JP7062431B2 - Fragile holding device with discharge mechanism - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fragile material holding device provided with a discharge mechanism.

In recent years, new regenerative medicine has been developed 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 cell cultures can safely transplant large numbers of cells 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 failure (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, since the sheet-shaped cell culture has low absolute physical strength and wrinkles, tears, breakages, etc. occur due to vibrations generated when the container is transferred, advanced techniques are required for this transfer work. And you need to pay close attention.

Various methods and containers have been developed to meet such needs. For example, Patent Document 1 below describes a package for carrying a cultured cell sheet. When the package is sealed with a lid, air is removed together with a small amount of liquid medium to make the package liquid-tight, so that air bubbles do not move in the liquid medium during transportation, and thus the cultured cell sheet is displaced. And can prevent defects.

Further, the storage container for the membrane-like structure described in Patent Document 2 below is filled with a storage solution to the extent that a gas layer is not formed, and the storage solution is made liquid-tight, so that the storage solution undulates. It does not flow or flow, and as a result, vibration is not transmitted to the membranous tissue, and damage to the membranous tissue can be prevented.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-89715 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-130311

As mentioned above, containers for the safe transfer of fragile cell sheets have been developed. Further, such a container is devised so that the inside of the container is made liquid-tight so that the movement of air bubbles does not occur.

However, advanced techniques are required to completely remove air bubbles from the container and achieve a liquid-tight state. In addition, since a strong force is required to remove the lid from the liquid-tight container, the liquid may undulate when the lid is attached or detached, and the cell sheet may be damaged.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such a point, and provides a device capable of efficiently achieving a liquidtight state with a simple operation and preventing the liquid from waving during the operation of attaching and detaching the lid. With the goal.

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 convex portion pushes out the gas and / or the liquid in the container containing the fragile substance and the liquid, and the lid member and the edge of the container are in close contact with each other to form a liquid-tight space. The device further comprising an annular elastic sealant interposed between the container and the container.
[2] The device according to [1], wherein the elastic sealing material has a thin-walled shape.
[3] The device according to [1] or [2], wherein the elastic sealing material is provided with a groove.

[4] In a state where the liquid-tight space is formed, the lid member is slid horizontally with respect to the container to deform the annular sealing material, and the liquid-tight state can be released. [1] to [3] ] The device described in any of.
[5] The device according to any one of [1] to [4], which has a space for receiving the extruded liquid.
[6] The device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein at least a part of the convex portion has a dome shape.
[7] The device according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the fragile substance is a sheet-like cell culture.
[8] The device according to [7], wherein the sheet-like cell culture is a laminate.

[9] A device including a container for containing a fragile substance and a lid member for sealing the container, and the lid member pushes out a gas and / or a liquid in the container containing the fragile substance and the liquid. A liquid-tight space can be formed by the lid member and the container in close contact with each other, and the lid member is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular skirt wall and the tubular skirt wall in which the lid member hangs down from the peripheral edge of the lid member. The lid member has a protrusion, and the container has a second annular protrusion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the container, and the lid member is pressed against the container so that the first annular protrusion rides on the second annular protrusion and is brought into close contact with the container. Can be secured to the container, said device.
[10] The device according to [9], wherein the first annular projection and / or the second annular projection has an inclined surface.
[11] The device according to [9] or [10], further comprising an annular member for expanding the tubular skirt wall.

[12] The device according to any one of [9] to [11], which has a space for receiving the extruded liquid.
[13] The device according to any one of [9] to [12], wherein the lid member has a convex portion that protrudes toward the space inside the container when attached to the container.
[14] The device according to [13], wherein at least a part of the convex portion has a dome shape.
[15] The device according to any one of [9] to [14], wherein the fragile substance is a sheet-like cell culture.
[16] The device according to [15], wherein the sheet-like cell culture is a laminate.

[17] A device comprising a container for containing a fragile substance and a lid member for sealing the container, wherein the lid member pushes out a gas and / or a liquid in the container containing the fragile substance and the liquid. The device, wherein a liquid-tight space can be formed by the close contact between the lid member and the container, and the container and / or the lid member has an openable / closable outlet for taking out a fragile substance.
[18] The device according to [17], wherein the outlet is covered with a peel-open type film material.
[19] Further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the lid member to the container, [17] or

The device according to [18].
[20] The device according to any one of [17] to [19], which has a space for receiving the extruded liquid.
[21] The device according to any one of [17] to [20], wherein the lid member has a convex portion that protrudes toward the space inside the container when attached to the container.
[22] The device according to [21], wherein at least a part of the convex portion has a dome shape.
[23] The device according to any one of [17] to [22], wherein the fragile substance is a sheet-like cell culture.
[24] The device according to [23], wherein the sheet-like cell culture is a laminate.

[25] A device comprising a container for containing a fragile substance and a lid member for sealing the container, the lid member pushing out a gas and / or liquid in the container containing the fragile substance and the liquid. The device, wherein a liquid-tight space can be formed by the lid member and the container in close contact with each other, and the device has an openable and closable discharge port for discharging a liquid.
[26] The device according to [25], wherein the discharge port is located on the side surface of the container.
[27] The device according to [25] or [26], wherein the discharge port is arranged in a position close to the liquid surface in a state of forming a liquid-tight space.

[28] The device according to any one of [25] to [27], which has a space for receiving the discharged liquid.
[29] The device according to any one of [25] to [28], wherein the lid member has a convex portion that protrudes toward the space inside the container when attached to the container.
[30] The device according to [29], wherein at least a part of the convex portion has a dome shape.
[31] The device according to any one of [25] to [30], wherein the fragile substance is a sheet-like cell culture.
[32] The device according to [31], wherein the sheet-like cell culture is a laminate.

