JPH06296481A - Automatic smearer for inspection object - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an automatic smearer for a specimen capable of improving the operating efficiency and working environment and reducing the installation site by mechanizing and automating the whole smearing treatment for the specimen. CONSTITUTION:Groups of petri dishes are periodically fed to a position (A0) of a petri dish group feeder (A) one by one based on a signal of a controlling part 2 and the petri dishes are then pulled out from the petri dish group fed to the position (A0) one by one with a conveyor (B). The upper and lower lids of each petri dish are then separated at a position (A2) with a lid separating and superposing device (C). The lower lid is transferred to a position (A5) with a petri dish transferring and rotating device (D) and a culture medium in the lower lid is then smeared with a specimen smearing device (E). The lower lid is subsequently transferred to the position (A2) with the petri dish transferring and rotating device (D). The upper and lower lids are then superposed with the lid separating and superposing device (C) and the petri dishes are stacked to a prescribed number with a petri dish stacker (H). The resultant petri dish group is discharged to a storing position (J) with a petri dish group discharger (I) and stored.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for automatically smearing a test object (hereinafter referred to as a sample) to be cultured and tested on a medium such as agar in a culture container such as a petri dish. In particular, the present invention relates to an automatic spreader when the sample collecting tool (spraying tool) is rod-shaped or spoon-shaped.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, general work for coating samples such as cultures of food, soil, stool, bacteria, yeasts, molds, cells of organisms, etc. on a medium in a culture container such as a petri dish and storing them. Is done exclusively by hand. Particularly, regarding the application of the sample to the medium, various patterns such as straight line, zigzag, corrugated, and spiral are applied according to the type of the sample, and the culture is performed in a predetermined amount (after the culture). The coating state (pattern, thickness, etc.) must be strictly controlled so that it can be easily inspected. However, since the processing was done manually, the coating state should be managed the same. However, in some cases, the test was impossible because the culture was performed more than necessary during the culture, or conversely, the culture did not proceed. In addition, regarding the smearing of the sample collected from stool, it is necessary to smear the sample onto the medium in an extremely dilute manner. Therefore, the operator takes advantage of the fact that the coating thickness becomes thinner as the moving speed of the coating tool (spoon shape, spoon shape, etc.) to which the sample adheres increases and the desired coating thickness is utilized. I try to get it. However,
In this case, the coating speed must be extremely high, the medium must not be damaged, and even double coating may not be allowed. Therefore, it is extremely difficult and requires skill to obtain a desired coating thickness by hand. Moreover, in the case of using stool as a sample, many samples must be processed intensively and in a short period of time, so a large number of skilled workers are required and the working time is also long. The reality is that it becomes too large.

In addition, when a sample is unnecessarily attached to the applicator, a predetermined application state cannot be obtained in many cases. The amount of adhesion was adjusted by wiping with the like. Therefore, when the roll paper is not sufficiently sterilized, another sample or another bacterium may adhere to the sample to be inspected, which causes a problem that an accurate inspection cannot be performed.

In the case of testing a large number of specimens, it is necessary to manually apply each specimen individually to each petri dish and to associate each specimen with each petri dish. Therefore, in other words, in order to prevent confusion, each petri dish must be manually filled with a symbol, a number, etc. corresponding to the sample, which is a very troublesome situation.

As described above, it is strongly desired to mechanize and automate the application work in order to eliminate the inconvenience caused by manual work and the low work efficiency when applying a large number of specimens. Furthermore, many specimens are uncomfortable to handle, and there is also the risk of bacterial infection, etc., and in terms of improving the working environment and health management, mechanization of such a smearing work,
The reality is that automation is desired.

[0006]

Therefore, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-314529, the applicants of the present application can improve the work efficiency in the application work of a specimen of this type, and the application state We have proposed a sample application method and a sample application device that can control the amount of the sample to a substantially constant level and that is also excellent in the storage of the sample. However, although this work can significantly improve the low work efficiency by manual work by mechanizing and automating the sample coating work itself, it can be said that it is still completely mechanized and automated. In other words, it cannot be said that it is sufficient in terms of improving the work environment and health management.

