JP4917516B2 - Dispensing seal device and well opening sealing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a dispensing seal device for sticking a seal member to an upper surface of a plate having a plurality of wells in a lattice shape and sealing the opening of each well, and a method for sealing a well opening. The present invention relates to a dispensing seal apparatus and a well opening sealing method suitable for sealing the opening of each well of a crystallized plate subjected to pouring.

  As this type of dispensing seal device, for example, in a well of a crystallization plate, a tape-like sheet is attached to the upper surface of the crystallization plate in order to seal the well after dispensing and prevent fluctuation of conditions due to liquid evaporation. A sheet supply means that includes a moving mechanism capable of moving the crystallization plate itself, and can appropriately supply a tape-like sheet wound in a roll shape to a required position on the crystallization plate; There is known a dispensing seal device including a sheet affixing unit capable of affixing the supplied sheet to the upper surface of the crystallization plate and a sheet cutting unit capable of cutting an end of the affixed sheet (for example, Patent Document 1).

Here, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the sheet pasting means has a pressing roller for pressing and feeding the supplied sheet to the upper surface of the crystallization plate (for example, paragraph in the same literature). 0045). And this press roller is comprised by the metallic roller-shaped member and the elastic body which coat | covers the outer peripheral surface, and this press roller is rolled along the direction which affixes a sheet | seat, and the upper surface of a crystallization plate is covered. By pressing, a tape-like sheet can be attached to the wells that have been dispensed without time lag. Thereby, according to the technique described in the document, it is possible to prevent a change in conditions due to liquid evaporation in the well.
Japanese Patent No. 3685189

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the pressing roller is composed of a metallic roller-shaped member and an elastic body that covers the outer peripheral surface thereof, thereby making it possible to absorb some unevenness on the sheet sticking surface. However, if the unevenness of the sheet attachment surface is large, it is difficult to reliably press the peripheral edge of the opening of each well over the entire circumference. That is, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the opening of each well seals the sheet supplied to the upper surface of the crystallization plate by only pressing the sheet while rolling the pressing roller. In order to reliably apply a pressing force to the peripheral edge of each portion and to reliably seal the peripheral edge of each well over the entire circumference, there are still problems to be solved.

In addition, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, in order to automate the sealing of the opening of each well, as described above, the movement mechanism of the crystallization plate itself, the tape-like sheet supply means, the sheet cutting means, This also necessitates a problem that the apparatus becomes large and expensive.
Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to such a problem, and more reliably seals the peripheral edge of the opening of each well over the entire circumference, while reducing the size and reducing the device. An object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing seal device that can be made cost-effective.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for sealing a well opening that can more securely seal the peripheral edge of the opening of each well over the entire circumference.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the first invention of the present invention is such that the upper surface of a plate having a plurality of wells capable of containing a liquid has an adhesive surface on one surface and can cover the upper surface of the plate. A dispensing seal device for sticking a wide seal member to seal the opening of each of the plurality of wells, comprising a seal member pressing means capable of sticking the seal member to the upper surface of the plate The seal member pressing means includes a plate surface pressing means capable of adhering the adhesive surface of the seal member to the upper surface of the plate so as to cover the openings of the plurality of wells, and the seal member from above each well. , And a well peripheral portion pressing means capable of individually sealing the peripheral portion of the opening of each well.

  According to the dispensing seal device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the seal member pressing means capable of attaching the seal member to the upper surface of the plate is provided. The sealing member pressing means includes a plate surface pressing means and a well peripheral edge pressing means, and the plate surface pressing means is configured so that the adhesive surface of the sealing member covers the openings of the plurality of wells. Since it can be affixed to the upper surface of each well, a seal member can be affixed to the upper surface of the plate to seal the opening of each well.

Furthermore, since the well peripheral edge pressing means can seal the peripheral edge of the opening of each well by pressing the sealing member from above each well, the upper surface of the plate attached by the plate surface pressing means Further, the peripheral edge of the opening of each well can be individually pressed over the entire circumference of the sealing member.
That is, according to the dispensing sealing device according to the first aspect of the invention, two-stage sealing can be performed by the plate surface pressing means and the well peripheral edge pressing means. Therefore, for example, as in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the peripheral edge of each well is more reliably sealed as compared to a dispensing seal device that seals by a one-step sealing process using only rollers. be able to.

  And according to the dispensing seal device concerning this 1st invention, as a sealing member which seals each opening of each well, while having an adhesive surface on one side, the area which can cover the upper surface of a plate For example, a tape-like sheet supply unit and a sheet cutting unit are unnecessary as compared with the technique described in Patent Document 1, for example. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the dispensing seal device.

  Here, in the dispensing seal device according to the first invention, the plate surface pressing means includes a seal member pressing plate having a plurality of through holes in accordance with the pitch of the wells, and the seal member pressing The plate can be attached so that the adhesive surface of the seal member faces the upper surface of the plate and is pressed to cover the upper surface of the plate, and the well peripheral edge pressing means is configured to press the seal member A plurality of sealing member pressing pins that can be inserted into the plurality of through holes of the plate from above, the plurality of sealing member pressing pins being inserted into the through holes of the sealing member pressing plate; It is preferable that a predetermined depth is inserted so as to press the seal member.

