JP6951893B2 - Vulnerable object holding device equipped with a guide mechanism - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fragile object holding device provided with a guide mechanism.

In recent years, the development of new regenerative medicine has been promoted as a solution for the treatment of severe heart failure. As an example, a method of applying a sheet-like cell culture prepared by using a temperature-responsive culture dish to which tissue engineering is applied to the surface of the heart in severe myocardial infarction or the like has been attempted. Techniques using sheet-like cell cultures allow large amounts of cells to be safely transplanted over a wide area, such as myocardial infarction (including chronic heart failure associated with myocardial infarction), dilated cardiomyopathy, and ischemic cardiomyopathy. , Especially useful for the treatment of heart disease (eg, heart failure, especially chronic heart failure) with systolic dysfunction (eg, left ventricular systolic dysfunction).

In order to clinically apply such a sheet-shaped cell culture, for example, it is necessary to store the prepared sheet-shaped cell culture in a container together with a preservation solution and transfer it to an intensive care unit or the like where transplantation is performed. However, sheet-shaped cell cultures have low absolute physical strength, and vibrations that occur when transferring containers cause wrinkles, tears, breakage, etc., so advanced technology is required for this transfer work. And you need to be very careful.

Various methods and containers have been developed to meet such needs. For example, the storage container for a film-like structure described in Patent Document 1 below is filled with a storage solution to the extent that a gas layer is not formed, so that the storage solution undulates or flows. As a result, vibration is not transmitted to the membranous tissue, and damage to the membranous tissue can be prevented. However, when such a container is used, there is a risk that air bubbles may remain in the accommodating portion.

Further, Patent Document 2 below describes a packaging container for a culture tissue, which includes a container body, a lid, and an inner tray on which the culture tissue can be placed. In such a packaging container, the culture tissue is placed on the inner tray and stored in the packaging container, and the inner tray operation unit is prepared in the packaging container in advance so that the inner tray can be taken out from the container body. It can be simplified. However, when such a packaging container is used, there is a risk that air bubbles may remain in the packaging container.

Further, Patent Document 3 below describes a package for carrying a cultured cell sheet. By removing air together with a small amount of liquid medium when sealing the package with a lid, even if the cultured cell sheet package shakes during transportation, air bubbles do not move in the liquid medium. It is possible to prevent the cultured cell sheet from shifting or being damaged. However, when such a package is used, there is a risk that air bubbles may remain on the upper wall of the lid.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-130311 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-269327 JP-A-2009-89715

Under these circumstances, in developing a means for maintaining the shape of a fragile substance in a liquid, when air bubbles remain in a container with a lid, they become a moving space for the liquid, resulting in a liquid. I faced problems such as the fragile material inside swinging. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a device for solving such a problem and stably maintaining the shape of a fragile substance in a liquid.

While conducting diligent research to solve the above problems, the present inventors have noticed that it is difficult to make the container completely liquid-tight so that air bubbles do not remain in the container. As a result of further research, it was found that a completely liquid-tight space can be formed without leaving air bubbles by pushing out the gas and liquid in the space inside the container by using the inclination of the lid, and completed the present invention. rice field.

That is, the present invention relates to the following.
[1] A device including a container for accommodating a fragile substance and a lid member for sealing the container, and the lid member has a convex portion protruding toward the space inside the container when attached to the container. However, the horizontal cross-sectional area of the convex portion becomes smaller toward the vertical downward direction, and the convex portion pushes out the gas and liquid in the space inside the container containing the fragile substance and the liquid, and the lid member and the edge portion of the container are brought into close contact with each other. The device that forms a liquid-tight space.
[2] The device according to the above [1], wherein the contact portion of the lid member that is in close contact with the edge of the container is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane of the container.
[3] The device according to the above [1] or [2], wherein the shape of the convex portion is a dome shape having a top.
[4] The lid member further includes a base having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the container, and the base or the container or the base and the container are deformed and fitted into the container to form an inner peripheral surface of the container. The device according to any one of the above [1] to [3], which can be brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the base.

[5] The device according to any one of the above [1] to [4], further including a screwing mechanism for screwing the lid member and the container.
[6] The device according to any one of the above [1] to [5], wherein the lid member has an opening and closing opening.
[7] The device according to any one of the above [1] to [6], wherein the fragile substance is a sheet-like cell culture.
[8] The device according to the above [7], wherein the sheet-shaped cell culture is a laminate.

[9] A device including a container for accommodating fragile substances, a lid member for sealing the container, and a liquid receiving space, and the lid member protrudes toward the space inside the container while being attached to the container. The horizontal cross-sectional area of the convex portion is smaller toward the vertical downward direction, and the convex portion pushes out the gas and liquid in the space inside the container containing the fragile substance and the liquid, and the edge of the lid member and the container. The device, wherein a liquid-tight space is formed by being in close contact with the portion, and the liquid receiving space can receive the liquid extruded by the lid member.
[10] The device according to the above [9], wherein the contact portion of the lid member that is in close contact with the edge of the container is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane of the container.
[11] The device according to the above [9] or [10], wherein the shape of the convex portion is a dome shape having a top.

[12] The device according to any one of [9] to [11] above, wherein the container includes a lower portion and an upper portion having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the lower portion, and the upper portion forms a liquid receiving space.
[13] The device according to the above [12], wherein the container further includes a step portion provided between the upper portion and the lower portion, and the step portion has a tapered shape in which the inner diameter increases from the lower portion to the upper portion.
[14] The device according to any one of [9] to [13] above, wherein the lid member further includes a top plate portion that covers the opening of the container.
[15] The device according to any one of the above [9] to [14], wherein the fragile substance is a sheet-like cell culture.
[16] The device according to the above [15], wherein the sheet-shaped cell culture is a laminate.

[17] A device including a container for accommodating fragile substances, a lid member for sealing the container, and a liquid holding space, in which the lid member protrudes toward the space inside the container in a state of being attached to the container. The horizontal cross-sectional area of the convex portion is smaller toward the vertical downward direction, and the convex portion pushes out the gas and liquid in the space inside the container containing the fragile substance and the liquid, and the edge of the lid member and the container. The device, wherein a liquid-tight space is formed by being in close contact with the portion, and the liquid holding space can hold the liquid extruded by the lid member so as not to return to the container.
[18] The device according to the above [17], wherein the contact portion of the lid member that is in close contact with the edge of the container is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane of the container.
[19] The device according to the above [17] or [18], wherein the shape of the convex portion is a dome shape having a top.

[20] Any one of the above [17] to [19], wherein the container includes an inner portion and an outer diameter side like an annular groove on the outer diameter side of the inner portion, and the outer portion forms a liquid holding space. The device described in.
[21] The device according to the above [20], wherein the inner portion and the outer portion are detachably connected to each other.
[22] The device according to any one of [17] to [21] above, wherein the lid member further includes a top plate portion that covers the opening of the container.
[23] The device according to any one of the above [17] to [22], wherein the fragile substance is a sheet-like cell culture.
[24] The device according to the above [23], wherein the sheet-shaped cell culture is a laminate.