That is, since the operator has to successively supply the sample and the petri dish in the application apparatus, it is impossible to automatically and neatly process a large number of samples, so that the operator is always engaged in the operation. It was the same as before in that it had to be. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and automatically conveys a plurality of petri dishes in sequence, and smears the specimen, and then regularly carries out and stores the petri dish so as to prevent confusion of the petri dishes. In this way, by automating and automating the entire sample application process, it is possible to improve the work efficiency, improve the working environment, improve health management, and reduce the installation space. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

Therefore, in the automatic smearing device for an inspection object according to the present invention, a plurality of culture container groups in which a plurality of culture containers are stacked are held and periodically supplied one by one to a predetermined position. A culture vessel group supply device, a culture vessel drawer device for pulling out one culture vessel from the culture vessel group supplied to the predetermined position, and a lid separating device for separating the upper lid and the lower lid of the drawn culture vessel. An inspection target application device for applying an inspection target to the medium in the separated lower cover at a predetermined inspection target application position, and the separated upper cover and lower cover after the inspection target application And a lid polymerization device for polymerizing, a culture container stacking device for sequentially stacking the culture containers in which the upper lid and the lower lid are polymerized, and a separate culture container group each time the stacked culture containers reach a predetermined number. Dispose and store in A nutrient vessel group discharge and storage apparatus was constructed and a control unit for controlling the operation of each device.

The culture container withdrawing device restricts the horizontal movement of the container group above the lowermost position of the culture container group carried into the predetermined position and withdraws only the culture container at the lowermost position in the horizontal direction. It may be configured to include a support mechanism that supports it freely and a drawer mechanism that pulls out the culture container at the lowest position. The drawer mechanism is a drawer claw that is freely formed to engage the rear end of the lower end of the culture container at the lowermost position to draw out the culture container in one direction, and after pulling out the culture container, It is preferable that the reciprocating mechanism returns to the pull-out start position in order to pull out the culture container and the swing mechanism that swings the pull-out claw so as not to interfere with the next culture container.

The lid separating device separates the upper and lower lids of the culture container drawn out by the culture container drawing device by moving them in one direction by the culture container transporting device and vertically separating them. Good. Further, the lid polymerizing device is configured such that the upper lid separated by the lid separating device and the lower lid after application of the test object are moved in one direction by the culture container transporting device while being vertically approached to perform polymerization. Preferably.

By the way, the lid separating device and the lid superimposing device are a pair of lid separating and
The polymerization plate is arranged in parallel to the moving direction with an inner width larger than the lower lid of the culture container and smaller than the upper lid, and the lower lid of the culture container is positioned between the pair of lid separation / polymerization plates, and the upper lid is provided. With the lower end of the culture container in contact with the upper ends of the pair of lid separating / polymerizing plates, the culture container is moved in one direction by the culture container transporting device, so that the top and bottom of the culture container follow the substantially trapezoidal shape. It is also possible to separate and polymerize with the lid.

At the predetermined inspection object smearing position,
A lower lid that is provided with a rotating device that rotates the separated lower lid, wherein the inspection target application device moves in the radial direction while gripping the application tool at the predetermined position, and is rotated by the rotating device. It is also possible to bring the test object into contact with the medium in the lower lid while moving relative to the test object so as to apply the test object in a spiral shape.

Further, there is provided a transfer device for transferring the lower lid separated by the lid separating device to the predetermined inspection object coating position, and for returning to the original position again after the inspection object coating, The application device may grasp the application tool to which the inspection object is attached at the application position of the inspection object and apply it to the medium in the lower lid. Further, the transfer device may be configured to be freely swingable in a horizontal plane about a fixed support shaft, and may include the rotating device at a tip end portion thereof on which the lower lid is mounted.

