JP6845556B2 - Labeling device and test tube preparation device equipped with the labeling device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a label affixing device for affixing an identification label to a test tube accommodating a sample collected in a medical examination or a test, and a test tube preparation device in which the label affixing device is arranged.

When collecting a sample at a hospital, medical institution, university, etc., a test tube for accommodating the sample is used, but in order to organize the collected sample, the test tube is used to identify each sample. An identification label is attached. For example, a test tube (collecting blood vessel) used for collecting blood of a patient is attached with an identification label printed with identification information such as a patient and an examination item. On the other hand, the test tube used for collecting such a sample usually has a spare label on which information such as the serial number of the test tube is printed on the outer surface in advance. Further, the test tube is provided with a non-attached portion in which a spare label is not attached along the longitudinal direction so that the sample contained therein can be visually recognized from the outside. Therefore, when the identification label is attached to the test tube to which the spare label is attached, the identification label is attached over the spare label so that the non-attached portion remains after the identification label is attached. I am trying to do it. As an apparatus for attaching such an identification label to a test tube, for example, the configurations of Patent Documents 1 and 2 have been proposed.

The label stacking device of Patent Document 1 includes a sensor for detecting the edge of a spare label affixed to a test tube in advance and a sensor for detecting the edge of an identification label issued by the label issuing device. The identification label is issued from the label issuing device so that the edge of the detected spare label matches the edge of the identification label. According to such an apparatus, the identification label can be overlaid and attached on the spare label while leaving the non-attached portion of the test tube.

On the other hand, the label affixing device of Patent Document 2 includes a sensor for detecting the edge of the spare label affixed to the test tube in advance, and the information on the edge of the spare label detected by the sensor and the 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 attached on the spare label while leaving the non-attached 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 the edge of the spare label based on the detection information and the diameter information of the test tube. Drive and control the rotating device of the test tube so that it matches the edge. Even in such an apparatus, the identification label can be attached on the spare label while leaving the non-attached portion of the test tube, as in the configuration of Patent Document 1 described above.

Japanese Patent No. 45912166 Japanese Patent No. 5303642

By the way, the configuration of Patent Document 1 described above uses a sensor for detecting the end of the spare label attached to the test tube and a sensor for detecting the end of the identification label issued by the label issuing device. Therefore, there is a problem that the device becomes large due to the arrangement position of each sensor. Further, although some test tubes have different outer diameters, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, since such test tubes having different outer diameters are not considered at all, a test having an outer diameter different from that of a normally used test tube is tested. When a tube is used, there is a problem that the end portion of the identification label is misaligned with the end portion of the spare label and is attached.

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 to detect the end of the identification label, and is identified from the end of the spare label by the end 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 match, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the device, and even for test tubes having different outer diameters, the end of the spare label and the end of the identification label can be separated. The identification label can be affixed with exact matching.

However, since the label affixing device of Patent Document 2 repeatedly executes the operation of affixing the identification label to the test tube, the end of the identification label and the spare label are used when used for a relatively long period of time. There is a problem that the position with the end portion is deviated, and further, this position deviation gradually increases. This is a configuration in which a general labeling device supports a test tube by a support roller and a rotating roller that bring the test tube into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the test tube, and rotates the test tube in the circumferential direction by the rotation of the rotating roller. Therefore, by repeated use over a relatively long period of time, the elasticity of the surface of the support roller and the rotating roller deteriorates, and the mechanical parts that rotate the rotating roller wear, and the support position of the test tube Is due to the deviation. Further, the wear of the mechanical parts described above causes difficulty in controlling the rotation speed of the test tube in a stable manner, so that the positional deviation between the end of the identification label and the end of the spare label becomes apparent. It was a trend.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and is provided with a label affixing device capable of accurately affixing an identification label to a desired position in a test tube even after repeated use over a long period of time, and the label affixing device. It proposes a test tube preparation device that has been used.

The present invention is a substantially rectangular shape in which identification information related to medical treatment or examination is printed on a test tube provided with a spare label attached in advance on the outer peripheral surface and a non-attached portion along the longitudinal direction in which the spare label is not attached. In a label affixing device for affixing a shape identification label on top of the spare label, an information printing means for printing the identification information on the identification label and the test tube are supported, and the test tube is placed in the circumferential direction. The label sending means and the rotation support means for sending the rotating support means to rotate and the identification label printed by the information printing means to the label sticking position to be attached to the outer surface of the test tube supported by the rotation support means. A drive control means for controlling the rotation of the test tube and the delivery of the identification label by the label sending means, and a sensor for detecting one side edge of the test tube rotated by the rotation supporting means in the circumferential direction of the spare label. A circuit interval measuring means for measuring the detection interval of one side edge of the spare label by the sensor during rotation of the test tube is provided, and the drive control means is a test by the rotation supporting means. The label is attached so that the identification label is overlaid on the spare label of the test tube and the non-attached portion remains based on the detection interval measured by the orbital interval measuring means during the rotation of the tube. It is a label affixing device characterized in that it controls the timing of sending out the identification label to a position.

Here, the residual non-attached portion includes not only the entire non-attached portion provided by attaching the spare label but also the fact that the non-attached portion is partially covered with the identification label. .. In the latter case, the non-attached portion of the identification label affixed portion may remain in a form along the longitudinal direction of the test tube so that the sample contained in the test tube can be visually recognized.