According to the device of the present invention, a liquid-tight state can be efficiently achieved by a simple mechanism and a simple operation, so that there are great merits in terms of workability and manufacturing cost. Since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, air bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the air bubbles do not move in the container due to shaking of the container during transfer and damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-like cell culture, bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be damaged. 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 liquid is incompressible, it is generally difficult to remove the lid while the space surrounded by the lid and the container is liquid-tight, but the device of the present invention is in a liquid-tight state. Since it is possible to easily release the container, for example, it is possible to suppress the vibration of the container and the generation of liquid flow due to the forcible removal of the lid member of the operator, so that the fragile material is not damaged.
According to the device of the present invention, since it has a space for receiving 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 producing sheet-shaped cell cultures.

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

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing one aspect of the annular projection of FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the device 1C according to the first modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device 1D according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the device 1E according to the first modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the device 1F according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The fragile substance in the present invention 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 flat film-like film structure made of a biological material such as a sheet-like cell culture, 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 liquids and those that are persistent in liquids 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 when they are connected, they are partially connected even if all the overlapping parts are connected. May be good.

In the present invention, the sheet-shaped cell culture refers to a sheet-like cell 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 mediators are preferably derived from cells, particularly those derived from the cells that make up the sheet-like cell culture. The cells are at least physically (mechanically) linked, but may be more functionally, for example, chemically or electrically linked. The sheet-like cell culture may be composed of one cell layer (single layer) or two or more cell layers (layer (multilayer), for example, two layers, three layers, etc.). It may be 4 layers, 5 layers, 6 layers, etc.). 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 a vertical cross section of a sheet-like 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-like cell culture in the present invention is composed of any cells capable of forming the above-mentioned structure. 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, renal cells, adrenal cells, root membrane cells, gingival cells, bone membrane cells, skin. Cells, synovial cells, cartilage cells, etc.) and stem cells (eg, myoblasts, tissue stem cells such as 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, particularly 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, cartilage cells, 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 or cardiomyocytes, are preferable, and skeletal myoblasts or cardiomyocytes derived from iPS cells 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, 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 embodiment 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. This is because it is extremely difficult to maintain the sheet shape in the liquid.

In the present invention, the container is not particularly limited as long as it can contain fragile substances, liquids and the like inside and the liquid does not leak, and any container including a commercially available container can be used. Examples of the material of the container 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. Further, the container preferably has at least one flat bottom surface for maintaining the shape of the fragile substance, 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 invention, the liquid in the container is composed of at least one kind of component, and the component thereof 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 a milky lotion.
The liquid or liquid in the present specification may be any fluid having fluidity as a whole, and may contain a solid substance such as a cell scaffold or other non-liquid components such as 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, 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. , Sodium bicarbonate, etc.), medium (eg, DMEM, MEM, F12, DMEM / F12, DME, RPMI1640, MCDB, L15, SkBM, RITC80-7, IMDM, etc.), sugar solution (sucrose solution, Filel-paque (registered). 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, animals Examples thereof include fat, vegetable oil, olive oil, colloidal solution, liquid paraffin, terepine oil, linseed oil, and castor oil.

When the fragile substance is a sheet-like 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, 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-pakue 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. In one embodiment 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 invention, the lid member is not particularly limited as long as it can seal the container. Materials for the lid member include, for example, 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 invention, 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 the fragile material contained in the container and the presence or absence of air bubbles in the liquid can be confirmed.

In the present invention, the "state 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 brought into close contact with each other to form a closed space. Further, the "space inside the container" means a storage space for a container that can store 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 "liquid-tight space" refers to a state in which a closed space formed by the lid member and the container in close contact with each other is filled with a liquid.

In the present invention, the convex portion of the lid member means, for example, a protruding portion or a bulging portion of the lid member. A convex portion protruding toward the space inside the container means that the convex portion protrudes to the extent that the liquid or gas in the space inside the container is pushed out. The size of the convex portion can be freely set according to the liquid volume. The convex portion may be integrally molded as a part of the lid member, or may be molded separately from the lid member and used together with the lid member. By being made of an elastic material, the convex portion may be formed regardless of the dimensional error of the container. It is preferable to be able to adhere to the container.

In the present invention, the shape of the convex portion can be freely set, but it is preferable that at least a part thereof has a dome shape. Further, it is preferable to design so that the top of the dome shape intersects the center line of the lid member. That is, the dome shape having a top means that the horizontal cross-sectional area of the dome-shaped portion becomes smaller as it goes vertically downward, and when the liquid is immersed in the liquid while being lowered vertically downward from above, the contact area with the liquid gradually increases. It means to grow up. Examples of the curved surface shape of the dome-shaped 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.

In the present invention, the fragile material is held in the liquid in the container containing the liquid. The position of the fragile material in the liquid is not particularly limited, but it is placed at a position where the lid member and the fragile material do not come into contact with each other (or even if they come into contact with each other) with the lid member attached to the container to form a closed space. good). Preferably, the fragile material is placed on the bottom surface of the container, near the bottom surface, etc. in the liquid of the container.

[First Embodiment]
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 while being attached to the container. It has a convex portion, and the convex portion extrudes a gas and / or liquid in a container containing a fragile substance and a liquid, and the lid member and the edge of the container are in close contact with each other to form a liquid-tight space. With respect to said device, which can further include an annular elastic sealant interposed between the ridge and the container.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
1 is a cross-sectional view of the device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device 1 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device 1A, which is a cross-sectional view of the device 1A according to the first modification. In each drawing of the present application, the size of each member is appropriately emphasized for ease of explanation, and each member in the figure does not indicate an actual size.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a container 2 and a lid member 3 for sealing the container 2. The container 2 has the shape of a general-purpose petri dish having an edge portion 21 surrounding the opening, and constitutes a space inside the container that can accommodate a fragile substance S or the like. The lid member 3 includes a top plate portion 32 and a convex portion 31 protruding downward from the top plate portion 32. The top plate portion 32 covers the opening of the container 2 and is in close contact with the edge portion 21, so that the inside of the container 2 can be sealed. The convex portion 31 projects toward the inner space of the container 2 with the lid member 3 attached to the container 2. The convex portion 31 has a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the container 2, and a space A is formed between the convex portion 31 and the container 2 in a state where the lid member 3 is attached to the container 2. Further, the device 1 includes an annular elastic sealing material 33 interposed between the convex portion 31 and the container 2, and the elastic sealing material 33 has a thin-walled shape extending between the convex portion 31 and the container 2. In the present embodiment, the elastic sealing material 33 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion 31 so as to form a space A surrounded by the top plate portion 32 of the lid member 3, the container 2 and the elastic sealing material 33. ing.

