JPH03297728A - Sample carrying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to carry information about a sample by providing an automatic bar code labeling device for the sample picked up on the output side of a sampling means and a bar code reader on the input side of an analyzing means, and making it possible to carry information about the sample automatically to the analyzing means together with a capsule, in a capsule using device inscribed in the title. CONSTITUTION:An automatic bar code labeling device 15 is equipped to the after stage of a first revolution distributor 13, and a bar code reader 17 for the purpose of automatically reading out the bar code stuck to a capsule is equipped to the front stage of a second revolution distributor 18. Picked up information about the sample and an indicating information about a desired analysis are recorded into a bar code in this constitution, a recorded bar code paper is stuck to the capsule for enclosing the sample, and carried, therefore the information can be managed independently from each other in a sample picking up side and a sample analyzing side, and automatically as well.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a sample transport device for transporting samples of liquids, gases, etc., and more specifically, information on each sample is transferred using a bar code along with a capsule containing a sample. The present invention relates to a sample transport device capable of transporting samples.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventors collected culture fluid from a microbial culture tank, and automatically transported the sample from the collection site to an analytical device located at a remote location for the purpose of analyzing the product concentration, pH 1 component, etc. of the collected sample. Unexamined Japanese patent publication 1986
It is disclosed in the specification of No.-232323.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a conventional system in which a sample transport device connects a long distance from a culture tank to an analyzer. The above-mentioned sample transportation system was described in a paper written by the present inventors on pages 175 to 179 of "Bioindustry Equipment and Equipment" published by the Bioindustry Association on September 1, 1986. Published under the name.

In the above system, the culture solution is distributed in multiple culture tanks 1 with different culture conditions (only one culture tank is shown in the figure).
From there, it is pumped up by a peristal pump 3 into a corresponding sampling container, that is, a flow cell 2, and after being temporarily trapped in each flow cell 2, it is returned to the culture tank. The culture solution in each flow cell 2 is sampled by a syringe 4. The syringe 4 that has sampled the culture solution moves to the position of the capsule 6 on the rotary table 5 and injects the culture solution into the capsule 6. After injection, the syringe 4 is moved to the washing water container 7 and washed.

The culture solution is injected into the capsule by piercing the rubber gasket of the capsule lid with the tip of a syringe. After injection, the capsule remains airtight. Capsules are sequentially fed to the rotary table 5 from the capsule feeder 8 and prepared for the next process.

The flow cell 2ζ1 syringe 4, rotary table 5, wash water container 7, and capsule feeder 8 are arranged in a clean box 11 equipped with a sterilizer 9 and an air filter 10.

The capsule 6 filled with the culture solution is transported to the input side of the first rotary distributor 1, 3 via the transport pipe 12 under the action of pressurized air introduced via the valve 14. The transport pipes 12 connect each clean box 11 to the input side of the first rotary distributor 13, and the number of transport pipes 12 corresponds to the number of clean boxes.

The capsules 6 leaving the output side of the first rotary distributor 13 are transported via the main transport pipe 16 to the input side of the second rotary distributor 18 . An analysis path suitable for the purpose is selected via the second rotary distributor 18, and the capsule 6 is transferred via the transport pipe 12 into a clean box 19 connected to a desired analyzer.

By intervening the first rotary distributor 13, it is possible to perform various kinds of sampling from a plurality of culture tanks with different culture conditions, and by interposing the second rotary distributor 18, liquid chromatography, amino acid analysis, etc. It becomes possible to use a desired analyzer at any time from among various analyzers such as the analyzer.

The capsule 6 transported to a clean box 19 connected to a desired analyzer is positioned on a rotary table 20, and stopped below the syringe 21 by rotation of the rotary table 20. Next, the syringe 21 extracts the culture solution from inside the capsule 6, moves above the sample container 22 for the analyzer, and puts the culture solution into the sample container 22 to start analysis. The used syringe 21 is moved to the washing water container 23, washed, and prepared for the next step. The used capsule 6 falls and is collected.

