed with necessary identification information to the blood collection tube 101 used for blood collection based on the blood collection preparation information transmitted from the outside, and collects the blood sample. One blood collection tube 101 is accommodated in one tray 121. Since the basic configuration of the blood collection tube preparation device 1 is the same as a conventionally known configuration, detailed description thereof is omitted.

Next, the configuration of the main body 2 described above will be described in detail.
The above-described accommodation units 5a and 5b and the label attaching device 6 housed in the housing 4 of the main body 2 are unitized into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the front and rear directions as shown in FIG. Three label affixing devices 6 are accommodated side by side in the center of the housing 4, and one upper accommodating unit 5 a is disposed above each label affixing device 6. Further, one lower housing unit 5b is disposed below each label sticking device 6. Here, the lower storage unit 5b and the label sticking device 6 can be slid to the storage position completely stored in the housing 4 and the drawing position pulled forward from the storage position, respectively. By setting the drawing position, the operation of inserting the blood collection tube 101 into the lower housing unit 5b, the operation of replacing a roll paper body 111 (to be described later) in the label sticking device 6, and the like can be performed. Further, the casing 4 is provided with an opening / closing lid 17 for opening and closing the upper opening of the upper housing unit 5a immediately above each upper housing unit 5a. The operation of putting the blood collection tube 101 into the accommodation unit 5a can be performed.

  The upper accommodation unit 5a includes a single accommodation portion (not shown) that accommodates a large number of blood collection tubes 101, and a transfer mechanism 21 that takes out the blood collection tubes 101 one by one from the accommodation portion and transfers them to the labeling device 6. (Refer to FIG. 4). Further, the lower housing unit 5b collects a plurality of housing portions (not shown) for housing a large number of blood collection tubes 101 and a lifting mechanism 22 disposed behind each lower housing unit 5b from the housing portions. It has a transfer mechanism 23 that takes out the blood vessels 101 one by one and sends them out (see FIG. 4). Here, since the upper accommodation unit 5a includes a single accommodation portion, it accommodates one type of blood collection tube 101, while the lower accommodation unit 5b includes a plurality of compartments partitioned from each other. Therefore, different types of blood collection tubes 101 can be accommodated in the respective accommodating portions. The transfer mechanism 23 of the lower storage unit 5b selects the blood collection tube 101 from one of the storage units and transfers it to the lifting mechanism 22, and is driven and controlled by the control device 7 of the providing unit 3 described above. . Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the lifting mechanism 22 is disposed behind each of the lower accommodation units 5b arranged in the lateral direction, and the blood collection tube 101 delivered from the transfer mechanism 23 of each lower accommodation unit 5b. Are lifted upward one by one and transferred to the labeling device 6. Since the upper accommodation unit 5a, the lower accommodation unit 5b, and the feeding mechanism 22 can be applied with a conventionally known configuration, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the label sticking device 6 described above includes a roll holding unit 31 that holds a roll paper body 111 (see FIG. 8) obtained by winding the label paper 112 in a roll shape, and the roll paper body 111. A printing unit 32 for printing on each identification label 105 (see FIG. 8) of the label paper 112 drawn from the label paper 112, a pasting unit 33 for pasting the identification label 105 peeled off from the label paper 112 to the blood collection tube 101, and a label affixed A discharge unit 34 for discharging the blood collection tube 101 and a collection unit 35 for winding the mount 113 from which the identification label 105 has been peeled off are provided. The roll holding unit 31 is provided with a rotation shaft 37 that rotatably supports the roll paper body 111, and the label paper 112 is drawn from the roll paper body 111 supported by the rotation shaft 37. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the label sheet 112 is formed by arranging a plurality of identification labels 105 in parallel at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction on a long strip-shaped mount 113. 105 is temporarily bonded to the mount 113 in a peelable manner. As shown in FIG. 3, the printing unit 32 includes a printing device 38 having a printing head, and a label sending device 39 that pulls out the label paper 112 from the roll paper body 111 and sends it to the printing device 38. Has been. Further, the sticking portion 33 has three rollers 41, 42, and 43 (see FIG. 6) that support and rotate the blood collection tube 101 in the circumferential direction, and a blood collection tube 101 at a support position F between the rollers 41 to 43. Supply mechanism 45 is provided. The blood collection tubes 101 are transferred to the supply mechanism 45 one by one by the transfer mechanism 21 or the lifting mechanism 22 of the upper accommodation unit 5a. In addition, the discharge unit 34 includes a discharge conveyor 40 that receives the blood collection tube 101 whose support by the rollers 41 to 43 is released, and the blood collection tube 101 is carried out to the above-described blood collection tube discharge port via the discharge conveyor 40. The Here, the discharge conveyor 40 is a left-right conveyor disposed immediately below the sticking portion 33, and the discharge conveyor 40 disposed in each label sticking device 6 is connected to the blood collection tube discharge port. A transportation route is formed.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, a support roller 41, a drive roller 42, and a pressing roller 43 are disposed in the pasting portion 33. The three rollers 41 to 43 support the blood collection tube 101 by contacting the outer peripheral surface of the blood collection tube 101 supplied via the supply mechanism 45 from three directions. The position of the blood collection tube 101 supported by these three rollers 41 to 43 is the support position F described above.