With such a configuration, the plate surface pressing means has a plurality of through holes in which the sealing member pressing plate is matched to the pitch between the wells. On the other hand, the sealing member pressing means is a sealing member pressing means. Since the plurality of seal member pressing pins are inserted into the plurality of through-holes of the plate by a predetermined depth so as to press the seal member from above, the above-mentioned two-stage sealing is performed on wells that have been dispensed. Can be performed continuously. Therefore, there is no time lag, which is more suitable for sealing the peripheral edge of the opening of each well.
In addition, such a configuration is suitable for disposing the well peripheral portion pressing means at a position above the plate surface pressing means, and thereby, for example, the well peripheral portion pressing means is horizontal with respect to the plate surface pressing means. Compared with the case where it arranges adjacent to a direction, it is more suitable when reducing a dispensing seal apparatus.

  In addition, the second invention of the present invention is a sealing member having an adhesive surface on one surface and an area capable of covering the upper surface of the plate on the upper surface of a plate having a plurality of wells capable of containing liquid. A first sealing step of sticking the adhesive surface of the seal member to the upper surface of the plate so as to cover the openings of the plurality of wells. And after the first sealing step, a second sealing step of individually sealing the peripheral edge of the opening of each well by pressing the sealing member from above each well. It is said.

  According to the method for sealing a well opening according to the second invention, a sealing member having an adhesive surface on one surface and a width capable of covering the upper surface of the plate is attached to the upper surface of the plate. And when sealing the openings of each of the plurality of wells, a first sealing step of sticking the adhesive surface of the sealing member so as to cover the openings of the plurality of wells, and after the first sealing step, The sealing member is pressed from above each well and sealed by the second sealing step for sealing the peripheral edge of the opening of each well. Therefore, in the first sealing step, the entire upper surface of the plate is sealed with the sealing member. By covering, the respective opening of each well is sealed, and in the second sealing step, the periphery of the opening of each well is further sealed over the entire circumference. It is possible to perform sealing of the two stages. Therefore, for example, as in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the peripheral edge portion of each well can be more reliably sealed as compared with a sealing method using a single-stage sealing process using only rollers.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a dispensing seal device that can more reliably seal the peripheral portion of the opening of each well over the entire circumference and reduce the size and cost of the device. Can do.
In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for sealing a well opening that can more reliably seal the peripheral edge of the opening of each well over the entire circumference.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
First, a crystallization plate, which is an embodiment of a plate applied to a dispensing sealing device and a well opening sealing method according to the present invention, will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the crystallization plate. FIG. 1 (a) is a plan view thereof and FIG. 1 (b) is a front view thereof.
Here, for example, a sitting drop method, which is a vapor diffusion method, is known as a method for searching for protein crystallization conditions. This crystallization plate is an example of a crystallization plate used for the sitting drop method. is there.

  As shown in the figure, the crystallization plate 100 has a rectangular shape in plan view, and a plurality of wells 101 are formed on the upper surface 110 thereof in a grid pattern. In each well 101, a reservoir well 103 having a large capacity and a drop well 104 having a small capacity are arranged adjacent to each other. When this crystallization plate 100 is used, the reservoir solution is dispensed into the reservoir well 103, and then the mixed drop of the protein solution and the reservoir solution is dispensed into the drop well 104. Thereafter, the well opening 102 is closed with a seal member to prevent fluctuations in conditions due to liquid evaporation.

Here, each of the reservoir well 103 and the drop well 104 has a circular shape in plan view, and is provided in a position where the reservoirs overlap each other, thereby forming a substantially eyebrow shape.
In this embodiment, the rectangular short side of the crystallization plate 100 is defined as the vertical direction (hereinafter also referred to as “row direction”) in FIG. It is formed as one well row, and the long side is the horizontal direction (hereinafter also referred to as “column direction”) in FIG. 1A, and 12 wells 101 are formed in this row direction (that is, This is an example in which a total of 96 wells 101 are arranged in a lattice pattern.

Next, a sheet which is an embodiment of a sealing member applied to the dispensing sealing device and the well opening sealing method according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the sheet.
As shown in the figure, the sheet 200 is configured to include a transparent film 201 having an adhesive surface on one side and a release paper 202 for protecting the adhesive surface of the film 201. In addition, the figure is the figure which looked at the sheet | seat 200 from the release paper 202 side. This release paper 202 has a cut K along the top and bottom in the vicinity of both ends, and is divided into a release paper 202A at one end, a release paper 202B at the center, and a release paper 202C at the other end. Note that there is no break in the film 201 itself. When the central release paper 202B is peeled off from the cut of the release paper 202, the release papers 202A and 202C remaining without being peeled on both sides are secured for handling as tabs (ears).

Here, in the example of the present embodiment, a sheet type (trade name “ClearSeal Film”) commercially available from Hampton Research (USA) or the like is used as the sheet 200. Further, the sheet 200 has a rectangular shape in plan view like the crystallization plate, has a size of approximately 141 mm × 79 mm, and has a necessary and sufficient width that can cover the upper surface 110 of the crystallization plate 100. Have. The sheet 200 is used such that the direction along its long side coincides with the row direction of the crystallization plate 100 as shown in FIG.
Normally, when sealing each well opening 102 of the crystallization plate 100 using this sheet 200, the release paper 202B at the center is peeled off, and the tabs on both sides are held by hand. The adhesive surface of the film 201 is attached to the upper surface 110 so as to cover the entire surface.

Next, an embodiment of a dispensing seal device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is a plan view for explaining the dispensing seal device, FIG. 4 is a front view thereof, and FIG. 5 is a right side view thereof.
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the dispensing seal device 1 includes a slide pressing part 2 and a set part 3. The slide pressing part 2 and the set part 3 are both placed on the base 9, and the slide pressing part 2 has a slide part that can be slid along the row direction. On the other hand, the set unit 3 is fixed on the base 9, and the crystallization plate 100 is placed at a predetermined position on the set unit 3. Hereinafter, in the present specification, the row direction and the column direction are shown with reference to the crystallization plate 100 on the set unit 3, and the advancing side of the slide unit in the column direction is the forward side and the backward side. Is referred to as the backward side (see FIG. 3).

First, the setting unit 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the set unit. In FIG. 6, only the set unit 3 is illustrated except for the slide pressing unit 2 from FIGS. 3 to 5 for easy understanding. (A) is a front view of the set portion, (b) is a plan view thereof, and (c) is a right side view thereof.
As shown in the figure, the set portion 3 has a rectangular table 4, and four legs 4 a extending downward are provided at each of the four corners of the lower surface of the table 4. The table 4 is disposed above the electric actuator 10 (described later) shown in FIGS. The four legs 4 a are provided so as to straddle the electric actuator 10, and the crystallization plate 100 is placed on the table 4.

On the upper surface of the table 4, two column direction guides 55 for positioning the crystallization plate 100 mounted thereon in the column direction are mounted on both sides in the row direction. One row direction guide 56 for positioning in the orthogonal row direction is attached to the end portion on the forward side in the column direction. The table 4 is provided with a sheet holding portion 7 for sandwiching one end portion of the sheet 200 at a position along the end surface on the receding side in the column direction of the crystallization plate 100 placed on the table. ing.
Next, the sheet holding unit 7 will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the sheet holding unit. FIGS. 7A and 7B show a state in which the sheet holding unit is opened, FIG. 7A is a plan view thereof, and FIG. FIGS. 3C and 3D show a state in which the sheet holding portion is closed, FIG. 3A is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 2B is a front view thereof.

  As shown in the figure, the sheet holding unit 7 includes a holding plate 58 on the table 4. The holding plate 58 is a rod-shaped member having a rectangular cross section, and its longitudinal direction is directed in the direction along the row direction of the crystallization plate 100, and the end portion on the receding side in the column direction of the crystallization plate 100. It is fixed on the side. The holding plate 58 protrudes toward the advance side of the rectangular surface of the crystallization plate 100 toward the advance side in the column direction, and extends in the row direction of the crystallization plate 100. A sheet receiving portion 59 extending along the side surface is provided. Further, a plate-like rubber 60 is attached to the holding plate 58 on the upper surface side of the sheet receiving portion 59 and on the surface facing the advance side in the row direction. The thickness of the rubber 60 is smaller than the protruding amount of the sheet receiving portion 59, and the one end of the sheet 200 can be placed on the sheet receiving portion 59 and along the rubber surface. Yes. The range in which the sheet receiving portion 59 is formed and the range in which the rubber 60 is stretched in the row direction of the crystallization plate 100 are a predetermined range in accordance with the width of one end portion of the sheet 200. Yes.

  Further, the holding plate 58 is attached at one end thereof with a base end portion of an opening / closing plate 62 via a hinge portion 61 so that the opening / closing plate 62 can be freely opened and closed. Further, a sheet holding hook 63 having a U-shaped front view is attached to the front end portion of the opening / closing plate 62 via a support shaft 63a. Further, the other end of the holding plate 58 is formed with a hook convex portion 64 that can be engaged with a U-shaped sheet holding hook 63, and the sheet holding hook 63 rotates around the support shaft 63a. By doing so, the sheet holding hook 63 can be hooked on the hook convex portion 64.

In order to hold the sheet 200 by the sheet holding portion 7, first, as shown in FIG. 7A, one end portion of the sheet 200 is placed on the sheet receiving portion 59 of the holding plate 58 with the opening / closing plate 62 opened. Is placed. Next, by closing the opening / closing plate 62, one end of the sheet 200 is sandwiched, and in that state, the sheet holding hook 63 is hooked on the hook convex portion 64 of the holding plate 58 and fixed. At this time, one end portion of the sheet 200 is pressed by the rubber 60 while being sandwiched, so that the sheet 200 is difficult to come off.
Further, on the table 4, a release paper holding unit 70 is provided for sandwiching one end portion of the release paper 202 </ b> B at the center part partially peeled from the sheet 200.

Next, the release paper holding unit 70 will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the release paper holding unit.
As shown in the figure, the release paper holding unit 70 is provided on the table 4 so as to be positioned at an end portion on the receding side in the row direction with respect to the sheet holding unit 7. The release paper holding unit 70 includes second posts 71 that are pillars standing on both sides of the table 4. A second fixing bar 72 is stretched over the second posts 71 along the row direction. The second posts 71 and the second fixing bars 72 straddle the crystallization plate 100. The gate has a width that can be used. Further, the second fixing bar 72 has a concave step 74 used for inserting the release paper 202 having a required length corresponding to the width of the sheet 200 at the center in the longitudinal direction (row direction). Is formed. Further, a rod-like second opening / closing bar 73 is attached to one end side of the second fixing bar 72 via a hinge portion 75, and the second opening / closing bar 73 rotates around the axis of the hinge portion 75. The second fixed bar 72 can be opened and closed by moving. A release paper holding hook 76 having a U-shaped front view is rotatably attached to the second opening / closing bar 73 via a support shaft 76a. The second opening / closing bar 73 has a rubber 78 attached to the contact surface with the second fixing bar 72. On the other end side of the second fixing bar 72, a hook convex portion 77 for hooking the release paper holding hook 76 is formed.