As shown in FIG. 1B, when the device 1 is used, the liquid L and the fragile substance S are contained in the container 2, and the lid member 3 is attached to the container 2. When attaching the lid member 3, the top plate portion 32 is gripped and the convex portion 31 is inserted into the space inside the container. When the convex portion 31 is pushed into the space inside the container, the gas in the space inside the container is first pushed out, and then the liquid L is pushed out. At this time, the fluid passes through the elastic sealing material 33 interposed between the convex portion 31 and the container 2, but since the elastic sealing material 33 has a thin wall shape, it is deformed upward by the pressure of the extruded fluid. It can allow fluid to pass through. Further, the extruded liquid L is received by the space A and does not leak out of the container 2, so that it is hygienic. When the lid member 3 is further pushed in and the top plate portion 32 and the edge portion 21 of the container 2 come into close contact with each other, the fluid does not move, so that the elastic sealing material 33 is restored and comes into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the container 2. In this way, a liquid-tight space sealed with the convex portion 31, the elastic sealing material 33, and the container 2 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 1B, it is preferable to adjust the amount of the liquid L in advance so that at least a part of the liquid L moves to the space A so as not to leak from the container 2, but the liquid L is brought to the vicinity of the edge 21. The lid member 3 may be attached in a filled state to form a liquid-tight space while overflowing the liquid L. In this way, the space A can function as a liquid receiving space that receives the liquid L so as not to overflow from the container 2. Further, when the elastic sealing material 33 has a thin-walled shape, the thin-walled portion may be molded into a shape inclined upward in advance at the manufacturing stage. As a result, the elastic sealing material 33 can be provided with a function like a check valve, and the fluid can be smoothly discharged when the lid member 3 is attached to the container 2, while the fluid can be prevented from flowing back. ..

As shown in FIG. 2A, the elastic sealing material 33 is interposed between the convex portion 31 of the lid member 3 and the edge portion 21 of the container 2 to maintain the airtightness of the space inside the container 2. When removing the lid member 3 from the container 2, the container 2 is grasped and the lid member 3 is pulled upward to remove the elastic sealing material 33 while deforming it. In this case, since the elastic sealing material 33 is deformed downward by the vacuum pressure, a gap is formed between the elastic sealing material 33 and the container 2, and the lid member 3 can be easily removed from the container 2. Further, as another method, there is also a method of sliding and removing the lid member 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the lid member 3 is slid horizontally with respect to the container 2 and the elastic sealing material 33 is deformed (shrinked) to one side, so that the elastic sealing material is on the opposite side of the sliding direction. A gap G is created between 33 and the container 2.

Since the lid member 3 can be removed in the state where the liquid-tight state of the device 1 is released in the gap G, a sudden pressure is not applied to the container 2 and the flow of the liquid L can be suppressed. In this way, by interposing the elastic sealing material 33 in the horizontal gap between the lid member 3 and the container 2 and using the elastic sealing material 33 as a deformation mechanism, the work of attaching and detaching the lid member 3 can be easily performed. can do. It is preferable to make the elastic sealing material 33 into a thin wall shape because it is easily deformed in the horizontal direction. Further, by setting the width of the elastic sealing material 33 to be slightly larger than the width of the gap between the lid member 3 and the container 2, it is possible to absorb a dimensional error in the manufacturing stage of the device 1. As a method for preventing the lid member 3 from sliding in the horizontal direction during transportation, a lid member (not shown) having a tubular skirt wall may be further placed on the lid member 3, or the lid member 3 may be made of a tubular member. And the container 2 may be surrounded.

As described above, according to the device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a liquid-tight state can be efficiently achieved by a simple mechanism and a simple operation, so that there are great merits in terms of workability and manufacturing cost. be. Since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, air bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the air bubbles do not move in the container due to shaking of the container during transfer and damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-like cell culture, bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be damaged. 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, according to the device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the liquid-tight state can be easily released. Therefore, for example, the vibration of the container or the flow of the liquid due to the forcible removal of the lid member of the operator. Since the occurrence of fragile materials can be suppressed, fragile materials will not be damaged.
Further, according to the device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, since it has a space for receiving 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 producing sheet-shaped cell cultures.

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. 3A, the device 1A according to the first modification includes a container 2A and a lid member 3A that seals the container 2A. The bottom portion 34 of the convex portion 31 has a circular dome shape having a top portion substantially intersecting the center line of the lid member 3A. That is, the horizontal cross-sectional area on the lower end side of the convex portion 31 becomes smaller toward the vertical lower side, and has a parabolic curved surface. 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 capable of accommodating 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 slightly larger than the outer diameter of the convex portion 31 of the lid member 3A. In the present embodiment, the annular elastic sealing material 33 has a thin wall shape and is molded in an upwardly inclined shape, and is interposed between the convex portion 31 and the inner peripheral surfaces of the upper portion 22 and the lower portion 23 of the container 2A. The width of the annular elastic sealing material 33 on the upper side is larger than the width of the elastic sealing material 33 on the lower side. Further, a groove D extending in the vertical direction is provided on the side surface of the annular elastic sealing material 33 on the lower side. The inner diameter of the upper portion 22 of the container 2A is larger than the outer diameter of the convex portion 31 of the lid member 3A, and the space B is formed in the gap thereof.