Analysis of the culture medium in microbial culture as described above provides important information in maintaining high yields of microbial products. Therefore, in order to understand the optimal culture conditions and the ever-changing conditions inside the culture tank, it is necessary to take out a large number of samples and obtain as much information as possible. However, the conventional sample transportation system described above does not have any means for automatically transmitting information such as the date and time, temperature, type, etc. of the collected sample, and information such as the desired analysis content together with the sample.

Generally, the culture fluid collection room and the analysis room are several tens of meters apart from each other, and the collection process and the analysis process do not necessarily coincide in time, so the culture fluid collection room and the analysis room handle samples completely independently. It is clear that information management is desirable. However, with conventional systems, there is a problem in that it is not possible to manage information completely independently between the culture fluid collection room and the analysis room without human effort, and therefore it is not possible to achieve full automation of the system. Ta.

In addition, barcodes are well known as a means of transmitting information, and the date of manufacture, location, number, etc. of a product are already recorded in the barcode, and the recorded barcode is read out and used for production and sales. Barcodes are used by printing directly on products or by printing them on stickers and pasting them on products. However, unless special measures are taken, for small cylindrical articles with a diameter of about 13 mm, such as culture capsules, it is necessary to attach the barcode paper securely without wrinkles, and to make sure that the attached barcode remains intact. There was a problem in that accurate reading could not be performed without causing defocus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sample transport device that is capable of transporting information about each sample using a bar code together with a capsule containing a sample.

Furthermore, the present invention makes it possible to reliably attach a barcode paper to a capsule containing a sample without wrinkles, and to read the barcode attached to the capsule accurately without causing defocusing. , aims to provide a sample transport device.

Means for Solving the Problems According to the present invention, there is provided a sampling means for encapsulating a sample to be analyzed in a capsule, an analysis means for analyzing the sample encapsulated in the capsule, and an output of the sampling means. and a transport means for transporting the capsule to the analysis means, the sample transport device comprising: a transport means for transporting the capsule to the analysis means, wherein the output side of the sample pulling means automatically imprints a barcode recording information on the collected sample on the capsule. The input side of the analysis means is equipped with a barcode reader to automatically read the barcode affixed to the capsule, and desired information about the sample along with the capsule is provided. By automatically transporting the sample from the sampling means to the analysis means, information regarding the sample can be managed independently and automatically in the sampling means and the analysis means. Provide sample transport equipment.

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the sample transport device of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a sample transport device according to the present invention. The structure of the illustrated sample transport device is similar to the conventional sample transport device shown in FIG. The point is that a barcode reader 17 is attached to the rear of the first rotary distributor 13 and is attached to the front of the second rotary distributor 18 for automatically reading the barcode affixed to the capsule. They are fundamentally different.

According to the present invention, the barcode automatic labeling device 15 may be attached to the front stage of the first rotary distributor 13, and the barcode reader 17 may be attached to the rear stage of the second rotary distributor 18. , can be combined as appropriate depending on the purpose. It is also possible to remove the first rotary distributor 13 and the second rotary distributor 18 and connect the transport pipe 12 directly to the barcode automatic labeling device 15 or the barcode reader 17.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an automatic barcode labeling device suitable for the sample transportation device of the present invention.

The illustrated labeling device includes a barcode printer 30. The barcode printer 30 outputs a roll paper 31 on which 3 4 predetermined information is printed on a barcode. The roll paper 31 is wound up by a winding roller 34 via an edge member 32 having an acute edge for peeling the barcode paper from the roll paper 31 and a pair of pinch rollers 33. ing. The pair of pinch rollers 33 and take-up roller 34 are rotationally driven by a motor 35.

The labeling device also includes a labeler head 37 having a plurality of suction holes 36 formed in its end face.

The labeler head 37 is configured to reciprocate in the direction of arrow A due to the action of the linear slide 38. The labeler head 37 and the linear slide 38 are fixed in the rotational direction of a rotating shaft 40 of a motor 39, and are moved between a horizontal position and a position facing the edge member 32 by the forward and reverse rotational movement of the motor 39. It can perform forward and reverse rotational motion in the direction of B. The labeler head 37 and the linear slide 38 are also connected via a shaft 40 to a screw mechanism 43 that threads into a threaded rotating shaft 42 of another motor 41 . Therefore, the screw mechanism 43 can be reciprocated in the direction of the arrow C by the forward and reverse rotation of the motor 41, and the labeler head 37 can be reciprocated in the direction of the arrow C. A pair of suction tubes 44 are connected to the labeler head 37, and by suctioning through the suction tubes 44, the barcode paper peeled from the roll paper 31 can be adsorbed to the end surface of the labeler head 37. It looks like this.