[25] A device including a container for accommodating fragile substances, a lid member for sealing the container, and a guide mechanism, and the lid member projects toward the space inside the container while being attached to the container. It has a convex portion, and the horizontal cross-sectional area of the convex portion becomes smaller toward the vertical downward direction, and the convex portion pushes out the gas and liquid in the space inside the container containing the fragile substance and the liquid, and the lid member and the edge of the container. The device, which forms a liquid-tight space by being in close contact with the container, and the guide mechanism can guide the lid member horizontally with respect to the container by coordinating the lid member and the container.
[26] The device according to the above [25], wherein the contact portion of the lid member that is in close contact with the edge of the container is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane of the container.
[27] The device according to the above [25] or [26], wherein the shape of the convex portion is a dome shape having a top.

[28] The device according to any one of the above [25] to [27], wherein the guide mechanism is a screwing mechanism between the lid member and the container.
[29] The device according to any one of [25] to [28] above, wherein the guide mechanism is a sliding mechanism between a cylindrical skirt wall hanging from the peripheral edge of a lid member and an outer peripheral surface of a container.
[30] The device according to the above [29], wherein the inner peripheral surface of the tubular skirt wall and the outer peripheral surface of the container are screwed together.
[31] The device according to any one of the above [25] to [30], wherein the fragile substance is a sheet-like cell culture.
[32] The device according to the above [31], wherein the sheet-shaped cell culture is a laminate.

[33] A fragile material transfer kit for transporting fragile materials.
An inner container for storing fragile materials and
The inner lid member that seals the inner container and
An outer container for accommodating the inner container and
Includes an outer lid member that seals the outer container,
The inner lid member has a convex portion that protrudes toward the inner space of the container when attached to the inner container, and the horizontal cross-sectional area of the convex portion becomes smaller toward the vertical downward direction, and the convex portion holds fragile substances and liquids. The fragile material transfer kit for forming a liquid-tight space by extruding the gas and liquid in the contained container inner space and bringing the inner lid member and the edge of the inner container into close contact with each other.
[34] The fragile material transfer kit according to the above [33], wherein the contact portion of the inner lid member that is in close contact with the edge of the inner container is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane of the inner container.
[35] The fragile material transfer kit according to the above [33] or [34], wherein the shape of the convex portion is a dome shape having a top.

[36] The above [33] to [35], wherein the outer container functions as a liquid holding space that can contain the liquid extruded by the inner lid member and hold the liquid so as not to return to the inner container. The fragile material transfer kit described in any one.
[37] The fragile substance transfer kit according to any one of [33] to [36] above, wherein the inner container can be fixed in the outer container.
[38] The fragile material transfer kit according to any one of the above [33] to [37], wherein the inner lid member can be fixed to the outer lid member.
[39] The fragile substance transfer kit according to any one of the above [33] to [38], wherein the fragile substance is a sheet-shaped cell culture.
[40] The device according to the above [39], wherein the sheet-shaped cell culture is a laminate.

According to the device of the present invention, since a liquid-tight space can be efficiently formed by a simple work and a simple mechanism, there are great merits in terms of workability and manufacturing cost. Further, since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the bubbles do not move in the container due to the shaking of the container to damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-shaped cell culture, air bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be lost. Therefore, it can be stored for a long period of time while maintaining the shape of the fragile substance in the liquid and preventing deformation.

Further, since the device provided with the liquid receiving space of the present invention can receive the liquid extruded by the lid member, it does not contaminate the surroundings. Therefore, it is suitable for use in a place where cleanliness is strictly controlled, such as a bioclean room used for preparing a sheet-shaped cell culture. Further, the device provided with the liquid holding space of the present invention does not allow the liquid extruded by the lid member to return to the inside of the container, which not only makes it difficult for the liquid to flow, but also prevents contamination of the sheet-like cell culture. Can be done.

Furthermore, in the device provided with the guide mechanism of the present invention, the lid member can be attached / detached horizontally to / from the container, so that the attachment / detachment work of the operator can be made uniform. Since the kit of the present invention can transfer the inner container and the inner lid member without exposing them to the outside air, the cleanliness of the intensive care unit where the sheet-shaped cell culture is used is strictly controlled. Suitable for use in places where

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device according to the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the first modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the second modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the kit according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

One aspect of the present invention is a device including a container for accommodating a fragile substance and a lid member for sealing the container, and the lid member projects toward the space inside the container in a state of being attached to the container. It has a convex portion, and the horizontal cross-sectional area of the convex portion becomes smaller toward the vertical downward direction, and the convex portion pushes out the gas and liquid in the space inside the container containing the fragile substance and the liquid, and the lid member and the edge of the container. The present invention relates to the device, which forms a liquid-tight space by being in close contact with the device.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method of maintaining the shape of a fragile substance in a liquid in a container, preparing a container containing the fragile substance and the liquid, and a lid member for sealing the container. The lid member is prepared, and the convex portion of the lid member has a convex portion that protrudes toward the space inside the container when attached to the container, and the horizontal cross-sectional area of the convex portion is smaller toward the vertical downward direction. The present invention relates to the above method, which comprises forming a liquid-tight space by extruding the gas and liquid in the space inside the container and bringing the lid member into close contact with the edge of the container.

The fragile object in the present specification refers to an object having low physical strength and which may be torn, damaged, deformed or the like due to shaking of a liquid or the like. Examples of such an object include an object having a thin wall portion, an object having a band shape, an object having a sheet shape, and the like. The object having such a sheet shape is not particularly limited, but is a sheet-like structure, for example, a membrane tissue on a flat membrane made of a biological material such as a sheet-like cell culture, or a plastic, paper, woven cloth, or non-woven fabric. , Films of various materials such as metals, polymers and lipids. Of these, those that are persistent in liquid and those that are persistent in liquid are preferable. The sheet-like structure may be polygonal or circular, and may or may not have a uniform width, thickness, diameter, and the like. As the sheet-like structure in the present invention, only one sheet may be used in a single layer state, or two or more sheets may be used in a laminated state. In the latter case, the layers of the laminate may or may not be connected to each other, and if they are connected, whether all the overlapping parts are connected or partially connected. good.

In the present specification, the sheet-like cell culture refers to a sheet-like culture in which cells are connected to each other to form a sheet. The cells may be linked to each other directly (including those via cell elements such as adhesion molecules) and / or via intervening substances. The intervening substance is not particularly limited as long as it is a substance capable of at least physically (mechanically) connecting cells to each other, and examples thereof include an extracellular matrix. The mediator is preferably derived from cells, particularly from the cells that make up the sheet-like cell culture. The cells are at least physically (mechanically) connected, but may be more functionally, for example, chemically or electrically connected. The sheet-like cell culture may be composed of one cell layer (single layer) or two or more cell layers (laminated (multilayer), for example, two layers, three layers, four layers. Layers, 5 layers, 6 layers, etc.) may be used. Further, the sheet-shaped cell culture may have a three-dimensional structure having a thickness exceeding the thickness of one cell without showing a clear layered structure of the cells. For example, in the vertical cross section of a sheet-shaped cell culture, cells may be present in a non-uniformly (for example, mosaic-like) arrangement without being uniformly aligned in the horizontal direction.