  In order to hold the release paper 202 </ b> B by the release paper holding unit 70, first, with the second opening / closing bar 73 opened, the one end of the release paper 202 </ b> B is moved along the concave stepped portion 74 of the second fixing bar 72. Put it on. Next, the second opening / closing bar 73 is closed to sandwich one end thereof, and the release paper holding hook 76 is hooked and fixed to the hook convex portion of the second fixing bar 72. At this time, the release paper 202 </ b> B is held while being pressed by the rubber 78 affixed to the second opening / closing bar 73, and thus is difficult to come off.

Next, the slide pressing portion 2 of the dispensing seal device 1 will be described in detail.
The slide pressing portion 2 is a sealing member pressing means capable of attaching the adhesive surface of the film 201 to the upper surface 110 of the crystallization plate 100 on the set portion 3 while peeling the release paper 202B from the sheet 200. For each well row completed, the film 201 is fed along the row direction, and the adhesive surface of the film 201 is pressed against the upper surface 110 of the crystallization plate 100, so that the wells after dispensing can be sealed without time lag. ing.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the slide pressing portion 2 includes an electric actuator 10 that is arranged with its longitudinal direction coinciding with the row direction. The electric actuator 10 has a motor 11 on the backward side in the row direction (left side in FIGS. 3 and 4). The motor 11 is appropriately driven according to a signal from a control unit (not shown). Furthermore, the electric actuator 10 is configured to have a slide member 12 on the upper surface 10b of the electric actuator main body 10a that can slide along the longitudinal direction (column direction) when the motor 11 is driven. .

  Then, a slide bar 13 which is a rectangular plate member is attached to the slide member 12 so that its longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the column direction (row direction), and its central portion is attached to the upper surface of the slide member 12. It has been. Thereby, this slide bar 13 is slidable with the slide member 12 along the said row direction. The length of the slide member 12 in the longitudinal direction is sufficiently longer than the short side of the crystallization plate 100, and both ends of the slide member 12 protrude from both sides of the crystallization plate 100 in the row direction. Yes. Here, all the other constituent members of the slide pressing portion 2 described below are also provided on the slide bar 13, whereby the constituent members on the slide bar 13 of the slide pressing portion 2 are the motor 11. Is driven in accordance with a signal from the control unit, and can be slid to a desired position along the row direction. Note that a portion of the slide pressing portion 2 including the slide member 12 that is fixed to the slide member 12 and is slidable corresponds to the slide portion.

  Here, the slide pressing unit 2 includes plate surface pressing means that can attach the adhesive surface of the film 201 to the upper surface of the crystallization plate 100 so as to cover the openings 102 of the plurality of wells 101, and the upper side of each well 101. Each of the wells 101 includes a well peripheral portion pressing means that presses the film 201 and can individually seal the peripheral portion 102s (see FIG. 1) of the opening 102 of each well 101.

First, the plate surface pressing means will be described.
The plate surface pressing means includes a first air cylinder 14 and a film pressing plate 15.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the first air cylinders 14 are respectively attached to the upper surface of the slide bar 13 and at positions that do not interfere with the table 4 at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The first air cylinder 14 has a cylinder main body fixed to the upper surface of the slide bar 13, and is disposed with its axial direction up and down and its cylinder rod 14a facing upward. The first air cylinder 14 is connected in turn to an electromagnetic valve, a regulator, and a compressor via an air pipe (hereinafter not shown), and the pressure of the compressor is adjusted to a predetermined pressure by the regulator. Is capable of electrically switching between air supply to the cylinder and air release to the cylinder in response to a signal from the control unit. In the vicinity of the first air cylinder 14, a first guide member 14b is mounted so as to be guided so that the shaft of the cylinder rod 14a can move smoothly without twisting. Thus, the first air cylinder 14 can be operated by opening and closing the solenoid valve for the first air cylinder 14. The first air cylinder 14 is a single-action retractable type. When air pressure is supplied, the cylinder rod 14a is moved in the retracting direction (the upper surface 110 side of the crystallization plate 100), and when the air pressure is released, the cylinder rod 14a is moved. Can be raised.

  Here, the first air cylinder 14 is for performing the first-stage sealing (first sealing process) of the film 201 on the crystallization plate 100. That is, the first air cylinder 14 is a driving source for pressing to attach the adhesive surface of the film 201 so as to cover the openings 102 of the plurality of wells 101 of the crystallization plate 100.

  The film pressing plate 15 is attached to the ends of the cylinder rods 14a of the two first air cylinders 14 and at a position higher than the upper surface of the crystallization plate 100 so as to connect the cylinder rods 14a to each other. The film pressing plate 15 is a rectangular plate member, and is arranged with the longitudinal direction thereof being the same as that of the slide bar 13. Further, the film pressing plate 15 is provided with a film folding portion 15a formed by chamfering the upper end surface on the side facing the advance direction in the row direction (see FIG. 14B). . Further, on the lower surface of the film pressing plate 15, a sliding member 24, which is a slippery material such as a fluororesin, is attached to a portion that becomes a contact surface between the film pressing plate 15 and the film 201. Is disposed as a surface facing the upper surface 110 of the crystallization plate 100. Here, the film pressing plate 15 corresponds to the sealing member pressing plate constituting the plate surface pressing means.

  That is, the film pressing plate 15 is slid to a necessary position facing each well 101 for each well row in which dispensing has been completed along the row direction by driving the motor 11 described above. The film 201 can be fed while the adhesive surface of the film 201 is opposed to the upper surface 110 of the crystallization plate 100, and the first air cylinder 14 is operated to move the film 201 to the crystallization plate 100. The upper surface 110 of the crystallizing plate 100 can be pasted so as to cover the upper surface 110 by pressing toward the upper surface 110 side.

Next, the well peripheral portion pressing means will be described.
The well peripheral edge pressing means includes a second air cylinder 16 and a push bar 19 to which a plurality of film pressing pins 20 are attached.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the second air cylinder 16 is attached to the upper surface of the film pressing plate 15 and both sides thereof. The cylinder body of the second air cylinder 16 is fixed to the upper surface of the film pressing plate 15, and the axial direction of the second air cylinder 16 is set up and down and the cylinder rod 16a faces upward. The second air cylinder 16 is connected to a solenoid valve, a regulator, and a compressor in this order via an air pipe (hereinafter not shown) in the same manner as the first air cylinder 14, and the pressure of the compressor is controlled by the regulator. Adjusted to a predetermined pressure, the solenoid valve can be electrically switched between air supply to the cylinder and air release to the cylinder in response to a signal from the control unit. In the vicinity of the second air cylinder 16, a guide member 16b provided so as to be able to move smoothly without the shaft of the cylinder rod 16a being twisted is mounted, and the tip of the cylinder rod 16a is further provided. Is provided with a floating joint 16c so that the axis of the cylinder rod 16a can move smoothly without twisting. Accordingly, the second air cylinder 16 can be operated by opening and closing the electromagnetic valve for the second air cylinder 16. The second air cylinder 16 is a single-action retractable type. The cylinder rod 16a can be moved in the retracting direction by supplying air pressure, and the cylinder rod 16a can be lifted by releasing the air pressure.

  Here, the second air cylinder 16 further removes the film 201 from the opening 102 of each well 101 for each well row that has been dispensed after the first-stage sealing by the plate surface pressing means. Press. That is, after the first-stage sealing (first sealing process), the film 201 is pressed from above each well 101, and the peripheral edge portion 102s (see FIG. 1) of the opening 102 of each well 101 is pressed. This is a drive source for performing the second-stage sealing (second sealing process).

  And the substantially L-shaped board member 17 is each attached to the front-end | tip of the cylinder rod 16a of each 2nd air cylinder 16, and each board | plate member 17 is provided in the back surface side below. The shaft members 18 extending in the direction are respectively fixed, and the push bar 19 is stretched across the crystallization plate 100 via the shaft members 18. The push bar 19 is disposed so as to be positioned above the film pressing plate 15, and a plurality of film pressing pins 20 are provided on the lower surface thereof.

Here, the configuration of the film pressing plate 15 and the push bar 19 and the relationship between the relative positions will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a part A in FIG. 2A shows a state where the film presser plate 15 and the push bar 19 are raised, and FIG. 2B shows a state where the film presser plate 15 and the push bar 19 are lowered. In the figure, a part is shown in cross section for easy understanding. 10 to 12, the motor 11 is driven, and the slide pressing portion 2 is moved so that the film pressing pin 20 is directly above the opening 102 of each well 101 in the well row of the crystallization plate 100. FIG. 10 is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 11 is a front view thereof. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of through holes 22 are formed through the film pressing plate 15 along the ascending / descending direction of the first air cylinder 14. The plurality of through holes 22 are formed at positions facing the respective wells 101 in accordance with the pitch in the row direction between the plurality of wells 101 in the well column.
On the other hand, the plurality of film pressing pins 20 provided on the lower surface of the push bar 19 are shaft members having a circular cross section, and are fixed downward so as to face the crystallization plate 100. Each film pressing pin 20 is disposed so as to be positioned immediately above the opening 102 of each well 101 of each well row of the crystallization plate 100. Further, each film pressing pin 20 is provided at a position where the film pressing pin 20 can be inserted into a plurality of through holes 22 penetratingly formed in the film pressing plate 15, whereby the film positioned on the opening 102 of each well 101. With respect to 201, the upper surface of the film 201 can be pressed through the through hole 22 from above. The film pressing plate 15 corresponds to the sealing member pressing plate.
Here, the upper surface of the film pressing plate 15 is further provided with a film peeling portion 40 for separating the sheet 200 into the film 201 and the release paper 202 when the dispensing seal device 1 is operated.

Next, this film peeling part 40 is demonstrated. 13 and 14 are explanatory views of the film peeling portion. In FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, illustration of the push bar 19 is omitted for easy understanding.
As shown in FIGS. 13 to 14, the film peeling portion 40 includes first posts 41 erected one by one between the second air cylinders 16 on both sides of the film pressing plate 15. In addition, in the push bar 19, in order to avoid interference with the first post 41, through holes 19a through which the first post 41 can be inserted are formed at positions facing the first posts 41, respectively. As a result, the first post 41 does not prevent the push bar 19 from moving up and down.

  A first fixing bar 42 is spanned between the first posts 41, and a gate shape having a necessary width according to the width of the seat 200 is formed by the first post 41 and the first fixing bar 42. There is no. A first opening / closing bar 43 is attached to one end side of the first fixing bar 42 via a hinge member 43a. The first opening / closing bar 43 has an end surface facing the predetermined direction. In addition, it has a release paper folding portion 44 formed by chamfering. In the closed state, a predetermined gap is secured so that the seat 200 can be inserted between the first fixed bar 42 and the first opening / closing bar 43. Further, the first open / close bar 43 rotates around the axis of the hinge member 43a and can be opened / closed with respect to the first fixed bar 42. The first opening / closing bar 43 is provided with a magnet 45 at its tip, and the closed state is held by the magnet 45.

Next, a setting method of the seat 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 15A to 15H are explanatory diagrams of a method for setting the seat 200. FIG.
In the dispensing seal device 1, the seat 200 is manually set by the following procedure.
First, one sheet 200 is prepared, and as shown in FIG. 1A, one end portion (the release paper 202A or the release paper 202C side) in the longitudinal direction of the sheet is arranged with respect to the sheet holding portion 7 The release paper 202 is placed on the sheet receiving portion 59 of the holding plate 58 so that the release paper 202 faces the crystallization plate 100 side. Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the opening / closing plate 62 is closed to fix one end of the sheet 200.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, the sheet 200 is passed from above the first fixing bar 42 of the film peeling unit 40, and the sheet 200 is second fixed between the first fixing bar 42 and the release paper holding unit 70. Insert into the gap between the bar 72. Next, as shown in FIG. 4D, the first opening / closing bar 43 of the film peeling unit 40 is closed, and the sheet 200 is sandwiched between the first fixing bar 42 and the first opening / closing bar 43. Next, as shown in FIG. 5E, the edge of the release paper 202B is partially peeled off from the cut of the release paper 202 on the sheet holding unit 7 side. Next, as shown in FIG. 5F, the end portion of the partially peeled release paper 202B is folded back on the first opening / closing bar 43, and is placed on the step 74 of the second fixing bar 72 of the release paper holding portion 70. Put it on.

  Next, the second opening / closing bar 73 is closed and the release paper 202B is fixed to the release paper holding unit 70 as shown in FIG. Next, as shown in FIG. 11H, the sheet 200 is pulled by hand in this state, and the sag of the film 201 portion from which the release paper 202 is peeled is eliminated. The setting of the sheet 200 is completed by the above procedure. Here, according to the setting of the seat 200, the setting of the seat 200 is not automated, and the use of the single-wafer type seat 200 contributes to downsizing and cost reduction of the dispensing seal device 1. is doing.

Next, the operation of the dispensing seal device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17 as appropriate. 16 and 17 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the dispensing seal device 1. FIG.
First, as shown in FIG. 16A, the sheet 200 is set by the setting method of the sheet 200, and the crystallization plate 100 is placed on the column direction guide 55 and the row direction guide 56 arranged on the table 4. And set in advance along a predetermined position. At this time, the slide portion of the slide pressing portion 2 is positioned as necessary and sufficiently retracted to the start position on the retract side in the row direction, thereby facilitating the work of placing the crystallization plate 100. It has become.

  Next, before starting dispensing, the slide portion of the slide pressing portion 2 is moved from the start position to a predetermined standby position before the first row of wells 101 of the crystallization plate 100 as shown in FIG. Send to. In accordance with the movement to the standby position, the film is fed by being pressed by the film folding portion 15a of the film pressing plate 15 and the release paper folding portion 44 of the first opening / closing bar 43 causes the release paper 202 to be turned into a film. It is peeled off from the adhesive surface 201 according to the feed amount.

Next, the electromagnetic valve for the first air cylinder 14 is switched to air supply, and the first air cylinder 14 is operated, so that the film pressing plate 15 is attached to the upper surface 110 of the crystallization plate 100 as shown in FIG. The film 201 is pressed against the upper surface 110 of the crystallization plate 100. As a result, the adhesive surface of the film 201 is pressed against the upper surface 110 of the crystallization plate 100, and the adhesive surface of the film 201 and the upper surface 110 of the crystallization plate 100 are in close contact (first sealing step).
Next, as shown in FIG. 16 (d), one row of wells 101 of the crystallization plate 100 is dispensed (note that reference numeral 300 in the figure is a dispensing tip). Next, as shown in FIG. 16E, the slide pressing portion 2 is sent by a distance corresponding to one well row.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16 (f), the solenoid valve for the second air cylinder 16 is switched to air supply, the second air cylinder 16 is operated, and the push bar 19 is opposed to the upper surface 110 of the crystallization plate 100. Lower in the direction. At this time, the film pressing pin 20 provided on the lower surface of the push bar 19 passes through the through hole 22 of the film pressing plate 15 and descends by a predetermined distance so that the tip of the film pressing pin 20 is placed on the upper surface of the film 201. Pressed. At this time, since the air whose pressure of the compressor is adjusted to a constant pressure by the air regulator is sent to the second air cylinder 16, the pressing force of the film pressing pin 20 operated by the second air cylinder 16 becomes constant. Yes.