The test object applying device holds the applicator so that it can move in the vertical direction freely when the test object is applied, and brings the applicator into contact with the medium only by its own weight to apply the test object. You can also choose to do so. The culture container stacking device is provided with a ratchet mechanism that allows upward movement of the culture container in which the upper lid and the lower lid are polymerized by the lid polymerization device and regulates the drop, and the culture container is predetermined through the ratchet mechanism. It is preferable to be configured to push up to a position and stack.

An inspection object holding device for holding a plurality of sampling tubes for storing inspection objects in a substantially vertical direction so that they can be fixed and opened, and a specified sampling tube among the plurality of sampling tubes are coated with the inspection object. An in-horizontal plane moving device that moves the inspection object holding device so that the inspection object holding device is moved to the spray position, and the inspection object spray device is an inspection object from the sampling tube moved to the inspection object spray position. It may be configured to include an inspection object grasping device that extracts and grasps the applicator to which an object adheres.

The inspection object holding device is configured to have a support member having a plurality of openings into which the plurality of sampling tubes are inserted and to support the sampling tubes in a substantially vertical direction, and to be freely movable in a horizontal plane, and the plurality of sampling tubes. For controlling the movement of the sampling tube pressing plate in the horizontal plane, the sampling tube pressing plate having an opening through which each of the plurality of sampling tubes penetrates and which can come into contact with each of the plurality of sampling tubes when moving in the horizontal plane. Thus, each sampling tube is clamped by the opening of the support member and the sampling tube pressing plate to restrict the vertical movement of each sampling tube, and the clamped state is released to perform sampling. It can be configured to include switching means for switching between an open state that allows the pipe to move in the vertical direction.

Further, the inspection object holding device is set above the horizontal plane moving device at a predetermined position so as to be engageable with the horizontal plane moving device in at least one reciprocating direction,
By moving the moving device in the horizontal plane from the set position to another predetermined position in the reciprocating direction, the mechanism linked to the movement positions and fixes the inspection object holding device on the moving device in the horizontal plane. On the other hand, it may be configured to include a fixing and releasing device configured to release the positioning and fixing and return to the original state by the movement in the direction opposite to the movement.

Further, when two or more paths for moving in the one reciprocating direction are provided side by side, and the inspection object holding device is set at each set position on each path, the horizontal plane moving device is set at each set position. The inspection object holding devices are disengaged from each other in the mutual direction, and the horizontal movement device moves one by one to the adjacent set position every time the inspection object holding device is processed to perform the next inspection. You may make it process an object holding device.

The fixed opening device is fixed to the main body of the device, is tilted in the vertical direction, and is provided with a pair of inclined frames which are parallel to each other with the inspection object holding device in the set position interposed therebetween.
A pair of inclined surfaces that are formed on both side surfaces of the inspection object holding device and that slidably contact the upper surfaces of the pair of inclined frames to support the inspection object holding device substantially vertically, By moving the moving device in the horizontal plane from a set position to a predetermined position, the inspection object holding device is moved downward while sliding the inspection object holding device along the inclined frame of the inclined surface, and the inspection object holding device. The inspection object holding device is positioned and fixed on the in-horizontal plane moving device by engaging the in-horizontal plane moving device in association with the movement, and the positioning fixing is released by the movement in the direction opposite to the movement. It can be configured by including a mechanism for returning the original state.

Then, a culture container drawing operation by the culture container group drawing device, a lid separating operation by the lid separating device, a lid polymerizing operation by the lid polymerizing device, and a culture container stacking operation by the culture container stacking device. , May be performed simultaneously, and the operation of applying the inspection object by the inspection object applying apparatus may be performed between the operations.