In such a configuration, the timing of sending the identification label to the label sticking 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 for each time. Therefore, it is possible to measure the optimum timing according to each test tube. Here, since the detection interval of one side edge of the spare label corresponds to the time required for one rotation of the test tube, the test tubes having different outer diameters can be obtained by measuring the detection interval for each test tube. However, the timing can be measured according to each. Therefore, according to the configuration of the present invention, the identification label can be accurately and stably attached to a desired position where the non-attached portion remains on the spare label even if the test tubes have different outer diameters. it can. Further, even if the above-mentioned mechanical parts are worn by using the label affixing device of the present invention for a relatively long period of time, the detection interval of one side edge of the spare label in the worn state can be set. From the measurement, it is possible to measure the optimum timing according to the wear state. Therefore, according to the configuration of the present invention, even if the support position of the test tube shifts or the rotation speed of the test tube changes, the identification label can be accurately and stably attached to the desired position described above. In addition, for example, even when the rotation speed of the test tube by the rotation support means is appropriately changed according to the usage environment at the site where the label affixing device of the present invention is used, the identification label is accurate as described above. And it can be attached stably.

Further, since the configuration of the present invention only needs to include a sensor for detecting one side edge of the spare label, the above-mentioned conventional sensor for detecting the spare label and the sensor for detecting the identification label are two. It is possible to solve the problem of large size of the device caused by the configuration requiring the sensor of. Further, the configuration of the present invention controls the timing of sending out the identification label in order to superimpose the identification label on the spare label and attach the non-attached portion so as to remain, which is a label sending means. It corresponds to the control of. Therefore, in this configuration, the process for driving and controlling is simplified as compared with the conventional configuration in which both the label printer and the rotating device are driven and controlled based on the diameter information of the test tube. There is also an advantage that the load on the equipment required for processing can be reduced.

In the above-described label affixing device of the present invention, the identification label has a substantially rectangular shape in which the width along the circumferential direction of the test tube is shorter than the outer peripheral length of the test tube, and the drive control means is described above. While the test tube is rotating by the rotation support means, the spare edge of the identification label sent to the label sticking position is detected by the sensor of the circumference interval measuring means based on the detection interval measured by the circulation interval measuring means. A configuration is proposed in which the timing of sending the identification label to the label sticking position is controlled so that the label is stuck so as to be substantially aligned with one side edge of the label. Here, the substantially matching between the sending side edge of the identification label and the one-sided edge of the spare label means that the sending-side edge and the one-sided edge are completely matched, and that the two are slightly deviated from each other. Including both being. For example, sticking the sending side edge of the identification label with a slight displacement from the one side edge of the spare label is also included in the substantially matching of the present invention.

In such a configuration, an identification label whose width dimension is shorter than the outer peripheral dimension of the test tube is attached so that its sending side edge is substantially aligned with one side edge of the spare label. The non-attached portion can be reliably and stably left in the test tube after the label is attached.

In the label sticking device of the present invention described above, the label sending means repeatedly sends out 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 the timing at which one side edge of the spare label attached to the rotating test tube reaches the label attachment position and the transmission side edge of the identification label sent out from the standby position by the label sending means. Based on the sending time required for the identification label to reach the label affixing position from the standby position and the detection interval measured by the lap interval measuring means so that the identification label substantially coincides with the timing of reaching the label affixing position. A configuration is proposed in which the label sending means controls the timing at which the identification label is sent from the standby position.

In such a configuration, since the sending time required for the identification label to reach the label sticking position from the standby position is determined, the timing of sending 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 spare label of the test tube are made to reach the label affixing position substantially at the same time. That is, according to this configuration, the sending side edge of the identification label can be substantially aligned with the one side edge of the spare label with high accuracy, and the identification label can be attached to the test tube.

In the above-described label affixing device of the present invention, the orbital interval measuring means is an optical sensor in which a sensor for detecting one side edge of a spare label is provided with a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, and is rotated by a rotation supporting means. By scanning the outer surface of the test tube inside with the optical sensor along the circumferential direction, detection is performed to detect the spare label and the non-attached part of the test tube based on the amount of light received by the light receiving portion. A process is provided, and when the amount of light received by the light receiving unit changes with respect to the reference light amount value indicating the preliminary label, the time from the start of the change to the return to the reference light amount value exceeds a predetermined threshold value. If it is also small, a configuration including a cancel process that invalidates the change in the amount of light is proposed.

In such a configuration, the spare label and the non-attached 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 and the spare is disabled. This is to enable more accurate detection of one side edge of the label. More specifically, since characters, ruled lines, etc. are generally printed on the spare label, the amount of light received changes due to these, but such a change in the amount of light at the printed portion occurs instantaneously. Therefore, it can be invalidated by the cancellation process. By invalidating the change in the amount of light at the printed portion in this way, the change in the amount of light at the boundary between the spare label and the non-attached portion can be made apparent. It can be detected more accurately and stably. Therefore, according to this configuration, the timing of sending out the identification label can be controlled more accurately.

On the other hand, the present invention includes the above-mentioned label affixing device, and accommodates a plurality of test tubes having a substantially rectangular spare label affixed to the outer peripheral surface in advance, and the accommodating device. It is a test tube preparation device including a tube supply device that transfers a test tube to a label affixing device and supplies the test tube to a support position supported by a rotary support means of the label affixing device.