The illustrated labeling device further comprises a turntable 45 for stopping the passage of the capsules 6 transferred via the main transport pipe 16. The upper and lower cap parts of the stopped capsule 6 face the annular guide 46, and the capsule 6
The middle part of is open to the outside. The turntable 45 is rotationally driven by a motor 47. Motor 47 also rotationally drives eccentric cam 48 . The eccentric cam 48 has a roller 50 with a slide table 49 provided at one end thereof.
are in contact through. The slide table 49 is biased in the direction of the eccentric cams 45 6 8 by a spring (not shown), and is reciprocated in the direction of the arrow E parallel to the arrow A by the action of the eccentric cam 48 . A pair of rollers 51 is provided at the other end of the slide table 49.

One hole 52 having a diameter slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the capsule 6 is formed in the turntable 45 . Below the turntable 45, the main transport pipe 16 is discontinuous, and a shutter 54 operated by a rotary solenoid 53 intervenes in this annular discontinuous part so as to completely cover the cross section of the main transport pipe 16. It has become. The shutter 54 is closed to the lower transport pipe 56 by the action of the magnet 55.
Seal the end face. The lower transport pipe 56 is formed with an inlet 57 for introducing compressed air.

In operation, the barcode paper output from the barcode printer 30 stops at the edge member 32. A labeler head 37 is initially positioned at a position facing the stopped barcode paper, and when the barcode paper stops at the edge member 32 position, a linear solenoid 38 is activated.
Due to this action, the end surface of the labeler head 37 and the barcode paper come into contact with each other. The roll paper 31 is rolled by the action of the take-up roller 34.
When the barcode paper is further fed, the barcode paper is peeled off from the roll paper 31 due to the action of the sharp edges formed on the edge member 32. As the roll paper 31 moves, the labeler head 37 also rotates, and the peeled barcode paper is attracted to the end surface of the labeler head 37. While adsorbing the barcode paper to the end surface, the labeler head 37 rotates in the direction of arrow B and stops at a horizontal position.

On the other hand, the motor 47 is configured to rotate intermittently, for example, by 120 degrees, and the capsule 6 is connected to the turntable 45.
When stopped above the turntable 45 and eccentric cam 4
8 rotates 120 degrees and stops at the position shown. At this position, the slide table 49 is closest to the capsule 6, and the pair of rollers 51 come into contact with the capsule 6, as shown in FIG. 2A. At the same time that the pair of rollers 51 come into contact with the capsule 6, the labeler head 37 facing directly also comes into contact with the capsule 6 due to the action of the linear solenoid . However, the initial contact point between the capsule 6 and the labeler head 37 is near one end of the labeler head 37. Next, the labeler head 37 is moved in the direction of arrow F by the action of the screw mechanism 43.

This movement causes the capsule 6 and the pair of rollers 51 to rotate as shown. In this way, the barcode paper can be reliably affixed to the cylindrical middle portion of the capsule without wrinkling so that the bars of the barcode are parallel to the axial direction of the capsule. Capsules are often manufactured from materials with low adhesion, such as Teflon, in consideration of their resistance to culture fluid, so it is best to paste barcode paper all around the capsule, preferably overlapping some of the capsules. .

When the barcode paper is pasted on the capsule 6, the labeler head 37 returns to its initial position facing the edge member and prepares for the next process. On the other hand, the eccentric cam 48 and the turntable 45 further rotate 120 degrees and then stop. In this state, the hole 52 of the turntable 45 moves to the position of the capsule 6, the capsule 6 drops, and the slide table 49 retreats to the position farthest from the capsule 6. When the capsule 6 falls and passes the turntable 45, the eccentric cam 48 and the turntable 45 further rotate 120 degrees, return to the initial position, and stop to prepare for the next step.