  The support roller 41 is fixed above the support position F and is rotatably provided. Further, the drive roller 42 is fixed at a position obliquely in front of the support position F and is rotated by a motor (not shown). The pressing roller 43 is disposed obliquely behind the support position F so as to be able to move back and forth in the oblique front-rear direction. The pressing roller 43 is set at the support position F by being separated from the support position F. The blood vessel 101 can be supplied, and the blood collection tube 101 supported at the support position F is released and dropped onto the discharge conveyor 40 of the discharge unit 34. Then, by moving the pressing roller 43 obliquely forward from the separation position, the blood collection tube 101 supplied from the supply mechanism 45 is pressed against the support roller 41 and the driving roller 42 and supported at the support position F. Since the pressing roller 43 is also rotatable like the support roller 41, the drive roller 42 is rotated while the blood collection tube 101 is supported at the support position F, so that the blood collection tube 101 is rotated. Can be rotated in the direction.

  The supply mechanism 45 supplies the blood collection tubes 101 transferred from the upper storage unit 5a or the lower storage unit 5b one by one to the support position F, and the transfer mechanism 21 and the lifting mechanism of the upper storage unit 5a. 22, and a solenoid 47 for tilting the tray 46, and the solenoid 47 is operated to tilt the tray 46 forward at a required timing. Then, the blood collection tube 101 is supplied to the support position F.

  In addition, in the label sticking apparatus 6 of a present Example, the mechanism and supply mechanism 45 which support and rotate the blood-collecting tube 101 by the above-mentioned three rollers 41-43 of the sticking part 33 are known conventionally. Since the thing of the structure which can be applied is applicable, a detail is abbreviate | omitted. Furthermore, the roll holding unit 31, the discharge unit 34, and the collection unit 35 are similarly omitted from the details since the conventionally known configuration can be applied. In the present embodiment, the support roller 41, the drive roller 42, and the pressing roller 43 constitute a rotation support unit according to the present invention. Moreover, the accommodation apparatus concerning this invention is comprised by the upper accommodation unit 5a and the lower accommodation unit 5b. Further, the feeding mechanism 22 and the supply mechanism 45 of the label sticking device 6 constitute a pipe supply device according to the present invention.

Next, the main part of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7A, the blood collection tube 101 includes a transparent glass or plastic bottomed cylindrical main tube body 101a and a cap body 101b that closes the upper opening of the main tube body 101a. Thus, a preliminary label 104 on which information such as a production number (lot No.) is printed is already attached to the outer surface of the main pipe body 101a. The blood collection tube 101 to which the preliminary label 104 is attached is accommodated in the accommodation units 5a and 5b and sequentially supplied to the support position F (see FIG. 4). The spare label 104 has a substantially rectangular shape, and its horizontal width is set to a predetermined dimension shorter than the outer peripheral length of the blood collection tube 101. Therefore, in the blood collection tube 101 to which the preliminary label 104 is attached so that the lateral width direction is along the circumferential direction of the blood collection tube 101, a non-attachment portion 102 to which the preliminary label 104 is not attached is formed along the longitudinal direction. ing. In this non-sticking part 102, since the outer surface of the blood collection tube 101 is exposed, the amount of blood collected in the blood collection tube 101 can be visually confirmed.