In such a configuration, a test tube having the identification label attached is prepared by transferring the test tube from the accommodating device to the labeling device by the tube supply device and attaching the identification label to the test tube. Is. Since the test tube preparation device of the present invention is provided with the above-mentioned label affixing device, the above-mentioned effects produced by the label affixing device can be exhibited. Further, even if the present configuration is such that the accommodating device accommodates a plurality of types of test tubes having different outer diameters and the tube supply device selectively transfers one of the test tubes, the label is affixed. The device allows the identification label to be accurately affixed to the supplied test tube at the desired position on top of the spare label and leaving the non-attached portion remaining.

As described above, the label affixing device of the present invention accurately and stably affixes the identification label at a desired position on which the non-attached portion remains on the spare label even if the test tubes have different outer diameters. can do. Further, even if the mechanical parts are worn due to use for a relatively long period of time, the identification label can be accurately attached to the desired position where the non-attached portion remains on the spare label. it can. Therefore, unlike the conventional configuration described above, there is no problem such as the attachment position of the identification label being displaced due to wear of mechanical parts or the like.

Further, since the test tube preparation device of the present invention is provided with the above-mentioned label sticking device, it can exert the same action and effect as the label sticking device. Further, even in a configuration in which a plurality of types of test tubes having different outer diameters are selectively supplied to the label affixing device, each test tube is identified at a desired position on which the non-attached portion remains on the spare label. Labels can be attached accurately.

It is a perspective view of the blood collection tube preparation device 1 of this Example. It is a perspective view of the label sticking apparatus 6. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the label sticking apparatus 6. It is explanatory drawing which shows the route which supplies the collecting tube 101 to a label sticking apparatus 6. It is a block diagram which shows the control circuit of the blood collection tube preparation device 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure which supports the collection tube 101 of the label affixing apparatus 6. It is a perspective view which shows (A) the blood collection tube 101 before the identification label 105 is attached, and (B) the blood collection tube 101 to which the identification label 105 is attached. It is a perspective view which shows the roll paper body 111 which wound the label paper 112. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data which detected the rotating blood collection tube by an optical sensor. It is explanatory drawing which shows (A) data before cancellation processing and (B) data after cancellation processing of the data which detected the preliminary label. It is a flow chart which shows the sticking process of the identification label 105.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the following examples.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the blood collection tube preparation device 1 of this embodiment as viewed from the front side. The blood collection tube preparation device 1 attaches the identification label 105 to the required blood collection tube 101 (see FIG. 7) and discharges the main body 2, and the label-attached blood collection tube 101 discharged from the main body 2 is placed on the tray 121. It is provided with a providing unit 3 to be housed in. In the present embodiment, the blood collection tube preparation device 1 corresponds to the test tube preparation device according to the present invention, and the blood collection tube 101 corresponds to the test tube according to the present invention. Further, in this embodiment, the blood collection tube 101 to which the identification label 105 is attached is referred to as having been labeled.

The main body 2 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 4, and inside the housing 4, accommodating units 5a and 5b for accommodating the blood collection tube 101 and a label for attaching the identification label 105 to the blood collection tube 101 are attached. A plurality of devices 6 are stored. The storage units 5a and 5b and the label affixing device 6 are each unitized and housed inside the housing 4. The accommodating units 5a, 5b and the label affixing device 6 are provided with front panels 9a, 9b, 9c, respectively, in front of the accommodating units 5a, 5b, which hide the inside in the retracted state. Further, a blood collection tube discharge port (not shown) for discharging the labeled blood collection tube 101 is provided on the right side surface of the housing 4, and the label has been attached through the blood collection tube discharge port. The blood collection tube 101 is discharged to the above-mentioned providing unit 3. Further, a monitor 8 for displaying various information is arranged on the housing 4.

The providing unit 3 is installed adjacent to the right side of the main body unit 2, and the blood collection tube 101 discharged from the blood collection tube discharge port is placed in the tray 121 at a position corresponding to the lower right of the blood collection tube discharge port of the main body 2. The blood collection tube accommodation position P is used. The providing unit 3 includes a tray supply device 10 that supplies an empty tray 121 to the blood collection tube accommodating position P, a tray discharge device 11 that discharges the tray 121 that has been stored in the blood collection tube from the blood collection tube accommodation position P, and a blood collection tube 101. It is provided with a non-paste paper printing device 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 empty trays 121 stacked in the tray storage unit 14 to the blood collection tube storage position P one by one by a delivery device (not shown). Further, 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 accommodating position P by the tray discharge device 11. After accommodating the required blood collection tube 101, it is transferred from the blood collection tube storage position P to the tray discharge position Q in front of it. Further, the non-attached paper printing device 13 is arranged above the blood collection tube accommodating position P, prints and cuts a hand-pasted label, a blood collection blood collection instruction, etc., and is placed at the blood collection tube accommodating position P. Drop it on the tray 121.

Further, a control device 7 (see FIG. 5) that controls the operation of the blood collection tube preparation device 1 is arranged below the providing unit 3. The control device 7 receives blood collection preparation information including information on the blood collection subject and the type of blood collection tube 101 used for blood collection from an external management system, and when the blood collection preparation information is received, the label sticking device 6 and the like are operated. The required identification information shown 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 label-attached blood collection tube 101 is discharged from the blood collection tube. Discharge from the outlet. At the same time, the control device 7 makes an empty tray 121 stand by at the blood collection tube accommodating position P, and when the blood collection tube 101 for one blood sampler is accommodated in the tray 121, the tray discharge position from the blood collection tube accommodating position P. The tray 121 is discharged to Q, and the empty tray 121 is supplied to the blood collection tube accommodating position P. Here, as the identification information printed on the identification label 105, there may be information such as the name of the blood sampled person, the patient ID, and the information related to blood collection of the blood sampled person.