Next, the shutter 54 is moved to a position completely crossing the lower transport pipe 56 by the action of the rotary solenoid 53, and is attracted by the magnet 55 to seal the end face of the lower transport pipe 56. Compressed air is introduced from the inlet 57 to transfer the capsule 6 to the barcode reader 17.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a barcode reader suitable for the sample transportation device of the present invention.

The illustrated barcode reader is similar to the mechanism located on the left side of the transport pipe 16 in the figure, which is part of the barcode automatic labeling device 15 shown in FIG. The major difference is that the illustrated barcode reader includes a barcode reader head 58 and another slide 90 tip 59 directly facing the slide table 49.

The barcode reader head 58 focuses on the surface of the middle portion of the capsule 6 that is stopped on the turntable 45, and is positioned so as to be able to read the barcode affixed to the capsule. slide table 5
A drive roller 60 is provided at the end of the capsule 9,
The two slide tables 49,59 are connected by a wire 61 as shown. Therefore, the two slide tables 49, 59 are reciprocated in opposite directions in the direction of arrow E by the same distance.

A roller 60 connected to the slide table 59 is rotationally driven by a motor 62.

In operation, the motor 47 is configured to rotate intermittently, for example, by 120 degrees, and when the capsule 6 with the barcode paper affixed is transferred through the main transport pipe 16 and stopped on the turntable 45, The turntable 45 and the eccentric cam 48 rotate 120 degrees and stop at the illustrated position. In this position two slide tables 49 and 59
is closest to the capsule 6, and as shown in FIG. 3A, a pair of rollers 51 and a driving roller 60 abut against the capsule 6 and hold the capsule 6 fixedly. Next, the drive roller 60 is rotated by the drive of the motor 62, and this rotation causes the capsule 6 and the pair of rollers 51 that come into contact with the drive roller 60 to rotate.
rotates as shown. Thus, while the capsule 6 is rotating, the affixed barcode is reliably and accurately read by the barcode reader head 58.

When the barcode affixed to capsule 6 is read,
The eccentric cam 48 and turntable 45 further rotate 120 degrees and then stop. In this state, the hole 52 of the turntable 45 moves to the position of the capsule 6, the capsule 6 falls, and the two slide tables 49 and 59 retreat to the position farthest from the capsule 6. When the capsule 6 falls and passes the turntable 45, the eccentric cam 48 and the turntable 45 further rotate 120 degrees, return to the initial position, and stop to prepare for the next step.

Next, the shutter 54 is moved to a position completely crossing the lower transport pipe 56 by the action of the rotary solenoid 1 2 53, and is attracted by the magnet 55 to seal the end face of the lower transport pipe 56. Compressed air is introduced through the inlet 57 and the capsules 6 are transferred via the second rotary distributor 18 to a clean box 19 connected to the analyzer.

Effects of the Invention As described above, in the sample transportation device of the present invention, sample collection information and instruction information regarding desired analysis are recorded in a barcode, and the recorded barcode paper is affixed to a capsule containing a sample for transportation. In other words, since information regarding the sample is transported together with the sample, information can be managed independently and automatically on the sample collection side and the sample analysis side. As a result, even if the sample collection side and the sample analysis side are separated by a considerable distance, information can be transmitted reliably, significantly improving the reliability of this device, and making it possible to fully automate a sample analysis system incorporating this device. Become.

Further, according to the aspects (2) to (4), it is possible to reliably attach barcode paper to the side surface of a small-diameter cylindrical capsule without wrinkles.