As shown in FIG. 3B, when the device 1A is used, the liquid L and the fragile substance S are housed in the container 2A and the lid member 3A is attached. At this time, if bubbles or the like are present on the liquid surface, the bubbles are pushed upward along the curved surface of the bottom 34 of the convex portion 31. That is, since the bottom portion 34 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, buoyancy is likely to be applied to the bubbles, and the bubbles can be reliably pushed out. Further, since the bottom portion 34 has a dome shape, the contact area with the liquid gradually increases when the convex portion 31 is immersed in the liquid L, so that the occurrence of waviness of the liquid L can be minimized. .. Further, since the liquid L is uniformly extruded radially and uniformly along the circular dome shape of the bottom 34, the liquid L in the container 2A does not move in the radially biased direction, and as a result, the inside of the container 2 is formed. The flow of the liquid L can be suppressed.

Since the liquid L extruded by the convex portion 31 is received by the space B between the upper portion 22 of the container 2A and the convex portion 31 of the lid member 3A (liquid receiving space), the liquid L may leak to the outside. not. Further, by inserting the convex portion 31 into the lower portion 23 of the container 2A like a cork stopper and pressing the top plate portion 32 downward to bring it into close contact with the edge portion 21, the leakage of the fluid in the space B is surely suppressed. be able to. Further, in the present embodiment, since the two elastic sealing materials 33 are interposed between the convex portion 31 and the container 2A, the liquidtightness in the lower part 23 is maintained on the lower side and the airtightness in the upper part 22 is maintained on the upper side. Can retain sex. Further, the thin-walled elastic sealing material 33 can simultaneously absorb dimensional errors in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. That is, when the elastic sealing material 33 is deformed in the vertical direction, the vertical dimensional error of the device 1A is absorbed, and when the elastic sealing material 33 is deformed in the horizontal direction, the horizontal dimensional error of the device 1A is absorbed. can do.

As shown in FIG. 4A, in the present embodiment, the elastic sealing material 33 on the lower side has a groove D. As shown in FIG. 4B, when the lid member 3A is attached to the container 2A, the elastic sealing material 33 is sandwiched between the convex portion 31 and the container 2A and deformed (shrinks), the groove D is crushed, and the liquidtight space is created. It is configured so that it can be formed. Then, when the fragile object S is used, as shown in FIG. 4C, the lid member 3A is slid horizontally to the side of the elastic sealing material 33 facing the groove D to reduce the pressure on the groove D. Restore the groove D. Then, the liquid-tight state of the device 1A can be released by the groove D, the lid member 3A can be removed, and the fragile substance S can be used.

As described above, according to the device 1A according to the first modification of the first embodiment, the liquid-tight state can be efficiently achieved by a simple mechanism and a simple operation, so that the workability and the manufacturing cost are large. There are merits. Since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, air bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the air bubbles do not move in the container due to shaking of the container during transfer and damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-like cell culture, bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be damaged. 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, according to the device 1A according to the first modification of the first embodiment, the liquidtight state can be easily released. Therefore, for example, the vibration of the container or the liquid due to the forcible removal of the lid member of the operator. Since the generation of flow can be suppressed, fragile materials will not be damaged.
Further, according to the device 1A of the first modification of the first embodiment, since it has a space for receiving 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 producing sheet-shaped cell cultures.

This modification can further have various modifications. For example, a groove portion (not shown) may be provided in the step portion 24 so that the liquid L extruded by the convex portion 31 is held by the groove portion of the step portion 24. In this case, since the groove functions as a liquid holding space for holding the liquid, the liquid L is not returned to the lower portion 23 of the container 2A when the lid member 3A is removed, which is hygienic and can suppress the generation of water flow. .. Further, the lower portion 23 of the container 2A may be provided with a ridge portion that fits into the groove D of the elastic sealing material 33. For example, when maintaining the liquidtight state, the groove D and the ridge portion are fitted and sealed, and when the lid member 3A is attached or detached, the lid member 3A is rotated to form the groove D and the ridge portion. The liquidtight state can be released by releasing the fitting and exposing the groove D. The elastic sealing material 33 may be attached to the inner peripheral surface of the lower portion 23 of the container 2A, and in this case, the ridge portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion 31. The cross-sectional shape of the elastic sealing material 33 is not limited to the thin-walled shape, and may be another shape such as a triangle, a quadrangle, or a circle.

[Second Embodiment]
Another aspect of the invention is a device comprising a container for containing fragile material and a lid member for sealing the container, the gas and / / in the container containing the fragile material and liquid in the lid member. Alternatively, a liquid-tight space can be formed by extruding the liquid and bringing the lid member into close contact with the container, and the lid member hangs from the peripheral edge of the lid member on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular skirt wall and the tubular skirt wall. It has a first annular projection provided, and the container has a second annular projection provided on the outer peripheral surface of the container, and the lid member is pressed against the container so that the first annular projection rides on the second annular projection and is brought into close contact with the container. The present invention relates to the device capable of fixing the lid member to the container.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
5 is a cross-sectional view of the device 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing one aspect of the annular projection of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a first modification of the second embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the device 1C which concerns on. In each drawing of the present application, the size of each member is appropriately emphasized for ease of explanation, and each member in the figure does not indicate an actual size.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the device 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes the container 2B and the lid member 3B for sealing the container 2B. The container 2B has the shape of a general-purpose petri dish having an edge portion 21 surrounding the opening, and constitutes a space inside the container that can accommodate a fragile substance S or the like. The lid member 3 includes a top plate portion 32 and a tubular skirt wall 36 hanging from the peripheral edge of the top plate portion 32. The inner diameter of the tubular skirt wall 36 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the container 2B, and the tubular skirt wall 36 can be slid over the outer periphery of the container 2B when the lid member 3B is attached. A first annular projection 35 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular skirt wall 36, and the outer peripheral surface of the container 2B has substantially the same diameter as the first annular projection 35 that engages with the first annular projection 35. The second annular projection 25 having the above is provided. A packing ring R is interposed between the top plate portion 32 of the lid member 3B and the edge portion 21 of the container 2B.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when the device 1B is used, the liquid L and the fragile substance S are housed in the container 2B and the lid member 3B is attached. At this time, by further adding the liquid L in a state where the container 2B is filled with the liquid L, a convex surface is formed on the liquid surface by the surface tension of the liquid L (FIG. 5A). Next, the convex surface portion of the liquid L is pushed out by bringing the convex surface into close contact with the edge portion 21 while crushing the convex surface with the lid member 3B. By attaching the lid member 3B in this way, the work of pushing out the gas from the container 2B may be omitted. That is, since the top plate portion 32 of the lid member 3B first contacts the convex surface of the liquid surface instead of the edge portion 21 of the container 2B, gas does not enter between the lid member 3B and the liquid surface.