In this way, the blood collection tube preparation device 1 affixes the identification label 105 on which the required identification information is printed to the blood collection tube 101 used for blood collection based on the blood collection preparation information transmitted from the outside, and the blood collection subject. One tray 121 accommodates one person's blood collection tube 101. Since the basic configuration of the blood collection tube preparation device 1 is common to the conventionally known configurations, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the configuration of the main body 2 described above will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 1, the above-mentioned storage units 5a and 5b and the label affixing 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-rear direction. Three label affixing devices 6 are housed side by side in the center of the housing 4, and one upper accommodating unit 5a is arranged above each label affixing device 6. Further, one lower accommodating unit 5b is arranged below each label affixing device 6. Here, the lower storage unit 5b and the label affixing device 6 can be slid to a storage position completely stored inside the housing 4 and a drawer position pulled forward from the storage position, respectively. By setting the drawer position, it is possible to carry out the work of inserting the blood collection tube 101 into the lower accommodating unit 5b, the work of replacing the roll paper body 111 described later in the label affixing device 6, and the like. Further, in the housing 4, an opening / closing lid 17 for opening / closing the upper opening of the upper accommodating unit 5a is provided directly above each upper accommodating unit 5a. The work of inserting the blood collection tube 101 into the accommodation unit 5a can be performed.

The upper accommodating unit 5a has a single accommodating portion (not shown) accommodating a large number of collecting blood vessels 101, and a transfer mechanism 21 that takes out one collecting blood collection tube 101 from the accommodating portion and transfers it to the label affixing device 6. (See FIG. 4). Further, the lower accommodating unit 5b is collected from a plurality of accommodating portions (not shown) accommodating a large number of blood collection tubes 101 and a lifting mechanism 22 arranged behind each lower accommodating unit 5b. It is provided with a transfer mechanism 23 that takes out and sends out blood vessels 101 one by one (see FIG. 4). Here, since the upper accommodating unit 5a is provided with a single accommodating portion, it accommodates one type of blood collection tube 101, while the lower accommodating unit 5b accommodates a plurality of compartments partitioned from each other. Since the portions are provided, different types of blood collection tubes 101 can be accommodated in each accommodating portion. Then, the transfer mechanism 23 of the lower accommodating unit 5b selects a blood collection tube 101 from any accommodating portion 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 arranged behind each lower accommodating unit 5b arranged in the lateral direction, and the blood collection tube 101 sent out from the transfer mechanism 23 of each lower accommodating unit 5b. Are lifted one by one upward and transferred to the label affixing device 6. Since the conventionally known configurations can be applied to the upper accommodating unit 5a, the lower accommodating unit 5b, and the lifting mechanism 22, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the above-mentioned label affixing device 6 has a roll holding portion 31 for holding a roll paper body 111 (see FIG. 8) in which the label paper 112 is wound in a roll shape, and the roll paper body 111. A printing portion 32 for printing on each identification label 105 (see FIG. 8) of the label paper 112 pulled out from the label paper 112, an affixing portion 33 for affixing 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 collection tube 101 and a collection unit 35 for winding up the mount 113 from which the identification label 105 has been peeled off are provided. The roll holding portion 31 is provided with a rotating shaft 37 that rotatably supports the roll paper body 111, and the label paper 112 is pulled out from the roll paper body 111 supported by the rotating shaft 37. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the label paper 112 is a long strip-shaped mount 113 on which a plurality of identification labels 105 are arranged in parallel at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction, and each identification label The 105 is temporarily bonded to the mount 113 so as to be peelable. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the printing unit 32 includes a printing device 38 provided with 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 done. Further, the sticking portion 33 has three rollers 41, 42, 43 (see FIG. 6) that support the blood collection tube 101 and rotate it in the circumferential direction, and the blood collection tube 101 at a support position F between the rollers 41 to 43. Is provided with a supply mechanism 45 for supplying the above. The collection tubes 101 are transferred one by one to the supply mechanism 45 by the transfer mechanism 21 or the lifting mechanism 22 of the upper accommodating unit 5a described above. Further, the discharge unit 34 includes a discharge conveyor 40 for receiving the blood collection tube 101 whose support by the rollers 41 to 43 has been released, and the blood collection tube 101 is carried out to the blood collection tube discharge port described above via the discharge conveyor 40. To. Here, the discharge conveyor 40 is a conveyor in the left-right direction arranged directly under the sticking portion 33, and the discharge conveyors 40 arranged in each label sticking device 6 are connected to each other to the blood collection tube discharge port. It forms a transportation route.

Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the sticking portion 33 is provided with a support roller 41, a drive roller 42, and a pressing roller 43. Then, these three rollers 41 to 43 support the blood collection tube 101 by coming into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the blood collection tube 101 supplied via the supply mechanism 45 from three sides. The position of the blood collection tube 101 supported by these three rollers 41 to 43 is the above-mentioned support position F.

The support roller 41 is fixed in position above the support position F and is rotatably provided. Further, the drive roller 42 is fixed at a position diagonally forward of the support position F and is rotated by a motor (not shown). Further, the pressing roller 43 is arranged diagonally behind the support position F so as to be able to move forward and backward in the diagonally front-rear direction, and is adopted at the support position F by setting it as a separated position away 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 from the support and dropped onto the discharge conveyor 40 of the discharge unit 34. Then, by moving the pressing roller 43 diagonally forward from the separated position, the blood collection tube 101 supplied from the supply mechanism 45 is pressed against the support roller 41 and the drive 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 to rotate the blood collection tube 101 around the blood collection tube 101. Can be rotated in a direction.