  On the other hand, the identification label 105 has a rectangular shape whose width and length are slightly larger than the spare label 104, and is temporarily bonded to the label paper 112 in a peelable manner in parallel as described above (see FIG. 8). ). This identification label 105 has a predetermined width that is affixed along the circumferential direction of the blood collection tube 101 and has a predetermined width shorter than the outer circumference of the blood collection tube 101 (slightly larger than the width of the preliminary label 101). (Large dimension). Each identification label 105 is temporarily bonded to the label sheet 112 such that the width direction thereof is along the longitudinal direction of the label sheet 112 (see FIG. 8). The identification label 105 of the label sheet 112 is affixed to the blood collection tube 101 supported at the support position F via the printing device 38 (see FIG. 6).

  The printing device 38 disposed in the printing unit 32 of the label sticking device 6 is disposed immediately in front of the support position F as shown in FIGS. The above-described identification information is printed on the identification label 105 of the label paper 112 pulled out from the above. Then, the label feeding device 39 sends out the identification label 105 printed by the printing device 38 to a position where the blood collection tube 101 supported at the support position F and the support roller 41 are in contact with each other. Thereby, the identification label 105 can be affixed to the outer surface of the blood collection tube 101 rotating at the support position F. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the contact position between the blood collection tube 101 and the support roller 41 is the label attaching position G according to the present invention, and the position waiting for printing by the printing device 38 is the standby according to the present invention. Position H. Since the label attaching position G and the standby position H are positions determined by the arrangement positions of the support roller 41 and the printing device 38, they are fixed positions, and the interval between these positions is also constant.

  The label sending device 39 includes a platen roller (not shown), a motor for rotating the platen roller, and the like, and by rotating the platen roller, the operation of sending the identification label 105 from the standby position H to the label applying position G is repeated. By the operation, the label paper 112 is intermittently pulled out from the roll paper body 111 held by the roll holding unit 31 and sent to the printing device 38. Here, when the interval between the adjacent identification labels 105 on the label paper 112 is shorter than the interval between the standby position H and the label application position G, when the identification label 105 is sent from the standby position H to the label application position G, Since the next identification label 105 exceeds the standby position H, an operation of returning the next identification label 105 to the standby position H is performed. That is, the label delivery device 39 performs the delivery operation performed to attach the identification label 105 to the blood collection tube 101 at the support position F, and the next operation to send the identification label 105 from the standby position H to the label application position G. The operation of returning the identification label 105 to the standby position H is continuously executed. In the present embodiment, the information printing unit according to the present invention is configured by the printing device 38, and the label sending unit according to the present invention is configured by the label paper 112.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the blood collection tube preparation device 1 of the present embodiment is comprehensively controlled by a control device 7 disposed in the providing unit 3. And the label sticking apparatus 6 which comprises the blood-collecting-tube preparation apparatus 1 is also controlled by the control apparatus 7. FIG. In this embodiment, the control device 7 constitutes the drive control means according to the present invention, and the label sticking device 6 and the control device 7 constitute the label sticking device according to the present invention.

The operation mode of applying the identification label 105 by the label applying apparatus 6 described above will be described below.
As shown in FIG. 6, the label applicator 6 has a preliminary collection tube 101 at a position directly below the drive roller 42 and facing the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the blood collection tube 101 supported at the support position F. An optical sensor 51 for detecting the label 104 is provided. The optical sensor 51 includes a light emitting unit (not shown) and a light receiving unit (not shown), and the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are installed so as to face the blood collection tube 101 supported at the support position F. ing. Such an optical sensor 51 can scan the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the outer peripheral surface of the blood collection tube 101 in the circumferential direction when the blood collection tube 101 at the support position F rotates in the circumferential direction. The optical sensor 51 is connected to the control device 7 described above (see FIG. 5), and the light emission unit is controlled to emit light by the control device 7, and a signal corresponding to the amount of light received by the light reception unit is sent to the optical sensor 51. Output to the control device 7. As the optical sensor 51, since a conventionally known one having a light emitting part and a light receiving part can be applied, details thereof are omitted.

  When the rotating blood collection tube 101 is scanned in the circumferential direction by such an optical sensor 51, there is a difference in the amount of light reflected by the preliminary label 104 and the non-pasting part 102, so as shown in FIG. Can be detected. In the present embodiment, the boundary where the non-sticking portion 102 is switched to the spare label 104 is detected as one side edge 104 a of the spare label 104. And the control apparatus 7 measures time t1-t3 which detects the one side edge 104a of the preliminary | backup label 104 during rotation of the blood collection tube 101. FIG. The detection intervals t1 to t3 are continuously measured a predetermined number of times (for example, three times), the average value is calculated, and the detection interval t of the one side edge 104a of the spare label 104 is obtained. In the present embodiment, when the blood collection tube 101 is supported at the support position F, the controller 7 starts driving the driving roller 42 and rotates a predetermined number (for example, three times), and then the above-described reserve. The operation process which calculates | requires the detection interval t by detecting the one side edge 104a of the label 104 is performed. Such detection interval t is measured for each blood collection tube 101 rotated at the support position F.

  Here, the boundary between the preliminary label 104 and the non-sticking portion 102 is where the amount of light received by the light receiving portion changes suddenly and greatly, so that it is relatively easy to detect, but in order to detect it with higher accuracy and stability. Needs to be clearly distinguished from changes in the amount of light generated elsewhere. More specifically, since the preliminary label 104 is printed with characters and ruled lines such as the above-described production numbers, the amount of received light varies with the characters and ruled lines as shown in FIG. . Such a change in the amount of received light due to characters or ruled lines is confusing when the boundary is detected, and may cause a false detection of the boundary. For this reason, in this embodiment, the boundary is made obvious by executing a canceling process that invalidates the change in the amount of received light at the character or ruled line. In the cancel processing, as shown in FIG. 10, when the light amount changes with respect to the reference light amount value y of the light amount received by the preliminary label 104, the width x in the scanning direction of the light amount change (the circumferential direction of the blood collection tube 101). However, if it is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, the light quantity change is processed as invalid. Here, the reference light amount value y is set as an average value of the light amount detected for the spare label 104 or a light amount value when a non-printed portion (a portion where no characters or ruled lines are printed) of the spare label 104 is detected. obtain. The width x in the scanning direction of the light quantity change indicates a time interval from the start of the change from the reference light quantity value y to the return to the reference light quantity value y. Then, the threshold value that is a determination criterion for the width x is set as a predetermined time value that is shorter than the time interval for detecting the non-pasting part 102. By such cancellation processing, as shown in FIG. 10B, the change in the amount of light caused by the characters or ruled lines of the spare label 104 can be invalidated. 104a can be detected stably with high accuracy. In this embodiment, the control device 7 constitutes the lap interval measuring means according to the present invention, and executes the detection process and the cancel process according to the present invention.

  On the other hand, the label delivery device 39 sends the identification label 105 from the standby position H to the label application position G as described above, and the identification label 105 is sent from the standby position H to the label application position G for a certain time (FIG. 9). Control). In this embodiment, since the printing of the identification label 105 is performed between the standby position H and the label applying position G by the printing device 38, the identification label 105 is placed in the standby position including the printing time in the printing device 38. The data is sent from H to the label attaching position G in a certain time. The time until the identification label 105 reaches the label application position G from the standby position H is the sending time w according to the present invention. Here, as described above, the identification label 105 is temporarily bonded to the label paper 112 along the longitudinal direction of the label paper 112 (the feeding direction by the label sending device 39). An edge along the width direction of the label paper 112 on the sticking position G side is a sending side edge 105a according to the present invention. The time until the sending side edge 105a of the identification label 105 reaches the label attaching position G from the standby position H is the sending time w.

  As described above, the control device 7 measures the intervals t1 to t3 at which the optical sensor 51 detects the one side edge 104a of the spare label 104, and calculates the average as the detection interval t. Then, based on this detection interval t, one side edge 104a of the preliminary label 104 of the blood collection tube 101 rotating at the support position F and the sending side end of the identification label 105 sent out by the label sending device 39 described above. The timing s at which the delivery operation of the label delivery device 39 is started is controlled so that the edge 105a reaches the label application position G almost simultaneously.