Then, when the lid member 3B is further pushed into the container 2B, the first annular projection 35 rides on the second annular projection 25, so that the lid member 3B can be firmly locked to the container 2B. In this way, the first annular projection 35 and the second annular projection 25 can function as a locking mechanism for locking the lid member 3B to the container 2B. Further, the repulsive force of the packing ring R sandwiched between the edge portion 21 of the container 2B and the lid member 3B generates a drag force between the first annular protrusion 35 and the second annular protrusion 25 to improve the airtightness. It is possible to retain vulnerable substances for a long period of time while suppressing the occurrence of contamination.

As described above, according to the device 1B of the second embodiment, since the liquid-tight state can be efficiently achieved by a simple mechanism and a simple operation, there is a great merit in terms of workability and manufacturing cost. Since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, air bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the air bubbles do not move in the container due to shaking of the container during transfer and damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-like cell culture, bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be damaged. 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, according to the device 1B of the second embodiment, since the liquidtight state can be easily released, for example, vibration of the container and generation of liquid flow due to forcible removal of the lid member of the operator are suppressed. Because it can be done, it will not damage fragile materials.
Further, according to the device 1B of the second embodiment, since it has a space for receiving 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 producing sheet-shaped cell cultures.

The shapes of the first annular protrusion 35 and the second annular protrusion 25 in the present embodiment are not limited, and for example, those having a circular, quadrangular, triangular, or polygonal cross-sectional shape can be used, but as an example, a cross-sectional shape can be used. The first annular projection 35 and the second annular projection 25 when the shape is triangular will be described in detail below.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing one aspect of the annular projection of FIG. As shown in FIG. 6A, the cross sections of the first annular projection 35'and the second annular projection 25'have a right triangle shape. That is, the first annular projection 35'and the second annular projection 25'have an inclined surface and a horizontal plane, and the inclined surfaces and the horizontal can be engaged with each other. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the lid member 3B is pressed against the container 2B, a horizontal force is applied to the first annular protrusion 35'by the action of the inclined surfaces, and the tubular skirt wall 36 is expanded. Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the lid member 3B is further pressed, the first annular projection 35'rides on the second annular projection 25', and the horizontal planes are brought into close contact with each other.

Even if the lid member 3B is to be removed from the container 2B after the first annular projection 35'rides on the second annular projection 25', the horizontal planes face each other. It has no effect and cannot be easily removed. Further, due to the repulsive force of the packing ring R sandwiched between the edge portion 21 of the container 2B and the lid member 3B, the horizontal planes are more strongly adhered to each other, so that the lid member 3B is hard to come off and the airtightness is improved. As shown in FIG. 6D, when removing the lid member 3B, for example, the edge portion of the annular member such as the member P may be pressed against the first annular protrusion 35'to be expanded and removed. Here, in order to facilitate the expansion of the tubular skirt wall 36, a slit may be provided in the tubular skirt wall 36 in the vertical direction. As described above, since the device 1B of the present embodiment can realize the attachment / detachment of the lid member 3B by a one-touch method, the container 2B is not inadvertently vibrated by rotating the lid member 3B or the like. Further, since a simple mechanism of providing an annular protrusion can be used instead of the conventional fixing jig or the like, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the problem of losing the jig does not occur.

Next, the device 1C, which is a first modification of 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. 7A, the device 1C according to the first modification of the second embodiment of the present invention includes the container 2C and the lid member 3C for sealing the container 2C. The lid member 3C includes a tubular skirt wall 36 hanging from the peripheral edge of the top plate portion 32. The inner diameter of the tubular skirt wall 36 is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the upper portion 22 of the container 2C, and the tubular skirt wall 36 is slid over the outer periphery of the container 2C when the lid member 3C is attached. Can be made to. A first annular projection 35 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular skirt wall 36, and the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 22 of the container 2C engages with the first annular projection 35 and is abbreviated as the first annular projection 35. A second annular projection 25 having the same diameter is provided. A packing ring R having a quadrangular cross-sectional shape is provided between the top plate portion 32 of the lid member 3C and the edge portion 21 of the container 2C, and between the convex portion 31 of the lid member 3C and the stepped portion 24 of the container 2C. ing.

As shown in FIG. 7A, when the device 1C is used, the liquid L and the fragile substance S are housed in the container 2C and the lid member 3C is attached. At this time, the liquid L is poured to a height at which the liquid volume exceeds the packing ring R on the step portion 24. Then, when the convex portion 31 pushes out the gas in the container 2C to reach the liquid surface and then further lowers the liquid L, the liquid L is pushed out into the space C between the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion 31 and the inner peripheral surface of the container 2C. The liquid level rises, and the gas in the space C is discharged from the container 2C. In this way, a liquidtight space is formed in the lower portion 23 surrounded by the lid member 3C and the container 2C. On the other hand, in order to maintain such a liquid-tight space, the lid member 3C is pressed against the container 2C so that the first annular projection 35 rides on the second annular projection 25, and the lid member 3C is firmly locked to the container 2C. can do. Since the first annular projection 35 and the second annular projection 25 are in close contact with each other in the horizontal plane, the liquid L in the space C does not leak.