Further, the supply mechanism 45 supplies the collection tubes 101 transferred from the upper accommodation unit 5a or the lower accommodation unit 5b one by one to the support position F, and the transfer mechanism 21 and the lifting mechanism of the upper accommodation unit 5a. A dish-shaped receiving tray 46 for receiving the collection tube 101 transferred from the 22 and the receiving tray 46 and a solenoid 47 for tilting the receiving tray 46 are provided, and the receiving tray 46 is tilted forward at a required timing by the operation of the solenoid 47. Then, the collecting tube 101 is supplied to the support position F described above.

In the label affixing device 6 of the present embodiment, a mechanism and a supply mechanism 45 of the affixing portion 33 for supporting and rotating the collection tube 101 by the above-mentioned three rollers 41 to 43 have been conventionally known. Since the configuration that is used can be applied, the details will be omitted. Further, since the conventionally known configuration can be applied to the roll holding unit 31, the discharging unit 34, and the collecting unit 35 as well, the details will be omitted. Further, in the present embodiment, the support roller 41, the drive roller 42, and the pressing roller 43 constitute the rotation support means according to the present invention. Further, the upper accommodating unit 5a and the lower accommodating unit 5b constitute an accommodating device according to the present invention. Further, the pipe supply device according to the present invention is configured by the lifting mechanism 22 and the supply mechanism 45 of the label affixing device 6.

Next, a main part of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7A, the blood collection tube 101 is composed of a transparent glass or plastic bottomed cylindrical main tube 101a and a cap body 101b that closes the upper opening of the main tube 101a. Therefore, a spare label 104 on which information such as a serial number (lot No.) is printed is already attached to the outer surface of the main body 101a. The blood collection tube 101 to which the spare label 104 is affixed is housed in the housing units 5a and 5b, and is sequentially supplied to the support position F (see FIG. 4). The spare label 104 has a substantially rectangular shape, and its 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 spare label 104 is attached so that the width direction is along the circumferential direction of the blood collection tube 101, a non-attached portion 102 to which the spare label 104 is not attached is formed along the longitudinal direction thereof. ing. Since the outer surface of the blood collection tube 101 is exposed in the non-attached portion 102, the amount of blood collected in the blood collection tube 101 can be visually recognized.

On the other hand, the identification label 105 has a rectangular shape having a width and a height slightly larger than that of the spare label 104, and is temporarily bonded to the label paper 112 in parallel so as to be peelable (see FIG. 8). ). The identification label 105 has a predetermined dimension in which the width affixed along the circumferential direction of the blood collection tube 101 is shorter than the outer peripheral length of the spare blood collection tube 101 (slightly smaller than the width of the spare label), similarly to the spare label 104. It is set to a large dimension). Each of the identification labels 105 is temporarily adhered to the label paper 112 so that the width direction thereof is along the longitudinal direction of the label paper 112 (see FIG. 8). The identification label 105 of the label paper 112 is attached to the blood collection tube 101 supported at the support position F via the printing device 38 described above (see FIG. 6).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the printing device 38 arranged in the printing unit 32 of the label affixing device 6 is arranged immediately in front of the support position F, and the roll holding unit 31 is provided by the label sending device 39. The above-mentioned identification information is printed on the identification label 105 of the label paper 112 drawn from. Then, the identification label 105 printed by the printing device 38 is sent out by the label sending device 39 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. As a result, the identification label 105 can be attached 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 sticking position G according to the present invention, and the position where the printing device 38 waits for printing is the standby according to the present invention. Position H. Since the label sticking 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, respectively, and the distance 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 sticking position G is repeated, and this operation 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 distance between the identification labels 105 adjacent to each other on the label paper 112 is shorter than the distance between the standby position H and the label sticking position G, the identification label 105 is sent from the standby position H to the label sticking position G. Since the next identification label 105 exceeds the standby position H, the operation of returning the next identification label 105 to the standby position H is performed. That is, the label sending device 39 sends the identification label 105 from the standby position H to the label sticking position G by one sending operation executed to attach the identification label 105 to the collection tube 101 at the support position F, and then The operation of returning the identification label 105 to the standby position H is continuously executed. In the present embodiment, the printing device 38 constitutes the information printing means according to the present invention, and the label paper 112 constitutes the label sending means according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the blood collection tube preparation device 1 of this embodiment is collectively controlled by the control device 7 arranged in the providing unit 3. The label sticking device 6 constituting the blood collection tube preparation device 1 is also controlled by the control device 7. In such an embodiment, the control device 7 constitutes the drive control means according to the present invention, and the label affixing device 6 and the control device 7 constitute the label affixing device according to the present invention.