Furthermore, according to the aspects (5) to (7), it is possible to reliably and accurately read the barcode affixed to the side surface of the small-diameter cylindrical capsule.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a sample transportation device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an embodiment of an automatic barcode labeling device suitable for the sample transportation device according to the present invention. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating the process of attaching barcode paper to a capsule, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a barcode reader suitable for the sample transport device of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a diagram schematically showing the configuration; FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating the process of reading a barcode attached to a capsule; FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a conventional sample transport device. FIG. ■...Culture tank, 4.Φ syringe, 6..Capsule, 12..Transport pipe, 13..First rotary distributor, 15..Barcode automatic labeling device, 16..Main transport pipe, 17.. - Barcode reader, 18... Second rotary distributor, 30... Barcode printer, 36... Suction hole, 37... Labeler head, 45... Turntable, 48... Eccentric cam, 49... Slide Table, 58...Rad 5 to barcode reader

Claims (7)

[Claims] (1) A sampling means for enclosing a sample to be analyzed in a small-diameter cylindrical capsule, an analysis means for analyzing the sample enclosed in the capsule, and a transfer of the capsule output from the sampling means to the analysis means. A sample transport device comprising: a tubular transport means for carrying out the sampling, and a bar code on the output side of the sampling means for automatically affixing a bar code recording information regarding the collected sample to the capsule; An automatic labeling device and a barcode reader for automatically reading a barcode attached to the capsule are provided on the input side of the analysis means, and desired information regarding the sample along with the capsule is transmitted from the sampling means to the analysis means. A sample transport device, characterized in that information regarding the sample can be managed independently and automatically in the sampling means and the analysis means by automatically transporting the sample to the sampling means and the analysis means. (2) The barcode automatic labeling device comprises a stop-holding means for stopping and holding the capsule in a predetermined position in the transport means, and a suction-holding means for suction-holding the barcode paper to be affixed. , and a slide means having a pair of rollers spaced apart from each other at one end, the pair of rollers and one end of the barcode paper held by the suction holding means are brought into contact with the side surface of the capsule held stationary. The capsule is rotated about its axis by moving the suction holding means while pressing the barcode paper against the side surface of the capsule, and the barcode paper is rotated on the side surface of the capsule so that the bars are parallel to the axis of the capsule. The device according to claim 1, wherein barcode paper is wrapped around and pasted on the barcode. (3) The stop and hold means is a turntable having a through hole that traverses the transport means and selectively allows the capsule to pass through, and the suction and hold means has a plurality of suction holes on its end surface;
This is a labeler head that can adsorb barcode paper peeled off from a roll paper output by a barcode printer to its end face, and the slide means is biased to contact an eccentric cam via a roller, Due to the action of the cam, the pair of rollers reciprocates between a position where they contact the side of the capsule and a position where they are retreated from the side, and the labeler head transfers the barcode paper that has been peeled off from the roll paper to the end face. It can rotate between a suction position and a position where barcode paper is pasted on the side surface of the capsule, can reciprocate in parallel to the direction of movement of the slide means, and can abut against the side surface of the capsule. 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the device is capable of reciprocating in a direction that rotates the capsule. (4) The means for rotating the labeler head is a rotating shaft of a motor that rotates in forward and reverse directions, and the means for reciprocating the labeler head in parallel with the movement direction of the slide means is a linear shaft connected to the labeler head. The means for reciprocating the labeler head in the direction in which the capsule rotates is a solenoid, and is a screw mechanism that is threaded into a threaded rotating shaft of a motor that rotates in forward and reverse directions. 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the peeling means is a member having an acute edge. (5) The barcode reader includes a second stopping and holding means for stopping and holding the capsule in a predetermined position in the transportation means, a rotating means for rotating the capsule, and a rotating capsule. The device according to any one of claims (1) to (4), further comprising a barcode reader head for reading a barcode affixed to a barcode. (6) The second stopping and holding means is a turntable having a through hole that traverses the transport means and selectively allows the capsule to pass through, and the rotating means has a pair of rollers spaced apart from each other at one end. a first slide table equipped with a first slide table, and a second slide table with one drive roller rotated by a motor at one end, and the pair of rollers and the drive roller are brought into contact with the side surface of the capsule, The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the capsule is rotated by rotationally driving a drive roller. (7) The first slide table is urged to come into contact with the eccentric cam via a roller, and due to the action of the eccentric cam, the pair of rollers move from the side to the position where the pair of rollers come into contact with the side surface of the capsule. The second slide table is wire-coupled to move the same distance in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the first slide table. The device according to any one of claims (1) to (6), characterized in that: