JPH01184465A - Automatic supplying system for dispensing tip - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To always surely supply dispensing tips continuously and automatically by one piece each by forming the tips as a length of chain. CONSTITUTION:The tips 1 in the form of a length of chain are wound around a winding core shaft 2 and are stocked. The total number of the tips is not particularly limited. The tips can be intermittently let out by ordinary means such as rotational driving of the shaft 2 or the like. The use of the other letting off means for intermittent driving while the shaft 2 is held freely turnable is equally possible. Suitable tip detecting means 3a, 3b are disposed on both sides of the tip array to check the presence of the tips. Idle feeding of the tips is thus prevented. The detecting means are also usable for controlling the driving timing of the driving means for the intermittent driving of the tips.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a system for continuously and automatically supplying disposable tips attached to dispensing tips.

[Prior art] Micropipettes are used to dilute liquids or dispense predetermined amounts of specimens or reagents during experiments and research in clinical testing or various natural science, engineering, and industrial fields. .

The basic structure of a micropipette is almost the same as that of a syringe, and as shown in FIG. 6, a piston 17 is inserted into a hollow part 16 of a cylindrical body 15. This piston is biased by a spring 18.

A substantially conical hollow tip 1 is attached to the tip 20 of the cylindrical body 15 . This chip is discarded to prevent liquid contamination.

When the pressing part 19 at the upper end of the piston in FIG. 6 is pushed down, the piston 17 descends and the liquid in the tip 1 is discharged.

When the finger is released from the pressing portion 19, the piston 17 is raised by the spring 18 and sucks the liquid into the tip. piston 1
By adjusting the stroke of 7, the amount of liquid sucked into the tip can be changed. Under no circumstances should liquid be sucked into the hollow ffl<18 of the barrel 15.

Since the tips are delivered in bulk, if the micropipette is a T-motion type, tips can be replaced manually, but if it is an automatic type, the tips must be aligned. However, since the hollow part of the chip also has a large taper, when the exit of another chip enters the population of one chip, the taper of each chip will cause them to be tightly connected like "rust".
It becomes difficult to separate. When such a scooking phenomenon occurs, it is extremely difficult to individually supply tips even using vibration, which impedes the automation of micropipettes.

Furthermore, when considering automation of chip supply, it is necessary to automatically detect the directionality of chips, excess or deficiency, and position them.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a system for automatically and continuously supplying a dispensing tip to a micropipette.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and also achieve the object of the present invention, the present invention provides a dispensing tip comprising a series of dispensing tips. Provides an automatic chip supply system.

[Function] As described above, according to the present invention, since the dispensing tips are arranged in a series, one end of the series can be used as the tip supply end. Therefore, by positioning this supply end,
It is capable of automatically and reliably supplying chips one by one at all times.

゛ In this way, complete automation of the dispensing and diluting device can be achieved.

In addition, since the chips are connected together, not only can the chips be separated individually (the direction and position of the chips can also be determined easily), but the excess or deficiency of chips can also be easily and reliably detected by the sensor.Furthermore, It is also possible to reduce the chip storage area.

Not only is the transfer of the tip to the automatic attachment mechanism for attaching the tip to the tip of the micropipette reliable, but the automatic attachment mechanism can also be significantly simplified, since only one shaft is required.

[Example] Hereinafter, the automatic dispensing tip supply system of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a R'll perspective view showing a specific example of the automatic dispensing tip supply system of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a series of chips L are wound around a winding core shaft 2 and stored. The total number of chips is not particularly limited. The chips can be fed out intermittently by conventional means such as rotating the winding core shaft 2. or,
It is also possible to leave the winding core shaft 2 in a free rotating state and use other intermittent driving feeding means (not shown). Preferably, suitable chip detection means 3a+3b are arranged on both sides of the chip row to confirm the presence of chips. In this way, empty feeding of chips is prevented. This detection means can also be used for the purpose of regulating the drive timing of the drive means for intermittent feeding of chips. As the detection means, for example, optical detection means consisting of a light emitting part and a light receiving part can be used. The arrangement position of the chip detection means is not limited to the illustrated example. 1 chip
It can also be arranged at a position where it can be taken out individually.

Since the chips are manufactured by molding plastic raw materials, each chip 1 is taken out from the mold with its upper end connected by a tab 4, as shown in FIG. Previously, this tab was cut and the chips were packaged and delivered separately. In the present invention, the tabs are not cut and used in the connected state.

In Figure 2, the rightmost chip in the figure is placed in the holder 5a.
95 b by clamping it from both sides. Thereafter, the tab between this fixed chip and the adjacent chip is cut with cutters 6a, 6b to separate the fixed chip from the chain. Then, the cut-off tip is attached to the tip 20 of the micropipette 15, either on the spot or at another location.