An operation mode in which the identification label 105 is attached by the label attaching device 6 described above will be described below.
As shown in FIG. 6, the label affixing device 6 has a spare blood collection tube 101 at a position directly below the drive roller 42 and facing the central portion of the blood collection tube 101 supported by the support position F in the longitudinal direction. An optical sensor 51 for detecting the label 104 is arranged. 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 by rotating the blood collection tube 101 at the support position F in the circumferential direction. The optical sensor 51 is connected to the control device 7 described above (see FIG. 5), and the light emitting unit is controlled to emit light by the control device 7, and a signal corresponding to the amount of light received by the light receiving unit is transmitted. Output to the control device 7. Since a conventionally known optical sensor 51 having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit can be applied to the optical sensor 51, the details thereof will be 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 between the spare label 104 and the non-attached portion 102. Can be detected. In this embodiment, the boundary where the non-attached portion 102 is switched to the spare label 104 is detected as one side edge 104a of the spare label 104. Then, the control device 7 time-measures the intervals t1 to t3 for detecting one side edge 104a of the spare label 104 while the blood collection tube 101 is rotating. The detection intervals t1 to t3 are continuously measured a predetermined number of times (for example, three times), and the average value thereof is calculated to obtain the detection interval t of one side edge 104a of the spare label 104. Further, in the present embodiment, when the blood collection tube 101 is supported at the support position F, the control device 7 starts driving the drive roller 42 to rotate a predetermined number (for example, three times), and then the above-mentioned reserve. The operation process of detecting the one-side edge 104a of the label 104 and obtaining the detection interval t is executed. Then, the measurement of the detection interval t is performed for each collection tube 101 rotated at the support position F.

Here, the boundary between the spare label 104 and the non-attached portion 102 is a place where the amount of light received by the light receiving portion suddenly changes significantly, so that it is relatively easy to detect, but in order to detect it with higher accuracy and stability. Is required to be clearly distinguished from other changes in the amount of light. Specifically, since the spare label 104 is printed with characters and ruled lines such as the serial number described above, as shown in FIG. 10 (A), the amount of light received changes with the characters and ruled lines. .. Such a change in the amount of received light due to characters or ruled lines is confusing when detecting the boundary, and may cause erroneous detection of the boundary. Therefore, in this embodiment, the boundary is made apparent by executing a cancel process that invalidates the change in the amount of received light in the characters and the ruled lines. In the cancel process, 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 (circumferential direction of the blood collection tube 101) of the light amount change. However, if it is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the change in the amount of light is invalidated and processed. Here, the reference light amount value y is set as an average value of the light amount detected by the spare label 104 or a light amount value when a non-printed portion (a portion where characters and ruled lines are not printed) of the spare label 104 is detected. obtain. Further, the width x in the scanning direction of the light amount change indicates the time interval from the start of the change from the reference light amount value y to the next return to the reference light amount value y. Then, the threshold value, which is a criterion for determining the width x, is set as a predetermined time value shorter than the time interval for detecting the non-attached portion 102. As shown in FIG. 10B, such a cancellation process can invalidate the change in the amount of light that occurs in the characters and ruled lines of the spare label 104. Therefore, the amount of light received by the optical sensor 51 determines one side edge of the spare label 104. 104a can be detected stably with high accuracy. In the present embodiment, the control device 7 constitutes the orbital 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 sending device 39 sends the identification label 105 from the standby position H to the label sticking position G as described above, and sends the identification label 105 from the standby position H to the label sticking position G for a certain period of time (FIG. 9). (See) is controlled to move. In this embodiment, since the printing device 38 prints the identification label 105 between the standby position H and the label sticking position G, the identification label 105 is placed in the standby position including the printing time on the printing device 38. It is sent from H to the label sticking position G in a certain time. The time it takes for the identification label 105 to reach the label sticking position G from the standby position H is the transmission time w required in the present invention. Here, as described above, the identification label 105 is temporarily adhered to the label paper 112 in the width direction along the longitudinal direction of the label paper 112 (the feeding direction by the label sending device 39). The edge along the width direction of the label paper 112 on the sticking position G side is the delivery side edge 105a according to the present invention. The time until the transmission side edge 105a of the identification label 105 reaches the label sticking position G from the standby position H is the transmission time w.

As described above, the control device 7 time-measures the intervals t1 to t3 for detecting the one side edge 104a of the spare label 104 by the optical sensor 51, and calculates the average as the detection interval t. Then, based on this detection interval t, one side edge 104a of the spare 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 for starting the sending operation of the label sending device 39 is controlled so that the edge 105a and the edge 105a reach the label sticking position G at almost the same time.

More specifically, the arrival timing r at which one side edge 104a of the spare label 104 of the rotating blood collection tube 101 reaches the label affixing position G is obtained from the above detection interval t. Here, the position where 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 at a predetermined angle along the circumferential direction of the blood collection tube 101 with respect to the label attachment position G described above. It is located at a distance (for example, 160 degrees). Therefore, the time required for the blood collection tube 101 to rotate at this angle can be calculated from the detection interval t, and by correcting the detection interval t, one side of the preliminary label 104 during the rotation of the blood collection tube 101. The arrival timing r at which the edge 104a passes through the label sticking position G can be accurately obtained.
Based on the arrival timing r obtained from the detection interval t and the transmission time w required by the label sending device 39 described above, the label sending device 39 obtains the timing s for sending the identification label 105 from the standby position H. Then, the label sending device 39 is sent out at the sending timing s of the identification label 105, so that the timing at which the sending side edge 105a of the identification label 105 reaches the label sticking position G is set to one side of the spare label 104. It can be substantially coincident with the arrival timing r at which the edge 104a reaches the label sticking position G. Normally, the sending time w by the label sending device 39 is longer than the time for making one revolution of the blood collection tube 101 (corresponding to the detection interval t), and is until the identification label 105 reaches the label sticking position G from the standby position H. In addition, the blood collection tube 101 rotates a predetermined number of times (for example, three rotations or four rotations). Therefore, the arrival timing r at which the sending side edge 105a of the identification label 105 and the one side edge 104a of the spare label 104 reach the label sticking position G at the same time starts from the timing s when the sending operation of the label sending device 39 is started. It comes after the one-side edge 104a has passed the label affixing position G a predetermined number of times.

When the one side edge 104a of the spare label 104 and the sending side edge 105a of the identification label 105 reach the label attachment position G at the same timing r in this way, the identification label 105 becomes the blood collection tube 101 and the support roller 41. It is pulled in between and laminated 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 at a position slightly deviated from the other side edge 104b of the spare label 104. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, the non-attached portion 102 remains in the blood collection tube 101 to which the identification label 105 has been attached.

As described above, the label sending device 39 is drive-controlled so as to transfer the identification label 105 from the standby position H to the label sticking position G in a fixed time (sending time w), and the drive is constant. It is kept to be. Further, the drive roller 42 is driven and controlled so that the collecting tube 101 supported at the support position F is rotated at a constant rotation speed, and the drive is kept constant. That is, in this embodiment, in order to match the sending side edge 105a of the identification label 105 with the one side edge 104a of the spare label 104, the driving speed of the label sending device 39 and the driving roller 42 is set. It does not perform any action that would change it.

Next, a series of operations (see FIG. 11) in which the identification label 105 is attached to the blood collection tube 101 and discharged by the blood collection tube preparation device 1 of this embodiment will be described.
When the control device 7 of the blood collection tube preparation device 1 receives the blood collection preparation information from the external management system, one or a plurality of blood collection tubes 101 used for blood collection are labeled from the upper and lower storage 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, a spare label 104 is attached to each blood collection tube 101 in advance (see FIG. 7A).

When the pressing roller 43 is moved from the separated position to support 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 of times (for example, three times), the one side edge 104a of the spare label 104 of the blood collection tube 101 is detected. The control device 7 measures the intervals t1 to t3 at which one side edge 104a of the spare label 104 is detected three times (three rounds of the blood collection tube 101), and calculates the average detection interval t. Then, after this, the arrival timing r at which one side edge 104a of the spare label 104 attached to the rotating blood collection tube 101 reaches the label attachment position G is obtained from the detection interval t, and further, at the arrival timing r. The label sending device 39 obtains the timing s (the timing of sending from the standby position H) so that the identification label 105 reaches the label sticking position G. The control device 7 drives and controls the label sending device 39 at the timing s to start the sending operation, and sends out the identification label 105 waiting at the standby position H toward the label sticking position G. As a result, the identification label 105 is printed with predetermined identification information by the printing device 38 and sent to the label sticking position G. Then, at the timing when the transmission time w elapses from the time of transmission from the standby position H (the timing s), the transmission side edge 105a of the identification label 105 reaches the label affixing position G, and at substantially the same timing r. One side edge 104a of the spare label 104 of the rotating blood collection tube 101 reaches the label affixing position G. As a result, the identification label 105 is overlapped and attached to the spare label 104 by the support roller 41 (see FIG. 7B). By attaching the identification label 105 in this way, the non-attached portion 102 remains in the blood collection tube 101. After that, the control device 7 stops driving the drive roller 42 and moves the pressing roller 43 to the retracted position, so that the labeled blood collection tube 101 is removed from the blood collection tube 101 via the discharge conveyor 40. It is discharged from the tray 121 and is stored in the tray 121 located at the blood collection tube storage position P of the providing unit 3.

By repeatedly executing a series of operations (see FIG. 11) from the supply of the blood collection tube 101 to the support position F via the supply mechanism 45 to the attachment and discharge of the identification label 105, the above description is performed. A predetermined number of blood collection tubes 101 indicated in the blood collection preparation information can be stored in the tray 121 and prepared. In the blood collection tube preparation device 1 of the present embodiment, the identification label 105 is superposed on the spare label 104 and attached to each other by the label attachment device 6 described above, so that the non-attached portion 102 of the blood collection tube 101 remains. The completed blood collection tube 101 allows the amount of blood collected to be visually recognized by the non-attached portion 102 during the blood collection operation.

The control device 7 (see FIG. 5) controls each of the transfer mechanism 21 and the lifting mechanism 22 for transferring the collection tube 101 from the accommodating units 5a and 5b to the supply mechanism 45, controls the operation of the supply mechanism 45, and presses the blood collection tube 101. The advance / retreat movement control of the roller 43, the rotation control of the drive roller 42, the delivery operation control by the label sending 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 of the present embodiment controls the affixing of the identification label 105 to the blood collection tube 101 on one side edge of the spare label 104 affixed to the blood collection tube 101. Since the execution is performed based on the detection interval t of 104a, the identification label 105 is overlapped on the spare label 104 and the non-attached portion 102 remains on the blood collection tubes 101 having various outer diameters. Can be pasted. Therefore, even if the collection tubes 101 having different outer diameters are selectively transferred from the above-mentioned accommodation units 5a and 5b, the detection interval t of each collection tube 101 is measured to identify the collection tubes 101 according to the respective collection tubes 101. Since the timing s for sending out the label 105 can be controlled, the identification label 105 can be attached so that the sending side edge 105a of the identification label 105 substantially matches the one side edge 104a of the spare label 104. Therefore, even if the label-attached blood collection tubes 101 housed in the tray 121 have different outer diameters, the identification label 105 is similarly overlapped on the spare label 104, and the non-attached portion 102 is attached. It remains.

Further, in this embodiment, since the detection interval t of the one side edge 104a of the spare label 104 is measured for each collection tube 101 rotated at the support position F, it is repeatedly used for a relatively long period of time. As a result, even if the elasticity of the surface of each of the rollers 41 to 43 supporting the blood collection tube 101 is weakened or the mechanical parts for rotating the drive roller 42 are worn, the timing s suitable for the situation. Therefore, the identification label 105 can be sent to the label sticking position G. Therefore, even if the support position of the blood collection tube 101 shifts or the rotation speed of the blood collection tube 101 changes due to wear of the mechanical parts or the like, the sending side edge 105a of the identification label 105 is set to one side end of the spare label 104. The identification label 105 can be affixed substantially in line with the edge 104a. Therefore, in the configuration of this embodiment, the identification label 105 can be accurately and stably attached to the blood collection tube 101 without causing the problem that the attachment position of the identification label shifts due to long-term use as in the conventional configuration described above. ..

The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples, and configurations other than the above-mentioned examples can be appropriately modified and implemented within the scope of the gist of the present invention.
For example, the blood collection tube preparation device 1 of the embodiment has a configuration including a plurality of label affixing devices 6, but is not limited to this, and is, for example, a blood collection tube preparation device including one label affixing device. Is also good. Further, the blood collection tube preparation device may have a different number of accommodating units.

Further, the above-described embodiment exemplifies a blood collection tube preparation device (label affixing device) that affixes an identification label to a blood collection tube, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the identification label is affixed to a test tube that houses a sample other than blood. It may be a test tube preparation device (labeling device).

Further, in this embodiment, the blood collection tube preparation device 1 in which the label sticking device 6 is arranged has been illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the label sticking device may exist alone. Similar to the above-described embodiment, such a label affixing device includes a roll holding unit for holding a roll paper body (label paper), a printing unit including a printing device and a label sending device, a support roller, a drive roller, and a pressing roller. A sticking portion and the like provided with the above are provided, and further, a printing device, a label sending device, a driving roller, and a control device for driving and controlling the pressing roller are provided. In the label affixing device, the control device rotates the collection tube at the support position to measure the detection interval of one side edge of the spare label, and the detection interval is measured, similarly to the label affixing device of the above-described embodiment. The timing of sending the identification label to the label affixing position is controlled based on the above. As a result, the identification label can be attached to the blood collection tube as in the above-described example, and the same action and effect as in the example can be obtained.

1 Vacutainer preparation device (test tube preparation device)
5a, 5b Containment unit (accommodation device)
6 Labeling device 51 Optical sensor 101 Blood collection tube 102 Non-sticking part 104 Spare label 104a One side edge 105 Identification label 105a Sending side edge G Label sticking position t Detection interval

Claims (4)

An identification label on which identification information related to medical treatment or examination is printed on a test tube provided with a spare label attached in advance on the outer peripheral surface and a non-attached portion along the longitudinal direction in which the spare label is not attached is attached to the spare. In a label sticking device that sticks on top of a label
An information printing means for printing the identification information on the identification label, and
Rotational support means for supporting the test tube and rotating the test tube in the circumferential direction,
A label sending means that sends out the identification label printed by the information printing means to a label sticking position to be stuck on the outer surface of the test tube supported by the rotation supporting means.
A drive control means for controlling the rotation of the test tube by the rotation support means and the delivery of the identification label by the label delivery means, and
A sensor for detecting one side edge of the spare label in the circumferential direction of the test tube rotated by the rotation support means is provided, and during the rotation of the test tube, one side edge of the spare label by the sensor is provided. It is equipped with a lap interval measuring means that measures the detection interval for a long time.
The drive control means
During the rotation of the test tube by the rotation support means, the identification label is overlaid on the spare label of the test tube based on the detection interval measured by the orbital interval measuring means, and the non-attached portion remains. as state, and are not to control the timing for sending the identification label to the label sticking position,
Further, the lap interval measuring means is
The sensor that detects one side edge of the spare label is an optical sensor equipped with a light emitting part and a light receiving part.
By scanning the outer surface of the test tube being rotated by the rotation support means with the optical sensor along the circumferential direction thereof, the preliminary label and the non-attached portion of the test tube are based on the amount of light received by the light receiving portion. Equipped with a detection process to detect
When the amount of light received by the light receiving unit changes with respect to the reference light amount value indicating the preliminary label in the detection process, the time from the start of the change to the return to the reference light amount value is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. A label affixing device characterized by having a canceling process that invalidates the change in the amount of light. The identification label has a substantially rectangular shape in which the 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, the transmission side edge of the identification label sent to the label sticking position was detected by the sensor of the circumference interval measuring means based on the detection interval measured by the circulation interval measuring means. The label affixing device according to claim 1, wherein the timing of sending out the identification label to the label affixing position is controlled so as to substantially coincide with one side edge of the spare label. The label sending means repeatedly sends out 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 affixing position and the sending side edge of the identification label sent out from the standby position by the label sending means are the label affixing positions. The label sending means is based on the sending time required for the identification label to reach the label sticking position from the standby position and the detection interval measured by the lap interval measuring means so that the timing of reaching the label is substantially the same. The label affixing device according to claim 2, wherein the timing of sending out the identification label from the standby position is controlled. The label affixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is provided.
An accommodating device for accommodating a plurality of test tubes having a substantially rectangular spare label affixed to the outer peripheral surface in advance.
A test tube including a tube supply device for transferring a test tube from the accommodating device to the label affixing device and supplying the test tube to a support position supported by the rotary support means of the label affixing device. Preparation device.

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