  Here, the contact area of the film pressing pin 20 with respect to the film 201 is smaller than the opening area of the opening 102 of the well 101, and the film pressing pin 20 does not contact the peripheral edge 102 s of the well 101, The film 201 is pressed by being inserted by a predetermined depth to a position below the upper end surface of the opening 102 of the 101, so that the film 201 can be deformed downward in a convex shape. Thereby, each of the plurality of film pressing pins 20 individually presses the film 201 against the peripheral edge portion 102s of each well opening 102 over the entire circumference. Therefore, the independent sealing of each well 101 is more reliably realized (second sealing step).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16G, the next well row is dispensed. Next, as shown in FIG. 17 (a), the electromagnetic valve for the second air cylinder 16 is switched to open to the air atmosphere, and the push bar 19 is raised. Next, as shown in FIG. 17B, the slide portion of the slide pressing portion 2 is sent by a distance corresponding to one row of wells (the same operation as in FIG. 16E). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 17C, the dispensing sealing operation is repeated in the same manner as described above, and sealing is sequentially performed up to the last well row. When the seal is made up to the last well row, the film 201 and the release paper 202 </ b> B come out from between the first fixing bar 42 and the first opening / closing bar 43. Next, as shown in FIG. 17 (d), the electromagnetic valve for the first air cylinder 14 is switched to open to the atmosphere, and the film presser plate 15 is raised. Finally, as shown in FIG. 17E, the slide portion of the slide pressing portion 2 is returned to the start position. Thereafter, the release paper 202B is removed by hand. Note that the slide portion may be returned to the start position after removing the release paper 202B.

Next, the operation and effect of the dispensing seal device 1 and the well opening 102 sealing method will be described.
As described above, according to the dispensing seal device 1, the slide pressing unit 2 capable of attaching the film 201 to the upper surface 110 of the crystallization plate 100 is provided. The slide pressing unit 2 includes the plate surface pressing unit and the well. The plate surface pressing means is configured to cover the openings 102 of the plurality of wells 101 by pressing and pressing the adhesive surface of the film 201 against the upper surface 110 of the crystallization plate 100. Since the adhesive surface of the film 201 is disposed so that it can be attached to the upper surface 110 of the crystallization plate 100, the film 201 is attached to the upper surface 110 of the crystallization plate 100 to seal the opening 102 of each well 101. can do.

  Further, the seal member pressing plate 21 constituting the plate surface pressing means has a plurality of through holes 22 in accordance with the pitch of the wells 101, whereas the push bar 19 constituting the sealing member pressing means is Since the plurality of film pressing pins 20 are inserted into the plurality of through holes 22 of the sealing member pressing plate 21 by a predetermined depth so as to press the film 201 from above, they are pressed by the sealing member pressing plate 21. In this state, the peripheral edge 102s of the opening 102 of each well 101 can be individually pressed over the entire periphery of the film 201 on the upper surface 110 of the plate. That is, according to this dispensing seal device 1, a two-stage seal is performed in which the peripheral edge 102s is individually pressed over the entire circumference while being pressed by the plate surface pressing means and further by the well peripheral edge pressing means. Can do. Therefore, for example, as in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the peripheral edge portion 102s of each opening 102 of each well 101 is more reliably compared with a dispensing seal device that seals by a one-step sealing process using only rollers. Can be sealed.

  Furthermore, according to this dispensing sealing device 1, as a sealing member for sealing the opening 102 of each well 101, the adhesive surface is provided on one surface and the area capable of covering the upper surface 110 of the crystallization plate 100 is provided. Since the film 201 is attached, for example, compared with the technique described in Patent Document 1, for example, a tape-like sheet supply unit and a sheet cutting unit are unnecessary. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the dispensing seal device.

  According to the dispensing seal device 1, the push bar 19 is configured such that the plurality of film pressing pins 20 press the film 201 from above the plurality of through holes 22 of the sealing member pressing plate 21. Therefore, the above-described two-stage sealing can be continuously performed on the well 101 that has been dispensed. Therefore, it is more preferable to efficiently seal the peripheral portion 102s of the opening 102 of each well 101 in two stages without time lag. Further, since the push bar 19 is disposed at a position above the seal member pressing plate 21, for example, compared with a case where the well peripheral edge pressing means is disposed adjacent to the plate surface pressing means in the horizontal direction. This is more suitable for downsizing the sealing device.

  Then, according to the sealing method for the well opening 102 described above, the upper surface 110 of the crystallization plate 100 has an adhesive surface on one surface and has a width that can cover the upper surface 110 of the crystallization plate 100. 200 films 201 are pasted, and when the openings 102 of the plurality of wells 101 are sealed, the adhesive surface of the film 201 is pasted so as to cover the openings 102 of the plurality of wells 101. A second sealing step in which, after the first sealing step, the film 201 is pressed from above each well 101 to individually seal the peripheral portion 102s of the opening 102 of each well 101; Since the entire upper surface of the crystallization plate 100 is covered with the film 201, each well 1 1 as well as sealing the respective opening 102, the peripheral edge portion 102s of each well 101 respective openings 102 that further seals the entire circumference, it is possible to seal the two stages. Therefore, as in the technique described in Patent Document 1, for example, the peripheral edge of the opening of each well can be more reliably sealed as compared with a sealing method using a one-step sealing process using only rollers.