[0021] The operation of pulling out the culture vessel by the culture vessel group withdrawing device, the lid separating operation by the lid separating device, and the lid overlapping operation by the lid overlapping device, which are simultaneously performed, are one driving motor that rotates in one direction. And the two cam mechanisms driven by the drive motor and the culture vessels driven by the cam mechanisms and engaged with the respective operating culture vessels to carry out the corresponding operations while transporting the culture vessels in one direction, and then perform predetermined operations respectively. Preferably, each transport mechanism is cycled back into position.

It is also possible to include an identification mark printing device for printing an identification mark on the culture container in order to associate the inspection object with the culture container. Then, the printing operation by the identification code printing device is performed on the bottom surface of the lower lid of the culture container in synchronization with the operation of pulling out the culture container, the operation of separating the lid, the operation of stacking the lid, and the stacking operation of the culture vessels. You may do it.

By the way, the culture container group supply device, the culture container drawing device, the lid separating device, the lid polymerization device, the culture container transporting device, the culture container stacking device, and the culture container group discharging / storing device. When the identification mark printing device is provided, the identification mark printing device and the identification mark printing device are arranged so as to form a substantially U-shape, and the inspection target application device and other devices are arranged inside the U-shape. It is preferable to install it.

[0024]

According to the signal from the control unit, the automatic smearing device for the inspection object having the above-mentioned structure periodically holds a plurality of culture container groups in which a plurality of culture container groups are stacked by the culture container group supply device. Each group is supplied to a predetermined position, and each culture container is drawn out one by one from the culture container group supplied to the predetermined position by the culture container drawing device, and the upper and lower lids of the drawn culture containers are separated by a lid separating device. The test object is applied to the medium in the lower lid separated by the test object applying device at a predetermined test object applying position. Then, the separated upper lid is polymerized with the separated upper lid by the lid polymerizing device, and the culture vessels in which the upper lid and the lower lid are polymerized are sequentially stacked by the culture vessel stacking device, and then the culture vessels are stacked. Every time when the number of the stacked culture containers reaches a predetermined number by the group discharge / storage device, the culture container group is discharged to another position and stored.

Then, the culture container withdrawing device controls the horizontal movement of the container group above the lowermost position of the culture container group carried into the predetermined position so that only the culture container at the lowermost position is moved horizontally. A support mechanism that freely supports and draws out the culture container at the lowest position, and a drawer mechanism that pulls out the culture container at the lowest position. Will come out.

If the drawer mechanism is composed of the drawer claw, the reciprocating mechanism and the swinging mechanism, the drawer claw engages with the rear end of the lower end of the culture container at the lowermost position to perform the culture. The container is pulled out in one direction, and then the withdrawal claw is returned to the withdrawal start position for withdrawing the next culture container, and the withdrawal claw is rocked so as not to interfere with the next culture container.

By the way, in the lid separating device, the upper and lower lids of the culture container drawn out by the culture container drawing device are moved in one direction by the culture container transporting device and vertically separated to be separated. You can also
Further, the lid polymerizing device is configured such that the upper lid separated by the lid separating device and the lower lid after application of the test object are moved in one direction by the culture container transporting device while being vertically approached to perform polymerization. You can also

By the way, the lid separating device and the lid stacking device are a pair of lid separating and
If the polymerization plate is arranged in parallel to the moving direction with an inner width smaller than the lower lid of the culture container and smaller than the upper lid, and the lower lid of the culture container is located between the pair of lid separation / polymerization plates. In a state where the lower end of the upper lid is in contact with the upper ends of the pair of lid separating / polymerizing plates, the upper and lower lids of the culture vessel are moved in one direction by moving the culture vessel in one direction. Can be separated and polymerized.

Further, by providing the transfer device, the lower lid separated by the lid separating device is transferred to the predetermined inspection object coating position and returned to the original position again after the inspection object coating. Then, the inspection target application device grips the application tool to which the inspection target adheres at the inspection target application position and applies the application liquid to the medium in the lower lid. A rotating device for rotating the separated lower lid is provided at the predetermined inspection target application position, and the inspection target application device is moved in the radial direction while gripping the application implement at the predetermined position. By doing so, it is also possible to bring the test object into contact with the medium in the lower lid while moving relative to the lower lid rotated by the rotating device to apply the test object in a spiral shape.