More specifically, the arrival timing r at which the one side edge 104a of the preliminary label 104 of the rotating blood collection tube 101 reaches the label attaching position G is obtained from the detection interval t. Here, the position at which the blood collection tube 101 at the support position F is detected by the optical sensor 51 (hereinafter referred to as the detection position) is a predetermined angle along the circumferential direction of the blood collection tube 101 with respect to the label application position G described above. It is in a position away (for example, 160 degrees). Therefore, the time required for the blood collection tube 101 to rotate at the angle can be calculated from the detection interval t, and by correcting the detection interval t, one side of the preliminary label 104 is rotated during the rotation of the blood collection tube 101. The arrival timing r at which the edge 104a passes the label attaching position G can be accurately obtained.
Based on the arrival timing r thus obtained from the detection interval t and the delivery time w required by the label delivery device 39, the label delivery device 39 obtains the timing s for delivering the identification label 105 from the standby position H. Then, the timing at which the delivery-side edge 105a of the identification label 105 reaches the label affixing position G by performing the delivery operation of the label delivery device 39 at the delivery timing s of the identification label 105 is one side of the spare label 104 described above. The arrival timing r at which the end edge 104a reaches the label attaching position G can be substantially matched. Normally, the delivery time w by the label delivery device 39 is longer than the time for one round of the blood collection tube 101 (corresponding to the detection interval t), and the time until the identification label 105 reaches the label application position G from the standby position H. In addition, the blood collection tube 101 rotates a predetermined number of times (for example, three or four rotations). For this reason, the arrival timing r at which the delivery-side edge 105a of the identification label 105 and the one-side edge 104a of the spare label 104 simultaneously reach the label application position G is determined from the timing s at which the delivery operation of the label delivery device 39 is started. The one side edge 104a comes after passing the label applying position G a predetermined number of times.

  As described above, when the one side edge 104a of the preliminary label 104 and the delivery side edge 105a of the identification label 105 reach the label application position G at the same timing r, the identification label 105 is moved to the blood collection tube 101, the support roller 41, and the like. Is pulled in between and stacked on the spare label 104. Here, since the width of the identification label 105 is slightly larger than the width of the spare label 104, the sending side edge 105a of the identification label 105 is substantially matched with the one side edge 104a of the spare label 104, The other side edge 105b of the identification label 105 is slightly shifted from the other side edge 104b of the preliminary label 104. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, the non-sticking portion 102 remains in the blood collection tube 101 to which the identification label 105 is already attached.

  As described above, the label sending device 39 is driven and controlled so as to transfer the identification label 105 from the standby position H to the label applying position G in a fixed time (sending time w). It is kept so that it becomes. Further, the drive roller 42 is driven and controlled so that the blood collection tube 101 supported at the support position F is rotated at a constant rotational speed, and the drive is kept constant. That is, in this embodiment, in order to make the delivery side edge 105a of the identification label 105 and the one side edge 104a of the spare label 104 coincide with each other, the drive speed of the label delivery device 39 and the drive roller 42 is changed. The operation which changes is not performed.

Next, a series of operations (see FIG. 11) of attaching and discharging the identification label 105 to the blood collection tube 101 by the blood collection tube preparation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
When receiving the blood collection preparation information from the external management system, the control device 7 of the blood collection preparation device 1 removes one or a plurality of blood collection tubes 101 used for blood collection from the upper and lower accommodation units 5a and 5b. It is sequentially transferred to the supply mechanism 45. Then, the blood collection tube 101 is supplied to the support position F via the supply mechanism 45. As described above, the preliminary label 104 is previously attached to each blood collection tube 101 (see FIG. 7A).

  When the controller 7 moves the pressing roller 43 from the separated position and supports the blood collection tube 101 at the support position F, the control device 7 rotates the drive roller 42 to rotate the blood collection tube 101 in the circumferential direction (see FIG. 6). Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the optical sensor 51 starts scanning the rotating blood collection tube 101 in the circumferential direction. After the blood collection tube 101 has rotated a predetermined number (for example, three times), the one side edge 104a of the preliminary label 104 of the blood collection tube 101 is detected. In the control device 7, the intervals t1 to t3 at which the one side edge 104a of the preliminary label 104 is detected are measured three times (for three rounds of the blood collection tube 101), and the average detection interval t is calculated. Thereafter, an arrival timing r at which the one side edge 104a of the preliminary label 104 attached to the rotating blood collection tube 101 reaches the label application position G is obtained from the detection interval t, and at the arrival timing r, The timing s (timing to send out from the standby position H) at which the label sending device 39 starts the sending operation is determined so that the identification label 105 reaches the label applying position G. The control device 7 drives and controls the label sending device 39 to send the identification label 105 waiting at the waiting position H toward the label applying position G at the timing s at which the sending operation described above is started. As a result, the identification label 105 is printed with predetermined identification information by the printing device 38 and sent to the label attaching position G. Then, at the timing when the sending time w has passed from the time point when the feed is sent from the standby position H (the timing s), the sending side edge 105a of the identification label 105 reaches the label sticking position G, and at substantially the same timing r, One side edge 104a of the preliminary label 104 of the rotating blood collection tube 101 reaches the label applying position G. As a result, the identification label 105 is overlapped and pasted on the spare label 104 by the support roller 41 (see FIG. 7B). By attaching the identification label 105 in this way, the non-sticking part 102 remains in the blood collection tube 101. Thereafter, the control device 7 stops driving the driving roller 42 and moves the pressing roller 43 to the retracted position, so that the labeled blood collection tube 101 passes through the discharge conveyor 40 to the above-described blood collection tube discharge port. And is accommodated in the tray 121 located at the blood collection tube accommodation position P of the providing unit 3.

  As described above, the series of operations (refer to FIG. 11) from the supply of the blood collection tube 101 to the support position F via the supply mechanism 45 to the discharge of the identification label 105 is repeatedly performed (see FIG. 11). A predetermined number of blood collection tubes 101 indicated by the blood collection preparation information can be accommodated in the tray 121 and prepared. The blood collection tube preparation device 1 of the present embodiment uses the above-described label sticking device 6 to overlap the identification label 105 on the spare label 104 and bond them together to leave the non-sticking portion 102 of the blood collection tube 101. The already-collected blood collection tube 101 can visually recognize the amount of blood collected by the non-sticking part 102 during blood collection work.

  The control device 7 (see FIG. 5) controls each of the transfer mechanism 21 and the lifting mechanism 22 for transferring the blood collection tube 101 from the storage units 5a and 5b to the supply mechanism 45, the operation control of the supply mechanism 45, and the pressing. The forward / backward movement control of the roller 43, the rotation control of the driving roller 42, the feeding operation control by the label feeding device 39, and the printing control of the printing device 38 are controlled so as to be interlocked with each other.

  As described above, the label affixing device 6 of the blood collection tube preparation device 1 according to the present embodiment controls the one side edge of the preliminary label 104 affixed to the blood collection tube 101 to control the application of the identification label 105 to the blood collection tube 101. Since the detection is performed based on the detection interval t of 104a, the identification label 105 is placed so that the blood collection tube 101 having various outer diameters is overlapped on the spare label 104 and the non-sticking portion 102 remains. Can be affixed. Therefore, even if the blood collection tubes 101 having different outer diameters are selectively transferred from the storage units 5a and 5b described above, the detection interval t of each blood collection tube 101 is measured, so that identification is made according to each blood collection tube 101. Since the timing s at which the label 105 is delivered can be controlled, the identification label 105 can be affixed so that the delivery-side edge 105a of the identification label 105 substantially coincides with the one-side edge 104a of the spare label 104. Therefore, even if the label-attached blood collection tubes 101 accommodated in the tray 121 have different outer diameters, the identification label 105 is similarly stuck on the spare label 104 so that the non-sticking portion 102 is It remains.

  In this embodiment, since the detection interval t of the one side edge 104a of the preliminary label 104 is measured for each blood collection tube 101 rotated at the support position F, it is repeatedly used over a relatively long period. Thus, even if the elasticity of the surface of each of the rollers 41 to 43 supporting the blood collection tube 101 declines or wear occurs on the mechanical parts for rotating the drive roller 42, the timing s suitable for the situation Thus, the identification label 105 can be sent to the label application position G. Therefore, even if the support position of the blood collection tube 101 is shifted due to wear of the mechanical parts or the rotation speed of the blood collection tube 101 is changed, the delivery-side edge 105a of the identification label 105 is placed on one side edge of the preliminary label 104. The identification label 105 can be affixed to substantially coincide with the edge 104a. Therefore, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the identification label 105 can be affixed to the blood collection tube 101 accurately and stably without causing a problem that the identification label affixing position is shifted due to long-term use unlike the conventional configuration described above. .

In this invention, it is not limited to the Example mentioned above, About the structure other than the above-mentioned Example, it can change and implement suitably within the range of the meaning of this invention.
For example, the blood collection tube preparation device 1 of the embodiment is configured to include a plurality of label applicators 6, but is not limited to this, and is, for example, a blood collection device preparation device including one label applicator. Also good. Furthermore, it may be a blood collection tube preparation device having a different number of accommodation units.

  Moreover, although the Example mentioned above illustrated about the blood-collecting-tube preparation apparatus (label sticking apparatus) which sticks an identification label to a blood-collecting tube, not only this but an identification label is stuck on the test tube which accommodates samples other than blood. It may be a test tube preparation device (labeling device).

  Moreover, although the present Example illustrated about the blood-collecting-tube preparation apparatus 1 which arrange | positioned the label sticking apparatus 6, it is not restricted to this, A label sticking apparatus may exist independently. Similar to the above-described embodiment, such a labeling device includes a roll holding unit that holds a roll paper body (label paper), a printing unit that includes a printing device and a label feeding device, a support roller, a driving roller, and a pressing roller. And a control device that drives and controls the printing device, the label feeding device, the driving roller, and the pressing roller. Such a label sticking apparatus measures the detection interval of one side edge of the spare label by rotating the blood collection tube at the support position by the control device in the same manner as the label sticking apparatus of the above-described embodiment. Based on the above, the timing for sending the identification label to the label application position is controlled. Thereby, like the embodiment described above, the identification label can be attached to the blood collection tube, and the same effects as the embodiment can be obtained.

1 Blood collection tube preparation device (test tube preparation device)
5a, 5b storage unit (storage device)
6 Label application device 51 Optical sensor 101 Blood collection tube 102 Non-application part 104 Preliminary label 104a One side edge 105 Identification label 105a Delivery side edge G Label application position t Detection interval

Claims (5)

An identification label on which identification information related to medical care or examination is printed on a test tube in which a spare label is previously affixed to the outer peripheral surface and a non-affixed portion is not attached along the longitudinal direction. In a label sticking device that sticks on a label,
Information printing means for printing the identification information on the identification label;
Rotation support means for supporting the test tube and rotating the test tube in the circumferential direction;
Label sending means for sending the identification label printed by the information printing means to a label sticking position where the identification label is stuck on the outer surface of the test tube supported by the rotation support means;
Drive control means for controlling rotation of the test tube by the rotation support means and delivery of the identification label by the label delivery means;
A sensor for detecting one side edge of the circumferential direction of the spare label of the test tube rotated by the rotation support means is provided, and the one side edge of the spare label by the sensor is rotated during rotation of the test tube. And a lap interval measuring means for measuring the detection interval in time,
The drive control means includes
During the rotation of the test tube by the rotation support means, the identification label is overlaid on the preliminary label of the test tube based on the detection interval measured by the circulation interval measurement means, and the non-sticking portion remains. Thus, the label sticking apparatus is characterized in that it controls the timing of sending out the identification label to the label sticking position. The identification label has a substantially rectangular shape whose lateral width along the circumferential direction of the test tube is shorter than the outer peripheral length of the test tube,
The drive control means
During the rotation of the test tube by the rotation support means, based on the detection interval measured by the circulation interval measurement means, the delivery side edge of the identification label sent to the label application position is detected by the sensor of the circulation interval measurement means. The label sticking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein timing for feeding the identification label to the label sticking position is controlled so that the sticker is pasted so as to substantially coincide with one side edge of the spare label. The label sending means repeatedly performs a sending operation for sending the identification label from the standby position at a predetermined interval from the label sticking position to the label sticking position,
The drive control means
The timing at which one side edge of the spare label affixed to the rotating test tube reaches the label application position, and the output side edge of the identification label sent out from the standby position by the label delivery means is the label application position The label sending means is based on the sending time required for the identification label to reach the label attaching position from the standby position and the detection interval measured by the rounding interval measuring means so that the timing at which the label arrives is substantially the same. The label affixing device according to claim 2, wherein the timing for feeding out the identification label from the standby position is controlled. The lap interval measuring means is
The sensor that detects one edge of the spare label is an optical sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit,
Based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit by scanning the outer surface of the rotating test tube with the optical sensor along the circumferential direction by the rotation support means, the preliminary label and the non-sticking part of the test tube With detection processing to detect
When the amount of light received by the light receiving unit is changed with respect to a reference light amount value indicating a preliminary label when the detection process is shorter than a predetermined threshold from the start of the change to the reference light amount value, The label sticking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a canceling process for invalidating the change in the amount of light. It is provided with the label sticking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A storage device for storing a plurality of test tubes having preliminarily attached preliminary labels of a substantially rectangular shape on the outer peripheral surface;
A test tube comprising: a tube supply device for transferring a test tube from the storage device to the labeling device and supplying the test tube to a support position supported by a rotation support means of the labeling device. Preparation device.

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