As described above, according to the device 1C according to the first modification of the second embodiment, the liquid-tight state can be efficiently achieved by a simple mechanism and a simple operation, so that the workability and the manufacturing cost are large. There are merits. Since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, air bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the air bubbles do not move in the container due to shaking of the container during transfer and damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-like cell culture, bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be damaged. 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, according to the device 1C according to the first modification of the second embodiment, the liquidtight state can be easily released. Therefore, for example, the vibration of the container or the liquid due to the forcible removal of the lid member of the operator Since the generation of flow can be suppressed, fragile materials will not be damaged.
Further, according to the device 1C according to the first modification of the second embodiment, since the device 1C has a space for receiving the liquid extruded by the lid member, the surroundings are not contaminated. Therefore, it is suitable for use in a place where cleanliness is strictly controlled, such as a bioclean room used for producing sheet-shaped cell cultures.

The present embodiment can have various modifications. For example, in the present embodiment, at least a part of the bottom portion of the convex portion 31 is formed into a dome shape like the bottom portion 34 of the device 1A in the first embodiment, and the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion 31 and the inner circumference of the container 2C upper portion 22 are formed. The outer diameter of the convex portion 31 that interposes the annular elastic sealing material 33 in the first embodiment is made smaller than the inner diameter of the lower portion 23, and the lower 23 space is provided as in the device 1A in the first embodiment. It can be freely selected, such as being able to be inserted into. Further, in the present embodiment, the inclined surface is provided on both the first annular projection 35 and the second annular projection 25, but this is provided on at least one of the first annular projection 35 and the second annular projection 25. May be good. Further, instead of the first annular protrusion 35 and the second annular protrusion 25, a male screw and a female screw may be used so that the lid member 3C can be screwed to the container 2C.

[Third Embodiment]
Another aspect of the invention is a device comprising a container for containing fragile material and a lid member for sealing the container, the gas and / or gas in the container containing the fragile material and liquid in the lid member. Alternatively, the device can form a liquidtight space by extruding the liquid into close contact between the lid member and the container, wherein the container and / or the lid member has an openable and closable outlet for taking out fragile substances. ..

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device 1D according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the device 1E according to the first modification of the third 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 figure does not indicate an actual size.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the device 1D according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes the container 2D and the lid member 3D that seals the container 2D. The container 2D has the shape of a general-purpose petri dish, and constitutes a space inside the container that can accommodate a fragile substance S or the like. The lid member 3D includes a top plate portion 32 and a tubular skirt wall 36 hanging from the peripheral edge of the top plate portion 32. The inner diameter of the tubular skirt wall 36 is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the container 2D. A packing ring R having an L-shaped cross section is interposed between the top plate portion 32 and the tubular skirt wall 36 of the lid member 3D and the edge portion 21 of the container 2D. In the present embodiment, since the packing ring R has an L-shape, it is possible to simultaneously achieve absorption of vertical dimensional error and absorption of horizontal dimensional error of the device 1D.

Further, since the packing ring R is sandwiched between the tubular skirt wall 36 and the outer surface of the container 2D, a repulsive force is generated, so that the lid member 3D is in close contact with the container 2D and is difficult to come off. The top plate portion 32 of the lid member 3D is provided with an outlet 38 capable of taking out fragile substances. The outlet 38 is covered with a film material 39. The film material 39 is preferably flexible so that it can be wound into a roll. The outlet 38 is a peel-open type opening that can be opened and closed by winding the film material 39. The film material 39 is fixed to the outlet 38 by a releaseable means such as a laminating treatment, an adhesive treatment, an ultrasonic treatment, or a heat seal.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the device 1D is used, the liquid L and the fragile substance S are housed in the container 2D and the lid member 3D is attached. At this time, the container 2D is filled with the liquid L to form a convex surface on the liquid surface by surface tension (FIG. 8A). Next, the convex portion of the liquid L is crushed by the lid member 3D and brought into close contact with the edge portion 21, so that the convex portion of the liquid L is extruded to form a closed space, thereby preventing air bubbles from entering. When the fragile material S is used, the fragile material S can be easily taken out from the outlet 38 without removing the lid member 3D by peeling off the film material 39 covering the outlet 38.

Since the device 1D can be opened by a peel-open type, the lid member 3D can be easily removed even when the inside of the container 2D is in a liquid-tight state. That is, when the inner surface of the lid member 3D and the liquid surface are in contact with each other, the lid member 3D is pulled by the liquid surface when the lid member 3D is removed, and a repulsive force is generated at the moment when the lid member 3D is removed to vibrate the device. Occurs. On the other hand, in the case of the peel-open type film material 39, the film material 39 can be peeled off so as to be wound up, and the contact area with the liquid surface can be gradually reduced, so that the waviness of the liquid surface is minimized. be able to.

As described above, according to the device 1D according to the third embodiment of the present invention, a liquid-tight state can be efficiently achieved by a simple mechanism and a simple operation, so that there are great merits in terms of workability and manufacturing cost. be. Since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, air bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the air bubbles do not move in the container due to shaking of the container during transfer and damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-like cell culture, bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be damaged. 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, according to the device 1D according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the liquid-tight state can be easily released. Therefore, for example, the vibration of the container or the flow of the liquid due to the forcible removal of the lid member of the operator. Since the occurrence of fragile materials can be suppressed, fragile materials will not be damaged.
Further, according to the device 1D according to the third embodiment of the present invention, since it has a space for receiving 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 producing sheet-shaped cell cultures.

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

As shown in FIG. 9A, the device 1E according to the first modification includes the container 2E and the lid member 3E that seals the container 2E. The container 2E has the shape of a general-purpose petri dish having an edge 21 surrounding the opening, and has a tubular wall 26 projecting upward at the bottom. The height of the tubular wall 26 is set to be lower than the height of the edge portion 21 of the container 2E, the diameter of the tubular wall 26 is set to be smaller than the diameter of the convex portion 31 of the lid member 3E, and the lid member 3E is attached to the container 2E. At that time, the convex portion 31 is configured to cover the opening of the tubular wall 26. A fragile substance S or the like can be stored in the space inside the tubular wall 26 of the container 2E.

The lid member 3E includes a top plate portion 32, a convex portion 31 protruding downward from the top plate portion 32, and a tubular skirt wall 36 hanging from the peripheral edge of the top plate portion 32. The top plate portion 32 has a recess along the shape of the convex portion 31, and an outlet 38 is provided at the center of the recess. The outlet 38 is covered with a peel-open type film material 39. A female screw portion 37 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular skirt wall 36, and a male screw portion 27 screwed with the female screw portion 37 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the container 2E. By controlling the attachment / detachment work of the lid member 3E to / from the container 2E by the screwing mechanism, the attachment / detachment work can be made uniform regardless of the operator's procedure, so that the container vibration due to the forcible attachment / detachment of the lid member is generated. It's hard to happen. In the present embodiment, a packing ring R having an L-shaped cross section is interposed between the top plate portion 32 and the convex portion 31 of the lid member 3E and the edge portion 21 of the container 2D.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, when the device 1E is used, the liquid L and the fragile substance S are housed inside the cylindrical wall 26 of the container 2E, and the lid member 3E is attached. At this time, the liquid L is poured up to the height of the edge of the tubular wall 26, and a convex surface is formed on the liquid surface by surface tension (FIG. 9A). Next, the convex portion 31 is pressed against the opening of the tubular wall 26 to push out the liquid L. Since the convex portion 31 first contacts the top of the convex surface of the liquid surface and the contact area gradually increases, it is difficult for air bubbles to enter between the convex portion 31 and the liquid surface.

Since the space E outside the tubular wall 26 is located at a position lower than the edge of the tubular wall 26, the extruded liquid L is held in the space E. In this way, the space E functions as a liquid holding space. Then, while rotating the lid member 3E, the female screw portion 37 is screwed into the male screw portion 27 and brought into close contact with the packing ring R so that the liquid L held in the space E does not leak to the outside. Can be done. When the fragile material S is used, the fragile material S can be easily taken out from the outlet 38 without removing the lid member 3E by peeling off the film material 39 covering the outlet 38. Further, the lid member 3E may be removed after the film material 39 is peeled off to release the liquidtight state. When the screwing mechanism is used, the attachment / detachment work of the lid member is controlled, so that the attachment / detachment work can be made uniform regardless of the operator's technique, which may occur due to the forced attachment / detachment of the lid member by the operator. Vibration can be prevented.

As described above, according to the device 1E according to the first modification of the third embodiment, the liquid-tight state can be efficiently achieved by a simple mechanism and a simple operation, which is a great advantage in terms of workability and manufacturing cost. There is. Since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, air bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the air bubbles do not move in the container due to shaking of the container during transfer and damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-like cell culture, bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be damaged. 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, according to the device 1E according to the first modification of the third embodiment, the liquid-tight state can be easily released. Therefore, for example, the vibration of the container or the liquid due to the forcible removal of the lid member of the operator Since the generation of flow can be suppressed, fragile materials will not be damaged.
Further, according to the device 1E according to the first modification of the third embodiment, since the device 1E has a space for receiving the liquid extruded by the lid member, the surroundings are not contaminated. Therefore, it is suitable for use in a place where cleanliness is strictly controlled, such as a bioclean room used for producing sheet-shaped cell cultures.

The present embodiment can further have various modifications. For example, instead of providing the outlet 38 on the lid member 3D or 3E, the outlet 38 may be provided on the bottom of the container 2D or 2E and covered with the film material 39. The lid members 3, 3A, 3B, 3C and the like according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be attached. In addition, devices can be freely combined as appropriate, such as using containers 2, 2A, 2B, and 2C instead of containers 2D and 2E, and using an engaging mechanism between annular protrusions instead of a screwing mechanism between screw portions. May be configured. The outlet 38 and the film material 39 of the present embodiment may be applied to the lid members 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, the containers 2, 2A, 2B, 2C of the first and second embodiments, or the present embodiment. The container 2E and the L-shaped packing ring R of the above may be applied to the devices of the first and second embodiments.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Another aspect of the invention is a device comprising a container for containing a fragile material and a lid member for sealing the container, the gas and / or gas in the container containing the fragile material and the liquid in the lid member. Alternatively, the present invention relates to the device, which can form a liquid-tight space by extruding a liquid and bringing the lid member and a container into close contact with each other, and has an openable and closable discharge port for discharging the liquid.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the device 1F according to the fourth 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 figure does not indicate an actual size.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the device 1F according to the fourth embodiment includes a container 2F and a lid member 3F that seals the container 2F. The lid member 3F has a tubular skirt wall 36 that hangs down from the peripheral edge of the top plate portion 32. The inner diameter of the tubular skirt wall 36 is substantially the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the container 2F. The convex portion 31 of the lid member 3F has a circular dome shape. In the present embodiment, the lid member 3F is integrally molded with an elastic material, and is configured to be able to absorb the dimensional error of the device 1F. A discharge port 28 that can be opened and closed is provided on the side surface of the container 2F. The discharge port 28 is arranged at a position below the liquid level and close to the liquid level with the lid member 3F attached to the container 2F.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, when the device 1F is used, the liquid L and the fragile substance S are stored in the container 2F with the discharge port 28 closed, and the lid member 3F is attached to the container 2F. When the convex portion 31 is pushed into the container inner space, the gas in the container inner space is first pushed out, and then the liquid L is pushed out. When the lid member 3F is further pushed in, the lid member 3F molded from the elastic material expands and comes into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the edge portion 21 of the container 2F. As shown in FIG. 10B, when the fragile substance S is used, the discharge port 28 is opened to discharge the liquid L, the lid member 3F is removed, and the fragile substance S is taken out. In the present embodiment, since the liquid L is discharged before the lid member 3F is removed, the liquid L can be removed in a state where the lid member 3F and the liquid surface are not in contact with each other, and the liquid surface does not undulate. Further, since the discharge port 28 is arranged at a position close to the liquid surface and away from the fragile material S, it is difficult for the liquid in the container 2F to flow even if the liquid is discharged, and damage to the fragile material is prevented. be able to.