As described above, according to the dispensing sealing device 1, the peripheral edge portion 102s of the opening 102 of each well 101 is more reliably sealed over the entire circumference, and the dispensing sealing device is downsized and reduced in size. Cost can be increased. And according to the sealing method of the well opening part 102 mentioned above, the peripheral part 102s of each opening part 102 of each well 101 can be sealed more reliably over a perimeter.
The dispensing sealing device and the well opening sealing method according to the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. is there.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the example has been described in which the well peripheral edge pressing means is provided at a position above the plate surface pressing means, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the plate surface pressing means and the well peripheral edge pressing means are: Any configuration and arrangement can be adopted as long as two-stage sealing is possible. For example, the plate surface pressing means and the well peripheral edge pressing means may be arranged in parallel adjacent to each other in the column direction. However, in order to efficiently seal the peripheral portion of the opening of each well in two stages without time lag, and to further reduce the size of the dispensing seal device, as in the above-described embodiment, above the plate surface pressing means, It is preferable to provide a structure including well peripheral edge pressing means at the position.

It is explanatory drawing of the crystallization plate which is one Embodiment of the plate which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the sheet | seat 200 which is one Embodiment of the sealing member which concerns on this invention. It is a top view for demonstrating one Embodiment of the dispensing seal apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a front view for demonstrating one Embodiment of the dispensing seal apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a right view for demonstrating one Embodiment of the dispensing seal apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the setting part of the dispensing seal apparatus of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the sheet | seat holding | maintenance part of the dispensing seal apparatus of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the release paper holding | maintenance part of the dispensing seal apparatus of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of a seal | sticker part, The figure is the A section enlarged view in FIG. It is a top view for demonstrating operation | movement of the dispensing seal apparatus of this embodiment. It is a front view for demonstrating operation | movement of the dispensing seal apparatus of this embodiment. It is AA sectional drawing in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the film peeling part of the dispensing seal apparatus of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the film peeling part of the dispensing seal apparatus of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the setting method of the sheet | seat with the dispensing seal apparatus of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the dispensing seal apparatus of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the dispensing seal apparatus of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Dispensing seal device 2 Slide pressing part (seal member pressing means)
3 Set part 4 Table 7 Sheet holding part 9 Base 10 Electric actuator 11 Motor 12 Slide member 13 Slide bar 14 First air cylinder 15 Film pressing plate 16 Second air cylinder 17 Plate member 18 Shaft member 19 Push bar 20 Film pressing pin (Seal member pressing pin)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Seal member press plate 22 Through-hole 24 Sliding member 40 Film peeling part 41 1st post 42 1st fixed bar 43 1st opening / closing bar 44 Release paper folding | turning part 45 Magnet 55 Row direction guide 56 Row direction guide 58 Holding plate 59 Sheet receiving Part 60 Rubber 61 Hinge part 62 Opening and closing plate 63 Sheet holding hook 64 Hook convex part 70 Release paper holding part 71 Second post 72 Second fixing bar 73 Second opening and closing bar 74 Step part 75 Hinge part 76 Release paper holding hook 77 Convex part for hook 78 Rubber 100 Crystallization plate (plate)
101 well 102 (well) opening 103 reservoir well 104 drop well 110 (crystallizing plate) upper surface 200 sheet 201 film (seal member)
202 Release paper 300 Dispensing tip

Claims (3)

An opening for each of the plurality of wells is attached to an upper surface of a plate having a plurality of wells capable of containing liquid by adhering a seal member having an adhesive surface on one surface and a width capable of covering the upper surface of the plate. A dispensing seal device for sealing
A seal member pressing means capable of attaching the seal member to the upper surface of the plate;
The seal member pressing means includes a plate surface pressing means capable of adhering the adhesive surface of the seal member to the upper surface of the plate so as to cover the openings of the plurality of wells, and the seal member from above each well. A dispensing seal device comprising: a well peripheral portion pressing means that can be pressed to individually seal the peripheral portion of the opening of each well. The plate surface pressing means includes a seal member pressing plate having a plurality of through holes adjusted to the pitch between the wells, and the sealing member pressing plate has an adhesive surface of the seal member on an upper surface of the plate. It can be pasted so as to oppose and press to cover the upper surface of the plate,
The well peripheral edge pressing means has a plurality of sealing member pressing pins that can be inserted into the plurality of through holes of the sealing member pressing plate from above, and the plurality of sealing member pressing pins are the sealing member The dispensing sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing sealing device is inserted through a through hole of the pressing plate and inserted by a predetermined depth so as to press the sealing member. An opening for each of the plurality of wells is attached to an upper surface of a plate having a plurality of wells capable of containing liquid by adhering a seal member having an adhesive surface on one surface and a width capable of covering the upper surface of the plate. A method of sealing,
A first sealing step in which the adhesive surface of the sealing member is attached to the upper surface of the plate so as to cover the openings of the plurality of wells; and after the first sealing step, the sealing member from above each well. And a second sealing step of individually sealing the peripheral edge of the opening of each well, and sealing the well opening.

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