When molding chips, it is practically difficult to manufacture them all at once with hundreds or even several chips connected together. Therefore, if the tabs are cut and the chips are packaged and delivered in bulk, the chips should be inserted into the holes 8 drilled at predetermined intervals in the long tape 7, as shown in FIG. By inserting and holding the chips one by one, a series of chips is constructed. Inserting the chips into the holes in the tape can be done manually or automatically by a suitable parts feeder. Since the length of the tape is not particularly limited, this method
For example, it is r+7 possible to combine several thousand chips with -.

In the case of the method shown in FIG. 3, by winding one end of the tape with a winding roll 9, the chip 1 can be fed intermittently. In this case, as in the system shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable to arrange appropriate chip detection means 3a, 3b on both sides of the chip row in order to confirm the presence of chips. The seven detection stages can also be used for intermittent feeding of chips, for example, for regulating the drive timing of the drive means of the take-up roll.

In the case of the method shown in FIG. 3 as well, the chip is fixed at an appropriate position by being held between the holders 5a*5b from both sides. The tip is then attached to the tip 20 of the micropipette, either in situ or at another location.

The perforated tape 7 can be made of polymeric film, fabric, or thin metal sheet. +IT tape can also be used. The tape 7 may be a belt. Endless belts, packets, etc. can also be used.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, the chips 1 delivered in bulk are stored in the hopper 10 in a certain direction, and the chips are dropped one by one into the guide hole 11 by means such as vibration. This also allows the chips to be made into a series. The chip 1 that has entered the guide hole 11 falls under its own weight due to gravity and heads toward the exit 1112 of the guide hole 11.

It is preferable that a stopper 13 is disposed on this outlet L112 in order to ensure that only one chip can be taken out.

On the outside of the outlet 12 of the guide hole 10, a substantially U-shaped engagement 1F means 14 is provided, as shown in FIG. 5, for example. - The chip l which has been pushed out by gravity from the side is suspended in the air and stops at this engaging +E means 14. Chip detection means 3a as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

3b is preferably provided. This detection means can also be used for intermittent feeding of chips, for example, for regulating the drive timing of the drive means (not shown) of the stopper 13.

In the case of the method using a guide hole, as shown in FIG. 5, the chip suspended in midair outside the exit of the guide hole is fixed by being held from both sides by holders 5a*5b. The tip l is then attached to the tip 20 of the micropipette 15, either in situ or at another location.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, since the dispensing tips are arranged in a series, one end of the series can be used as the tip supply end. Therefore, by positioning this supply end, it becomes possible to always reliably and automatically supply chips one by one.

In this way, complete automation of the dispensing Φ diluter can be achieved.

Moreover, since the chips are arranged in a series, not only can the chips be separated individually, but also the direction and position of the chips can be easily determined. Sensors can easily and reliably detect excess or deficiency of chips. Furthermore, it is also possible to reduce the chip storage area.

Not only is the transfer of the tip to the automatic attachment mechanism for attaching the tip to the tip of the micropipette reliable, but the automatic attachment mechanism can also be significantly simplified, since only one shaft is required.

By automating the supply of chips, workers no longer have to touch the chips themselves, which helps prevent chip contamination.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows a specific example of the automatic dispensing tip supply system of the present invention. ! FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a state in which tips connected by tabs are clamped and fixed and separated, and FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing another specific example of the automatic supply system for dispensing tips of the present invention. , FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing another specific example of the automatic dispensing tip supply system of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 shows an example of a micropipette. It is a schematic sectional view. 1... Chip, 2... Winding core shaft, 3a and 3b...
- Chip detection means, 4... tabs, 5a and 5b...
-Tip holder tea and 6b...tab cutter. 7...tape, 8...hole, 9...take-up roll. 10...Hopper, 11-...Guide hole, 12...
Guide hole 1], 13...stopper, 14...locking ring. 15... Cylindrical body, 1B-... Hollow part, 17... Piston. 18... Spring, 19... Pressing part, 20... Micropipette tip part Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 Fig. 5 Fig. 6

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) An automatic dispensing tip supply method consisting of a series of dispensing tips. (2) After winding a plurality of strip-shaped chips connected by tabs during molding around a core shaft, feeding out the strip-shaped chips intermittently, and fixing the tip at the tip with a clamping means. 2. The automatic dispensing tip feeding system according to claim 1, further comprising cutting a tab between adjacent tips. (3) inserting a chip into each hole of a long tape having a plurality of holes drilled in a row at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction;
2. The automatic dispensing tip feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the tip is intermittently fed while the tip of the tape is wound up with a take-up roll. (4) The dispensing tip according to claim 1, wherein the tip stored horizontally in a certain direction in the hopper is allowed to fall by gravity through a guide hole, initially horizontally and vertically at the exit side. Automatic feeding method.