As described above, according to the device 1F according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, since the lid can be efficiently attached and detached with a simple mechanism and a simple operation, there are great merits in terms of workability and manufacturing cost. be. In addition, since the liquidtight state can be achieved regardless of the dimensional error of the lid or the container, the fluid does not move and the fragile material is not damaged. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-like cell culture, air bubbles do not move in the container and the laminate does not shift or chip. 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.

As described above, according to the device 1F according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a liquid-tight state can be efficiently achieved by a simple mechanism and a simple operation, so that there are great merits in terms of workability and manufacturing cost. be. Since the inside of the container can be completely liquid-tightened, air bubbles (gas) do not enter the container, and the air bubbles do not move in the container due to shaking of the container during transfer and damage the fragile material. In particular, when the fragile substance is a laminate of sheet-like cell culture, bubbles do not move and the laminate does not shift or be damaged. 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, according to the device 1F according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the liquid-tight state can be easily released. Therefore, for example, the vibration of the container or the flow of the liquid due to the forcible removal of the lid member of the operator. Since the occurrence of fragile materials can be suppressed, fragile materials will not be damaged.

The present embodiment can further have various modifications. The discharge port 28 can be applied to various devices, and may be provided, for example, in the containers 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E in the first to third embodiments. Further, for example, a cylindrical wall 26 is provided at the bottom of the container 2F in the present embodiment, a discharge port 28 is provided on the side surface of the tubular wall 26, and the edge of the tubular wall 26 is sealed by the lid member 3F. May be good. In this case, the space E outside the tubular wall 26 is not sealed, but the discharge port 28 can be accessed instead, so that the liquid L can be discharged, and further, the discharged liquid L can be discharged. Is hygienic because it is received by the space E outside the tubular wall 26.

Although the present invention has been described above with respect to the illustrated embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto.
An annular elastic sealing material 33 in the first embodiment, an annular protrusion in the second embodiment, a film material 39 in the third embodiment, a screw portion in the third embodiment, an L-shaped packing ring R in the third embodiment, a third. The cylindrical wall 26 in the third embodiment, the discharge port in the fourth embodiment, and the dome shape in the fourth embodiment can be suitably applied to all of the devices 1 to 1F in the first to fourth embodiments. Further, it is also possible to combine two or more configurations and apply them to the devices 1 to 1F. The lid members 3 to 3F and the containers 2 to 2F in the first to fourth embodiments can be freely combined.
In the present invention, each configuration can be replaced with any configuration capable of exhibiting the same function, or any configuration can be added.

The fragile material using the device of the present invention can be sequentially used, for example, by the following steps.
(1) Contain liquids and fragile substances in a container.
(2) The container is sealed while pushing out the gas and / or the liquid in the container with the lid member to make the inside of the container liquidtight.
(3) Transfer the device.
(4) Release the liquidtight state.
(5) Remove the lid member from the container.
(6) Take out vulnerable substances and use them.

In the present invention, the attachment / detachment of the lid member is performed in steps (2) and (5). Regarding the step (2), the gas in the container may be extruded by the convex portion 31 to be liquid-tight as in the devices 1, 1A, 1C and 1F, or the liquid surface may be made liquid-tight as in the devices 1B, 1D and 1E. After forming the convex surface, the liquid may be extruded by the lid member to make it liquidtight. When the gas in the container is extruded by the convex portion 31, a small amount of liquid may be extruded, but the space A, B, C, E or the like may be configured to accept the liquid. With respect to step (3), the locking mechanism by the annular protrusion can lock the device tightly and thus maintain a liquidtight state during transfer, but those skilled in the art can apply various known locking means. .. Regarding the step (4), the liquid-tight state may be released by deforming the elastic sealing material 33, peeling off the film material 39, or draining the liquid from the discharge port 28. By executing the step (5) after releasing the liquid-tight state, a strong force for removing the lid becomes unnecessary, and the liquid does not undulate when the lid is attached or detached.

1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F Device 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F Container, Inner container 21 Edge 22 Upper 23 Lower 24 Step 25 Second annular protrusion 26 Cylindrical wall 27 Male threaded part 28 Outlet port 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F Closure member, inner lid member 31 Convex part 32 Top plate part 33 Elastic sealing material 34 Bottom part 35 First annular protrusion 36 Cylindrical skirt wall 37 Female thread 38 outlet

Claims (7)

A device comprising a container for containing a fragile material and a lid member for sealing the container, wherein the lid member extrudes gas and / or liquid in a container containing the fragile material and liquid. A liquid-tight space can be formed by the close contact between the container and the container. The device having a protrusion that projects toward it. The device of claim 1, wherein the discharge port is located on the side of the container. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the discharge port is arranged at a position close to the liquid surface in a state where a liquid-tight space is formed. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which has a space for receiving the discharged liquid. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a part of the convex portion has a dome shape. 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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