The sheet cell cultures herein are composed of any cells that can form the above structures. Examples of such cells include, but are not limited to, adherent cells (adherent cells). Adhesive cells include, for example, adherent somatic cells (eg, myocardial cells, fibroblasts, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, hepatocytes, pancreatic cells, kidney cells, adrenal cells, root membrane cells, gingival cells, bone membrane cells, skin. Cells, synovial cells, chondrocytes, etc.) and stem cells (eg, tissue stem cells such as myoblasts, heart stem cells, embryonic stem cells, pluripotent stem cells such as iPS (induced pluripotent stem) cells, mesenchymal stem cells, etc.) And so on. Somatic cells may be differentiated from stem cells, especially iPS cells. Non-limiting examples of cells capable of forming a sheet-like cell culture include, for example, myoblasts (eg, skeletal myoblasts), mesenchymal stem cells (eg, bone marrow, adipose tissue, peripheral blood, skin, hair roots). , Muscle tissue, endometrial membrane, placenta, umbilical cord blood, etc.), myocardial cells, fibroblasts, heart stem cells, embryonic stem cells, iPS cells, synovial cells, chondrocytes, epithelial cells (eg, oral mucosal epithelium) Cells, retinal pigment epithelial cells, nasal mucosal epithelial cells, etc.), endothelial cells (eg, vascular endothelial cells, etc.), hepatocytes (eg, hepatic parenchymal cells, etc.), pancreatic cells (eg, pancreatic islet cells, etc.), renal cells, adrenal Examples thereof include cells, root membrane cells, gingival cells, bone membrane cells, skin cells and the like. In the present specification, those forming a monolayer cell culture, such as myoblasts, are preferable, and skeletal myoblasts are particularly preferable.

The cells can be derived from any organism that can be treated with cell culture. Such organisms include, but are not limited to, for example, humans, non-human primates, dogs, cats, pigs, horses, goats, sheep and the like. Further, although only one type of cell may be used for forming the sheet-shaped cell culture, two or more types of cells may be used. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when there are two or more types of cells forming a cell culture, the ratio (purity) of the most abundant cells is 65% or more at the end of cell culture production, for example, in the case of skeletal myoblasts. It is preferably 70% or more, more preferably 75% or more.

The sheet-shaped cell culture in the present invention may be a sheet-shaped cultured tissue obtained by seeding and culturing cells in a scaffold (scaffold at the time of cell culture), but preferably constitutes a cell culture. It consists only of cell-derived substances and does not contain any other substances.
The sheet cell culture may be produced by any known technique.

In one aspect of the invention, the sheet-like cell culture is a sheet-like skeletal myoblast culture. This is because the sheet-like skeletal myoblast culture is so fragile that it breaks under its own weight when a part of it is grabbed, so that it cannot be transferred by itself, and once folded, it returns to its original shape. This is because it is extremely difficult to maintain the sheet shape in the liquid.

In the present specification, the container is not particularly limited as long as it can contain a fragile substance, a liquid, or the like inside and the liquid does not leak, and any container including a commercially available container can be used. As the material of the container, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, Teflon (registered trademark), polyethylene terephthalate, polymethylmethacrylate, nylon 6,6, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose, silicon, polystyrene, glass, polyacrylamide, polydimethylacrylamide, metal ( For example, iron, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass) and the like, but are not limited thereto. In addition, the container preferably has at least one flat bottom surface for maintaining the shape of the fragile material, and examples thereof include, but are not limited to, petri dishes, cell culture dishes, and cell culture bottles. The area of the flat bottom surface is not particularly limited, but is typically 1.13 to 78.5 cm ² , preferably 12.6 to 78.5 cm ² , and more preferably 9.1 to 60.8 cm ² . ..

In the present specification, the liquid in the container is composed of at least one kind of component, and the component is not particularly limited, but is composed of, for example, a liquid such as water, an aqueous solution, a non-aqueous solution, a suspension, and an emulsion. ..
The liquid or liquid in the present specification may be a fluid having fluidity as a whole, and may include a solid substance such as a cell scaffold or other non-liquid components such as air bubbles.

The components constituting the liquid in the container are not particularly limited as long as they have little effect on fragile substances. When the fragile substance is a membrane made of a biological material, the components constituting the liquid in the container are biocompatible, that is, in biological tissues and cells from the viewpoint of biological stability and long-term storage stability. On the other hand, those that do not cause undesired effects such as inflammatory reaction, immune reaction, and toxic reaction, or at least have a small effect, are preferable, and for example, water, physiological saline, and physiological buffer (for example, HBSS, PBS, EBSS, Hepes). , Sodium bicarbonate, etc.), medium (eg, DMEM, MEM, F12, DMEM / F12, DME, RPMI1640, MCDB, L15, SkBM, RITC80-7, IMDM, etc.), sugar solution (scrose solution, Filel-paque (registration) Trademark) PLUS, etc.), seawater, serum-containing solution, lenografin (registered trademark) solution, metrizamide solution, meglumin solution, glycerin, ethylene glycol, ammonia, benzene, toluene, acetone, ethyl alcohol, benzol, oil, mineral oil, animal Fats, vegetable oils, olive oils, colloidal solutions, liquid paraffins, terepine oils, flaxseed oils, castor oils and the like can be mentioned.

When the fragile substance is a sheet-shaped cell culture, the components constituting the liquid in the container can stably store the cells, contain the minimum oxygen and nutrients necessary for cell survival, and contain the cells. Those that are not destroyed by osmotic pressure or the like are preferable, and for example, physiological saline, physiological buffer (for example, HBSS, PBS, EBSS, Hepes, sodium bicarbonate, etc.), medium (for example, DMEM, MEM, F12, DMEM / F12, etc.) Examples include, but are not limited to, DME, RPMI1640, MCDB, L15, SkBM, RITC80-7, IMDM, etc.), sugar solution (sucrose solution, Cellul-buffer PLUS®, etc.) and the like.

The amount of liquid in the container is such that the fragile material can be held with the lid member attached to the container, and the liquid volume formed between the bottom of the container and the top of the lid member causes the fragile material to shake. The height is not particularly limited as long as it does not move. For example, for a sheet-shaped skeletal myoblast culture having a diameter of about 10 mm, the liquid volume is 1 mm to 20 mm, and for a sheet-shaped skeletal myoblast culture having a diameter of about 20 mm, the liquid bulk is 9.1 mm to. For a sheet-like skeletal myoblast culture having a diameter of 60.8 mm and a diameter of about 50 mm or more, the liquid volume is appropriately adjusted according to the diameter of the sheet-like skeletal myoblast culture so as to have a liquid volume of 22.75 mm or more. In one aspect of the present invention, the sheet-like cell culture has a diameter of about 35 to 55 mm and an area of 6 cm ² or more. The liquid volume is, for example, 1.0 mm to 20.0 mm regardless of the diameter of the sheet-shaped cell culture.

In the present specification, the lid member is not particularly limited as long as it seals the container. Examples of the material of the lid member include polyethylene, polypropylene, Teflon (registered trademark), polyethylene terephthalate, polymethylmethacrylate, nylon 6,6, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose, silicon, polystyrene, glass, polyacrylamide, polydimethylacrylamide, and metal. (For example, iron, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass) and the like, but are not limited thereto.

In the present specification, the shapes of the lid member and the container are not particularly limited as long as the lid member and the container can be engaged with each other and a closed space can be formed by such engagement. For example, when the container is a general-purpose petri dish, it is preferable that the shape of the lid member is circular. Further, the lid member and / or the container may be made of a light-transmitting material so that the state of fragile substances contained in the container and the presence or absence of air bubbles in the liquid can be confirmed.

In the present specification, the "state in which the lid member is attached to the container" means a state in which the lid member is attached to the container and the lid member and the container are in close contact with each other. Further, the “space inside the container” refers to a storage space for a container having a flat surface capable of storing liquids, gases, fragile substances, and the like. Therefore, the "convex portion that protrudes toward the space inside the container when attached to the container" means that the gas or liquid in the space inside the container is extruded by the volume of the convex portion while attached to the container. .. Further, the “edge of the container” refers to the edge of the container that constitutes the space inside the container. Furthermore, "sealing the container" means sealing the space inside the container.

In the present specification, the convex portion of the lid member means, for example, a protruding portion or a bulging portion of the lid member, that is, a non-flat portion. The convex portion protruding toward the inner space of the container means that the convex portion protrudes to the extent that the liquid or gas in the inner space of the container can be pushed out. The size of the convex portion can be freely set according to the liquid volume and the liquid volume.

In the present specification, the horizontal cross-sectional area of the convex portion means, for example, the area of the two-dimensional cross section that appears when the convex portion is cut at the liquid surface in a state where the convex portion is immersed in a liquid. Therefore, the horizontal cross-sectional area of the convex portion is smaller as it goes vertically downward, and when the convex portion is immersed in the liquid while being lowered vertically downward from above the liquid, the contact area between the convex portion and the liquid gradually increases. Say that.
In one aspect of the present invention, the convex portion can have a dome shape having a top portion, and is preferably designed so that the top portion of the convex portion and the center line of the lid member intersect. Examples of the curved surface shape of the convex portion include, but are not limited to, a hyperboloidal surface shape, a parabolic surface shape, a hemispherical surface shape, a conical surface shape, and a pyramidal surface shape.
As used herein, the fragile material is retained in the liquid in a container containing the liquid. The position of the fragile material in the liquid is not particularly limited, but it is arranged at a position where the lid member (or expansion member) and the fragile material do not come into contact with each other in a state where the lid member is attached to the container to form a closed space ( Or you may contact). Preferably, the fragile material is placed on the bottom surface of the container, near the bottom surface, or the like in the liquid of the container.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a device according to a first modification of the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a second modification of the first embodiment. It is a perspective view of the device which concerns on an example. In each drawing of the present application, the size of each member is appropriately emphasized for ease of explanation, and each member in the drawing does not indicate an actual size.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the container 2 and the lid member 3 that seals the container 2. The container 2 is a general-purpose petri dish having an edge portion 21 and constitutes a space inside the container that can accommodate a fragile object S or the like. The lid member 3 can be brought into close contact with the edge 21 of the container 2 to seal the inside of the container 2. The lid member 3 includes a convex portion 31 that protrudes toward the inner space of the container 2 in a state of being attached to the container 2. The shape of the convex portion 31 is a circular dome shape having a top portion intersecting with the center line of the lid member. That is, the horizontal cross-sectional area of the convex portion 31 is circular, and becomes smaller toward the vertical downward direction, and the curved surface of the convex portion 31 has a parabolic shape. Further, the lid member 3 includes a base portion 32 extending downward from the top portion 33 of the lid member 3 and located between the top portion 33 and the convex portion 31. The base portion 32 has a cylindrical shape, and its outer diameter is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the inner diameter of the container 2.

As shown in FIG. 1B, when the device 1 is used, the liquid L and the fragile substance S are stored in the container 2, and the lid member 3 is attached to the container 2. When attaching the lid member 3, the base portion 32 is grasped and the convex portion 31 is pushed into the space inside the container, and the lid member 3 is inserted into the container 2. When the convex portion 31 is pushed into the inner space of the container, the gas in the inner space of the container is first pushed out into the outer space of the container, and when all the gas is pushed out, the liquid L is then pushed out. The amount of the liquid L is adjusted in advance so that the close contact between the lid member 3 and the container 2 occurs immediately after the liquid L is slightly extruded after all the gas has been extruded.

Since the close contact portion of the lid member 3 (in this case, the upper end portion of the convex portion 31) that is in close contact with the edge portion 21 of the container 2 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane of the container 2, buoyancy is likely to be applied to the gas, and the gas is easily applied. It can be pushed out reliably. Further, due to such an inclination, when the lid member 3 is inserted into the container 2, the distance between the outer circumference of the lid member 3 and the inner circumference of the container 2 gradually decreases, so that the liquid L is gently pushed out into the outer space of the container. It is possible to suppress the flow of the liquid L in the container 2.

Further, since the shape of the convex portion 31 is a dome shape having a top, when the convex portion 31 is immersed in the liquid L, the top having a small area first contacts the liquid surface, and then the contact area gradually increases. Therefore, the waviness of the liquid L in the container 2 can be minimized. Further, since the shape of the convex portion 31 is a circular dome shape having a top portion intersecting with the center line of the lid member, the liquid L is uniformly extruded radially and uniformly along the circular dome. Therefore, the liquid L in the container 2 does not move in the radially biased direction, and as a result, the flow of the liquid L in the container 2 can be suppressed.

When using the fragile substance S, the fragile substance S immersed in the liquid L in the container 2 is taken out and used by grasping the base portion 32 and removing the lid member 3 from the container 2. When removing the lid member 3, the flow of the liquid L can be suppressed by gently removing the lid member 3 while inclining the container 2 with the container 2 fixed.

As described above, according to the device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, since the liquid-tight space can be efficiently formed by a simple work and a simple mechanism, there are great merits in terms of workability and manufacturing cost. be. Further, since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the bubbles do not move in the container due to the shaking of the container to damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-shaped cell culture, air bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be lost. Therefore, it can be stored for a long period of time while maintaining the shape of the fragile substance in the liquid and preventing deformation.
In particular, since the lid member 3 can be easily attached to a commercially available petri dish, it is highly versatile. Further, when air bubbles are present in the liquid in the container 2, the air bubbles are efficiently pushed out together with the liquid along the curved surface of the convex portion 31 to the outer space of the container, so that the space inside the container can be made a completely liquid-tight space. .. As a result, the reliability of the device that retains the shape of the fragile material in the liquid is improved.

The present embodiment is not limited to this, and those skilled in the art can design devices having different configurations and shapes by preferably combining the configurations and shapes of the devices. For example, by making the outer diameter of the base 32 of the lid member 3 smaller than the inner diameter of the container 2, the liquid extruded by the convex portion 31 of the lid member 3 is formed in the space formed between the base 32 and the container 2. You may accept it. As a result, the base 32 of the lid member 3 functions as a liquid receiving space, and the liquid L does not flow out from the container 2 and is hygienic.

Next, a first modification of the device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, the differences from the first embodiment will be described in detail, and the same matters will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the device 1 according to the first modification includes the container 2 and the lid member 3 that seals the container 2. The lid member 3 is made of a deformable elastic body, the convex portion 31 has a conical shape (tapered shape), and the base portion 32 has a cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the base portion 32, that is, the outer diameter of the upper end portion of the convex portion 31, is larger than the inner diameter of the container 2.

As shown in FIG. 2B, when the lid member 3 is attached, the tapered portion of the convex portion 31 is pressed against the edge portion 21 of the container 2 to deform the convex portion 31, and then the base portion 32 is deformed to deform the lid member 3. Is fitted into the container 2. At this time, since the portion of the lid member 3 in contact with the edge portion 21 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane of the container 2, the lid member 3 can be efficiently deformed simply by pressing the lid member 3 against the edge portion 21. can. Further, since the outer peripheral surface of the deformed base portion 32 and the inner peripheral surface of the container 2 are in close contact with each other, the adhesion between the lid member 3 and the container 2 is improved.

As described above, according to the first modification of the device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the liquid-tight space can be efficiently formed by a simple work and a simple mechanism, so that workability and manufacturing cost can be improved. There is a big merit in that. Further, since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the bubbles do not move in the container due to the shaking of the container to damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-shaped cell culture, air bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be lost. Therefore, it can be stored for a long period of time while maintaining the shape of the fragile substance in the liquid and preventing deformation. Further, since the adhesion between the lid member 3 and the container 2 is further enhanced, the lid member 3 does not accidentally come off from the container 2, and as a result, the reliability as a device for maintaining the shape of a fragile object in a liquid is achieved. Is further improved.

This modification can have an additional mechanism, for example, the lid member 3 can be screwed to the container 2 by providing a screwing mechanism on the outer peripheral surface of the base 32 and the inner peripheral surface of the container 2. You may do so. By using such a screwing mechanism, the attachment / detachment work of the lid member 3 can be controlled, and the attachment / detachment work by the operator can be made uniform. This makes it possible to prevent the container 2 from vibrating, which may occur due to the forced attachment / detachment of the lid member 3 by the operator. The screwing mechanism also functions as a guide mechanism that allows the lid member 3 and the container 2 to cooperate with each other so that the lid member 3 can be attached horizontally to the container 2. As a result, as described above, when the lid member 3 is immersed in the liquid L, the liquid L is uniformly extruded radially and uniformly along the circular dome.

Next, a second modification of the device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, the differences from the first embodiment will be described in detail, and the same matters will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the device 1 according to the second modification includes the container 2 and the lid member 3 that seals the container 2. The lid member 3 has a bowl shape in which the top portion 33 is open, and includes a handle portion 34 that crosses the opening portion of the lid member 3. The convex portion 31 of the lid member 3 has a circular dome shape, and an opening / closing opening 35 that can be opened / closed is provided at the top of the convex portion 31. In this modification, the lid member 3 does not have a base 32.

As shown in FIG. 3B, when the lid member 3 is attached to the container 2, the handle portion 34 of the lid member 3 is gripped with the opening 35 closed, and the lid member 3 is inserted into the container 2. When the lid member 3 is removed from the container 2, the opening 35 is opened to allow the liquid L to leak into the internal space of the lid member 3. By doing so, the liquid-tight state in the container 2 can be released, and the lid member 3 can be easily removed from the container 2.

As described above, according to the second modification of the device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the liquid-tight space can be efficiently formed by a simple work and a simple mechanism, so that workability and manufacturing cost can be improved. There is a big merit in that. Further, since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the bubbles do not move in the container due to the shaking of the container to damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-shaped cell culture, air bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be lost. Therefore, it can be stored for a long period of time while maintaining the shape of the fragile substance in the liquid and preventing deformation.
In particular, since the liquid-tight state in the container 2 can be easily released, it is possible to suppress the generation of vibration of the container 2 and the flow of the liquid L due to, for example, the forcible removal of the lid member 3 of the operator. Further, by using the handle portion 34 to attach / detach the lid member 3 to / from the container 2 while rotating it, the vertical vibration of the container 2 can be suppressed. As a result, the reliability of the device that retains the shape of the fragile material in the liquid is further improved.

In this modification, the opening 35 has been described as being closed when the lid member 3 is attached to the container 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, when there is a large amount of liquid L in the container 2, the lid member 3 is used. A part of the liquid L can be discharged into the lid member 3 while opening and closing the opening 35 as appropriate when the liquid L is attached to the container 2. As a result, the amount of liquid L flowing out of the container 2 can be adjusted, which is hygienic. Further, by making the height of the container 2 sufficiently larger than the height of the lid member 3, the liquid L is guided not in the outer direction of the edge portion of the container 2 but in the inner direction, that is, in the bowl portion of the lid member 3, and the lid member 3 may be used as the liquid receiving space. At this time, the lid member 3 may be removed while the opening 35 is closed so that the liquid L is not returned to the container 2 and the lid member 3 is used as the liquid holding space.

Another aspect of the present invention is a device comprising a container for accommodating fragile substances, a lid member for sealing the container, and a liquid receiving space, wherein the lid member is inside the container in a state of being attached to the container. It has a convex portion that protrudes toward the space, and the horizontal cross-sectional area of the convex portion becomes smaller toward the vertical downward direction, and the convex portion pushes out the gas and liquid in the container space containing the fragile substance and the liquid and the lid. The device relates to said device, wherein the member and the edge of the container are in close contact with each other to form a liquid-tight space, and the liquid receiving space can receive the liquid extruded by the lid member.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the first modification of the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a second modification of the second embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the device which concerns on an example. In each drawing of the present application, the size of each member is appropriately emphasized for ease of explanation, and each member in the drawing does not indicate an actual size.
Further, in the figure, the same configurations as those of the device 1 according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the differences from the first embodiment will be described in detail below. , The description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the device 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes the container 2A and the lid member 3 that seals the container 2A. The container 2A is a bottomed cylindrical container including an upper portion 22 and a lower portion 23, and the lower portion 23 constitutes a space inside the container that can accommodate a fragile substance S or the like. The inner diameter of the upper portion 22 is larger than the inner diameter of the lower portion 23, and a step portion 24 is provided at the boundary between the upper portion 22 and the lower portion 23. The inner diameter of the lower portion 23 of the container 2A is substantially the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the base portion 32 of the lid member 3. The inner diameter of the upper portion 22 of the container 2A is larger than the outer diameter of the base portion 32 of the lid member 3.

As shown in FIG. 4B, when the device 1A is used, the liquid L and the fragile substance S are stored in the lower part 23 of the container 2A, the lid member 3 is attached to the lower part 23 of the container 2A, and the convex portion 31 is the space inside the container. Push into. The liquid L extruded from the space inside the container is received in the space between the upper portion 22 of the container 2A and the base 32 of the lid member 3, so that the liquid L does not flow out from the container 2A. That is, the upper portion 22 of the container 2A functions as a liquid receiving space. Therefore, by adjusting the liquid volume and volume in advance so that the volume of the liquid extruded from the container 2A does not become larger than the volume of the liquid receiving space, the liquid is prevented from leaking out of the container 2A. Is preferable. When using the fragile substance S, the fragile substance S immersed in the liquid L in the container 2A is taken out and used by grasping the base portion 32 and removing the lid member 3 from the container 2A.

As described above, according to the device 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention, since the liquid-tight space can be efficiently formed by a simple work and a simple mechanism, there are great merits in terms of workability and manufacturing cost. be. Further, since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the bubbles do not move in the container due to the shaking of the container to damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-shaped cell culture, air bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be lost. Therefore, it can be stored for a long period of time while maintaining the shape of the fragile substance in the liquid and preventing deformation.
In particular, since the liquid extruded from the space inside the container is received by the liquid receiving space, it does not contaminate the surroundings. Therefore, it is suitable for use in a place where the cleanliness is strictly controlled, such as a bioclean room used for preparing a sheet-shaped cell culture. As a result, the reliability of the device that retains the shape of the fragile material in the liquid is further improved.

Next, a first modification of the device 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, the differences from the second embodiment will be described in detail, and the same matters will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the first modification of the device 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes the container 2A and the lid member 3 that seals the container 2A. The inner diameter of the upper portion 22 is larger than the inner diameter of the lower portion 23, and a step portion 24A is provided at the boundary between the upper portion 22 and the lower portion 23. The step portion 24A has a tapered shape in which the inner diameter increases from the lower portion 23 to the upper portion 22, that is, a tapered shape that expands toward the opening of the container 2A. In this modification, the outer diameter of the lid member 3 is larger than the inner diameter of the lower portion 23 of the container 2A.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when the device 1A is used, the liquid L and the fragile substance S are stored in the lower portion 23 of the container 2A, and the lid member 3 is pressed against the step portion 24A of the container 2A to deform the lid member 3. It is fitted into the container 2A while being allowed to fit. At this time, since the step portion 24A has a tapered shape, the lid member 3 can be efficiently deformed only by pressing the lid member 3 against the step portion 24A. Further, as described above, the lid member 3 may be deformed and fitted into the container 2 by pressing the tapered portion of the convex portion 31 against the tapered shape of the step portion 24A. The outer peripheral surface of the base portion 32 of the lid member 3 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the lower portion 23 of the container 2A.

As described above, according to the first modification of the device 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the liquid-tight space can be efficiently formed by a simple work and a simple mechanism, so that workability and manufacturing cost can be improved. There is a big merit in that. Further, since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the bubbles do not move in the container due to the shaking of the container to damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-shaped cell culture, air bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be lost. Therefore, it can be stored for a long period of time while maintaining the shape of the fragile substance in the liquid and preventing deformation.
In particular, since the lid member 3 can be efficiently deformed by the stepped portion 24A having a tapered shape, even if the lid member 3 and the container 2A have dimensional variations in the manufacturing stage, the lid member 3 And the container 2 can be reliably adhered to each other. Further, when the lid member 3 is removed from the container 2A, the liquid L is gently returned into the container 2A along the tapered step portion 24A, so that the flow of the liquid L can be suppressed. As a result, the reliability of the device that retains the shape of the fragile material in the liquid is further improved.

Next, a second modification of the device 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, the differences from the second embodiment will be described in detail, and the same matters will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the second modification of the device 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes the container 2A and the lid member 3A that seals the container 2A. Container 2A includes a lower portion 23 and an upper portion 22. The lid member 3A is made of a deformable elastic body, and includes a top plate portion 36 extending in the radial direction from the upper end of the base portion 32. The outer diameter of the base 32 is larger than the inner diameter of the lower portion 23. The outer diameter of the top plate portion 36 is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the inner diameter of the upper portion 22. That is, the top plate portion 36 can cover the opening of the upper portion 22.

When the device 1A is used, the top plate portion 36 presses and deforms the base portion 32 and the convex portion 31 to fit the device 1A into the container 2A. When the base portion 32 is inserted into the container 2A to a certain depth, the top plate portion 36 comes into contact with the opening of the upper portion 22, and further insertion becomes impossible. That is, the top plate portion 36 has both a function of a lid that covers the opening of the container 2A and a function of a stopper that limits the insertion of the lid member 3A. That is, by covering the opening of the upper portion 22 with the top plate portion 36, the liquid L received in the space of the upper portion 22 can be prevented from coming into contact with the outside air, and at the same time, the insertion of the lid member 3A is stopped. As a result, the lid member 3A does not damage the fragile material in the container 2A.

As described above, according to the second modification of the device 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the liquid-tight space can be efficiently formed by a simple work and a simple mechanism, so that workability and manufacturing cost can be improved. There is a big merit in that. Further, since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the bubbles do not move in the container due to the shaking of the container to damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-shaped cell culture, air bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be lost. Therefore, it can be stored for a long period of time while maintaining the shape of the fragile substance in the liquid and preventing deformation.
In particular, since the liquid L in the liquid receiving space of the upper portion 22 does not come into contact with the outside air, contamination is unlikely to occur. Therefore, it is suitable for use in a place where cleanliness is strictly controlled, for example, in an intensive care unit where sheet-shaped cell cultures are used. Further, even if the container 2A is tilted during the transfer, the liquid L in the liquid receiving space does not flow out of the container. As a result, the reliability of the device that retains the shape of the fragile material in the liquid is further improved.

The present embodiment may further have various modifications. For example, the top plate portion 36 is provided with a certain thickness, and a screwing mechanism is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the top plate portion 36 and the inner peripheral surface of the upper portion 22 of the container 2A so that the top plate portion 36 can be attached to the container 2. It may be possible to screw it. As a result, the force for pressing the lid member 3A from above by the top plate portion 36 can be made stronger, so that the adhesion between the lid member 3A and the container 2A can be further improved. Further, such a screwing mechanism also functions as a guide mechanism for guiding the lid member 3A so as to be horizontally attached to the container 2A by coordinating the lid member 3A and the container 2A as described above.

In the present embodiment, the liquid receiving space has been described as a space between the upper portion 22 of the container 2A and the base portion 32 of the lid member 3, but is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid receiving space may be a space formed by reducing the inner diameter of the base 32 as described in the first embodiment, or as described in the second modification of the first embodiment. It may be the inner space of the bowl-shaped lid member 3.

Further, as yet another modification, the convex portion 31 of the lid member 3A and the top plate portion 36 of the lid member 3A may be separated. For example, the convex portion 31 may be formed of an elastic body and the top plate portion 36 may be formed of a rigid body separately. That is, when these are integrally molded with an elastic body, the strength of the top plate portion 36 is insufficient, and conversely, when these are integrally molded with a rigid body, the convex portion 31 is unlikely to be deformed, so that it is difficult to select a material. However, this problem can be solved by separately molding the convex portion 31 and the top plate portion 36. Further, since the top plate portion 36, which is easily contaminated during transportation, can be removed, the labor of sterilization work and dust removal work at the time of use can be saved.

Another aspect of the present invention is a device that includes a container for accommodating fragile objects, a lid member that seals the container, and a liquid holding space, wherein the lid member is inside the container in a state of being attached to the container. It has a convex portion that protrudes toward the space, and the horizontal cross-sectional area of the convex portion becomes smaller toward the vertical downward direction, and the convex portion pushes out the gas and liquid in the container space containing the fragile substance and the liquid and the lid. The device relates to the device, wherein a liquid-tight space is formed by the member and the edge of the container being in close contact with each other, and the liquid holding space can hold the liquid extruded by the lid member so as not to return to the container.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the device 1B according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In each drawing of the present application, the size of each member is appropriately emphasized for ease of explanation, and each member in the drawing does not indicate an actual size.
Further, in the figure, the same configurations as those of the device 1 and the device 1A according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and are hereinafter referred to as the first embodiment and the second embodiment. The differences will be described in detail, and similar matters will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the device 1B according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes the container 2B and the lid member 3 that seals the container 2B. The container 2B includes an inner portion 25 that constitutes an inner space of the container that can accommodate fragile substances and the like, and an annular groove-like outer portion 26 that can be connected to the outer diameter side of the inner portion 25. The edge portion 21 of the inner portion 25 and the outer portion 26 are connected via an annular connecting portion 27. Since the connecting portion 27 is located higher than the bottom of the inner portion 25 and the outer portion 26, the liquid L extruded from the container inner space (inner portion 25) once flows to the outer portion 26 through the connecting portion 27. , Will not return to the space inside the container again. That is, the outer portion 26 functions as a liquid holding space that can hold the liquid extruded by the lid member 3 so as not to return to the space inside the container.

As shown in FIG. 7B, when the device 1B is used, the liquid L and the fragile substance S are stored in the inner portion 25 of the container 2B, the lid member 3 is attached to the inner portion 25 of the container 2B, and the convex portion 31 is used as a container. Push it into the inner space. At this time, the amount of liquid and the volume of the outer portion 26 are adjusted in advance so that the liquid L extruded from the inner space of the container is held by the outer portion 26 of the container 2B and does not leak to the outside from the outer portion 26. It is preferable to keep it. Further, since the liquid L in the outer portion 26 is blocked by the connecting portion 27 and does not return to the inner portion 25, not only the flow of the liquid L in the inner portion 25 is less likely to occur, but also the contamination of the fragile substance S is prevented. be able to. After the lid member 3 is attached to the inner portion 25, the connection between the inner portion 25 and the outer portion 26 may be released so that only the lid member 3 and the inner portion 25 are transferred.

As described above, according to the device 1B according to the third embodiment of the present invention, since the liquid-tight space can be efficiently formed by a simple work and a simple mechanism, there are great merits in terms of workability and manufacturing cost. be. Further, since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the bubbles do not move in the container due to the shaking of the container to damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-shaped cell culture, air bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be lost. Therefore, it can be stored for a long period of time while maintaining the shape of the fragile substance in the liquid and preventing deformation.
In particular, since the liquid extruded from the container inner space does not return to the container inner space even after the lid member is removed, contamination of the fragile substance S can be prevented. Therefore, it is suitable for use in places where cleanliness is strictly controlled, for example, in intensive care units where sheet cell cultures are used. As a result, the reliability of the device that retains the shape of the fragile material in the liquid is further improved.

The present embodiment is not limited to this, and those skilled in the art can design devices having different configurations and shapes by preferably combining the configurations and shapes of the devices according to the above-described first to third embodiments. .. For example, the convex portion 31 is formed into a conical shape, the convex portion 31 is provided with an opening 35, the connecting portion 27 is formed into a tapered shape that expands upward toward the container 2B, and the lid member 3 is provided with a top plate portion 36. It can be freely designed according to the application, such as being able to be screwed to the container 2B.

Further, in the present embodiment, the liquid holding space has been described as the outer portion 26, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as described in the second modification of the first embodiment, the bowl-shaped lid member 3 is also included in the liquid holding space.

Another aspect of the present invention is a device including a container for accommodating a fragile object, a lid member for sealing the container, and a guide mechanism, and the lid member is a space inside the container when attached to the container. It has a convex portion that protrudes toward, and the horizontal cross-sectional area of the convex portion becomes smaller toward the vertical downward direction, and the convex portion pushes out the gas and liquid in the space inside the container containing the fragile substance and the liquid, and the lid member. The device is in close contact with the edge of the container to form a liquid-tight space, and the guide mechanism can guide the lid member horizontally with respect to the container by coordinating the lid member and the container. Regarding.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device 1C according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the device 1C according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment. In each drawing of the present application, the size of each member is appropriately emphasized for ease of explanation, and each member in the drawing does not indicate an actual size.
Further, in the figure, the same configurations as those of the devices 1, devices 1A, and devices 1B according to the first to third embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and hereinafter, the first to third embodiments are designated. Differences from the form will be described in detail, and similar matters will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the device 1C according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes the container 2A and the lid member 3B that seals the container 2A. Container 2A includes an upper portion 22 and a lower portion 23, and the inner diameter of the upper portion 22 is larger than the inner diameter of the lower portion 23. The lid member 3B includes a top plate portion 36 that extends radially from the upper end of the base portion 32 and can cover the opening of the upper portion 22. The lid member 3B further includes a tubular skirt wall 37 hanging from the peripheral edge of the top plate portion 36. The inner diameter of the tubular skirt wall 37 is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the upper portion 22 of the container 2A.

As shown in FIG. 8B, when the device 1C is used, the liquid L and the fragile substance S are stored in the lower portion 23 of the container 2A, the lid member 3B is attached to the container 2A, and the space inside the container is filled with the convex portion 31. The container 2A is made airtight by the top plate portion 36 and the tubular skirt wall 37. When the lid member 3B is attached to and detached from the container 2A, the tubular skirt wall 37 slides on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 22 of the container 2A. That is, the tubular skirt wall 37 functions as a guide mechanism that allows the lid member 3B and the container 2A to cooperate with each other so that the lid member 3B can be horizontally attached to the container 2A. As a result, it is possible to make the attachment / detachment work of the operator uniform and suppress the flow of the liquid in the container.

As described above, according to the device 1C according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, since the liquid-tight space can be efficiently formed by a simple work and a simple mechanism, there are great merits in terms of workability and manufacturing cost. be. Further, since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the bubbles do not move in the container due to the shaking of the container to damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-shaped cell culture, air bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be lost. Therefore, it can be stored for a long period of time while maintaining the shape of the fragile substance in the liquid and preventing deformation.
In particular, since the opening of the container 2A and the outer circumference thereof can be sealed by the top plate portion 36 and the tubular skirt wall 37, the airtightness of the container 2A is further enhanced. As a result, for example, even if the device 1C is accidentally overturned, the liquid L does not flow out of the container 2A in the receiving space. That is, the device 1C can triple-seal the container 2A with the convex portion 31, the top plate portion 36, and the tubular skirt wall 37 of the lid member 3B. As a result, the reliability of the device that retains the shape of the fragile material in the liquid is further improved.

Further, the tubular skirt wall 37 can also be provided on the lid members of the first to third embodiments of the present invention. For example, the lid member and the container are cooperated with each other by appropriately providing the peripheral edge of the top plate 33 of the first embodiment, the peripheral edge of the top plate 36 of the second embodiment, the peripheral edge of the top plate 36 of the third embodiment, and the like. It may function as a guide mechanism that allows the lid member to be attached horizontally to the container.

Next, a first modification of the device 1C according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, the differences from the fourth embodiment will be described in detail, and the same matters will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the first modification of the device 1C according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes the container 2A and the lid member 3B that seals the container 2A. The lid member 3B includes a tubular skirt wall 37 hanging from the peripheral edge of the top plate portion 36, and a female screw portion 38 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular skirt wall 37. Further, a male screw portion 28 screwed with the female screw portion 38 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 22 of the container 2A. The device 1C further includes a packing ring R that can be attached to a portion where the opening of the upper portion 22 and the top plate portion 36 come into contact with each other.

As shown in FIG. 9B, when the device 1C is used, the liquid L and the fragile substance S are contained in the lower portion 23 of the container 2A, and the container 2A is covered with the lid member 3B. Next, while rotating the lid member 3B with respect to the container 2A, the female screw portion 38 of the tubular skirt wall 37 is screwed with the male screw portion 28 of the container 2A, and the container 2A is screwed to the lid member 3B. .. The packing ring R is pressed by the opening of the upper portion 22 and the top plate portion 36 by the screwing mechanism composed of the female screw portion 38 and the male screw portion 28, and is brought into close contact with the opening of the container 2A. Here, the device 1C is configured so that when the lid member 3B is attached to the container 2A, the convex portion 31 and the edge portion 21 are brought into close contact with each other and the packing ring R and the opening of the container 2A are brought into close contact with each other substantially at the same time. It is preferable that it is. As a result, the airtightness of the device 1C is further enhanced.

As described above, according to the first modification of the device 1C according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the liquid-tight space can be efficiently formed by a simple work and a simple mechanism, so that the workability and the manufacturing cost are improved. There is a big merit in. Further, since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the bubbles do not move in the container due to the shaking of the container to damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-shaped cell culture, air bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be lost. Therefore, it can be stored for a long period of time while maintaining the shape of the fragile substance in the liquid and preventing deformation.
In particular, in this modification, the container 2A can be quadruple-sealed by the convex portion 31, the top plate portion 36, the tubular skirt wall 37, and the packing ring R of the lid member 3B. As a result, the reliability of the device that retains the shape of the fragile material in the liquid is further improved. In addition, a plurality of packing rings R may be provided on the edge portion 21 of the container 2A, the upper end of the lower portion 23, the step portion 24, and the like where the lid member 3B and the container 2A come into contact with each other.

Further, in the present embodiment, the guide mechanism has been described mainly with respect to the sliding mechanism between the inner peripheral surface of the tubular skirt wall 37 and the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 22 of the container 2A, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the guide mechanism may be a mechanism that guides the lid member horizontally with respect to the container by coordinating the lid member and the container. For example, the base portion described in the first modification of the first embodiment. The outer peripheral surface of the 32 and the inner peripheral surface of the container 2 may be screwed, or the outer peripheral surface of the top plate portion 36 and the inner peripheral surface of the container 2A described in the second modification of the second embodiment may be screwed. , A plurality of guide mechanisms may be provided as in the packing ring R.

Another aspect of the present invention is a fragile substance transfer kit for transferring a fragile substance, which houses an inner container for containing the fragile substance, an inner lid member for sealing the inner container, and an inner container. Includes an outer container for the purpose and an outer lid member for sealing the outer container.
The inner lid member has a convex portion that protrudes toward the inner space of the container when attached to the inner container, and the horizontal cross-sectional area of the convex portion becomes smaller toward the vertical downward direction, and the convex portion holds fragile substances and liquids. The present invention relates to the fragile material transfer kit, which forms a liquid-tight space by extruding gas and liquid in the contained container inner space and bringing the inner lid member and the edge of the inner container into close contact with each other.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the kit according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In each drawing of the present application, the size of each member is appropriately emphasized for ease of explanation, and each member in the drawing does not indicate an actual size.
Further, in the figure, the same configurations as those of the devices 1, device 1A, device 1B, and device 1C according to the first to fourth embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and hereinafter, the first embodiment to Differences from the fourth embodiment will be described in detail, and description of similar matters will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the fragile substance transfer kit according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes an inner container 2 for accommodating fragile substances, an inner lid member 3 for sealing the inner container 2, and an inner container 2. The outer container 4 for accommodating the outer container 4 and the outer lid member 5 for sealing the outer container 4 are included. The inner container 2 and the inner lid member 3 have the same functions as the container 2 and the lid member 3 according to the first embodiment. The inner diameter of the outer container 4 is larger than the outer diameter of the inner container 2, and is designed so that the inner container 2 can be accommodated inside the outer container 4. Further, the height of the outer container 4 is designed so that the inner container 2 with the inner lid member 3 attached can be accommodated. The outer lid member 5 includes a top plate portion 51 and a tubular skirt wall 52 hanging from the peripheral edge of the top plate portion 51. The top plate portion 51 covers the opening of the outer container 4, and the tubular skirt wall 52 is designed so as to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the outer container 4.

As shown in FIG. 10B, when using the kit, liquids and fragile substances are stored in the inner container 2, the inner container 2 is stored in the outer container 4, the inner lid member 3 is fitted into the inner container 2, and the container is used. The liquid in the inner space is pushed out to the outer container 4, and the outer lid member 5 is attached to the outer container 4 and transferred. When using a fragile material, the outer lid member 5 is removed from the outer container 4, the inner container 2 is taken out from the outer container 4, the inner container 2 is removed from the inner lid member 3, and the fragile material is taken out and used.

As described above, according to the kit according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, since the liquid-tight space can be efficiently formed by a simple operation and a simple mechanism, there is a great merit in terms of workability and manufacturing cost. .. Further, since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the bubbles do not move in the container due to the shaking of the container to damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-shaped cell culture, air bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be lost. Therefore, it can be stored for a long period of time while maintaining the shape of the fragile substance in the liquid and preventing deformation.
In particular, since both the inner container 2 and the inner lid member 3 can be prevented from coming into contact with the outside air during transfer, the cleanliness is strictly controlled in an intensive care unit where a sheet-shaped cell culture is used. Suitable for use in places where That is, since the cleanliness of the intensive care unit is strictly controlled so that fine particles and microorganisms do not enter, when bringing the container into the intensive care unit, the fine particles adhering to the container in the front room of the intensive care unit. It is necessary to take measures such as removing and sterilizing microorganisms by wiping or disinfecting them, and then bringing them in. However, according to the kit of the present invention, the step can be omitted.

The present embodiment is not limited to this, and those skilled in the art can preferably combine the present embodiment with the configurations and shapes of the devices according to the above-described first to fourth embodiments to obtain kits having different configurations and shapes. Can be designed. For example, as in the lid member 3B in the second modification of the fourth embodiment, the outer lid member 5 and the inner lid member 3 of the present embodiment are integrated, and the outer lid member 5 and the outer container 4 are screwed together. The inner lid member 3 may be fitted into the inner container 2. Further, the inner container 2 may be detachably fixed to the outer container 4 so that the inner container 2 does not move during the transfer.

As described above, since the device of the present invention does not have a flat surface at the portion in contact with the liquid surface inside the lid member, bubbles on the liquid surface may stick to the flat surface when the container is sealed with the lid member. Does not remain in the container. Further, when the container is sealed with the lid member, since the lid member portion that is in close contact with the edge of the container does not have a flat surface, the liquid and gas in the container can be effectively pushed out by the lid member. .. Further, since the lid member does not have a bottom surface covering the opening of the container, when the container is sealed with the lid member, the bottom surface does not hinder the discharge of liquid or gas.
Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto.
In the present invention, each configuration can be replaced with any configuration capable of exerting the same function, or any configuration can be added.

1, 1A, 1B, 1C Device 2, 2A, 2B Container, Inner container 21 Edge 22 Upper 23 Lower 24 Step 25 Inner 26 Outer 27 Connecting 28 Male thread

3, 3A, 3B Closure member, inner lid member 31 Convex part 32 Base part 33 Top part 34 Handle part 35 Opening part 36 Top plate part 37 Cylindrical skirt wall 38 Female screw part 4 Outer container 5 Outer lid member

Claims (7)

A device including a container for accommodating fragile substances, a lid member for sealing the container, and a guide mechanism. The lid member is an elastic body that protrudes toward the space inside the container while being attached to the container. It has a certain convex portion, the horizontal cross-sectional area of the convex portion becomes smaller toward the vertical downward direction, and the tapered portion of the convex portion is sized so as to be in close contact with the edge portion of the container. Can be attached to the container while being deformed by pressing against the edge of the container, and the convex portion pushes out the gas and liquid in the space inside the container containing the fragile substance and the liquid along the tapered portion, and the tapered portion and the container. The device, which forms a liquid-tight space by being in close contact with the edge of the device, and the guide mechanism can cooperate the lid member and the container to guide the lid member horizontally with respect to the container. The device according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the convex portion is a dome shape having a top. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide mechanism is a screwing mechanism between the lid member and the container. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guide mechanism is a sliding mechanism between the cylindrical skirt wall hanging from the peripheral edge of the lid member and the outer peripheral surface of the container. The device according to claim 4, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the tubular skirt wall and the outer peripheral surface of the container are screwed together. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fragile substance is a sheet-like cell culture. The device according to claim 6, wherein the sheet-like cell culture is a laminate.

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