Even if the transfer device is configured to freely swing in a horizontal plane about the fixed support shaft and has the rotating device at the tip end portion thereof on which the lower lid is placed, the same is true. The effect of can be achieved. The test object spraying device applies the test object by contacting the smearing tool with the culture medium only by its own weight so that the spraying tool can be vertically moved freely when the test object is sprayed. Can be splashed.

If the culture container stacking device is provided with a ratchet mechanism that allows upward movement of the culture container in which the upper lid and the lower lid are superposed by the lid superimposing device and restricts the dropping, It can also be pushed up and stacked. In addition, an inspection object holding device that holds a plurality of sampling tubes for storing inspection objects in a substantially vertical direction so that they can be fixed and opened, and a specified sampling tube of the plurality of sampling tubes is placed at the inspection object smearing position. A horizontal plane moving device for moving the inspection object holding device so that the inspection object holding device moves so that the inspection object spraying device moves from the sampling pipe moved to the inspection object spraying position to the inspection object. It is also possible to extract and hold the paint applicator to which is adhered.

In the inspection object holding device, each of the plurality of sampling tubes is inserted into a support member having a plurality of openings and supported substantially vertically, and an opening through which each of the plurality of sampling tubes passes. The movement of the sampling tube pressing plate having an opening capable of abutting each of the plurality of sampling tubes during the movement in the horizontal plane in the horizontal plane is controlled by a switching means, and the opening of the support member and the A fixed state that regulates the vertical movement of each sampling tube by sandwiching each sampling tube with the opening of the sampling tube pressing plate, and an opening that releases the sandwiched state and allows the sampling tube to move in the vertical direction. It is possible to switch between the state and.

Further, if the fixing and releasing device is provided, the inspection object holding device is set above the horizontal plane moving device at a predetermined position so as to be engageable with the horizontal plane moving device in at least one reciprocating direction. Then, by moving the moving device in the horizontal plane from the set position to another predetermined position in the reciprocating direction, a mechanism linked to the movement moves the inspection object holding device onto the moving device in the horizontal plane. While positioning and fixing, the positioning and fixing can be released and returned to the original state by the movement in the direction opposite to the movement.

Further, when two or more paths for moving in the one reciprocating direction are provided side by side, and the inspection object holding device is set at each set position on each path, the horizontal plane moving device is set at each set position. If the inspection object holding devices are disengaged in the mutual directions, the horizontal movement device moves one by one to the adjacent set position each time the inspection object holding device is processed. Then, the next inspection object holding device can be processed.

If the fixed opening device is configured to include the pair of inclined frames and the pair of inclined surfaces, the horizontal movement device can be moved from the set position to a predetermined position. By moving the inspection object holding device downward by sliding the inclined surface along the inclined frame, while engaging the inspection object holding device and the horizontal plane moving device in association with the movement. The inspection object holding device can be positioned and fixed on the horizontal plane moving device, and the positioning and fixing can be released by the movement in the direction opposite to the movement to return to the original state.

Then, a culture container drawing operation by the culture container group drawing device, a lid separating operation by the lid separating device, a lid polymerizing operation by the lid polymerizing device, and a culture container stacking operation by the culture container stacking device. , And at the same time, and the operation of applying the inspection object by the inspection object applying device is performed between the operations, the operation can be performed without waste.

The operation of pulling out the culture vessel by the culture vessel group withdrawing device, the lid separating operation by the lid separating device, and the lid superimposing operation by the lid superimposing device, which are simultaneously performed, are one driving motor that rotates in one direction. And the two cam mechanisms driven by the drive motor and the culture vessels driven by the cam mechanisms and engaged with the respective operating culture vessels to carry out the corresponding operations while transporting the culture vessels in one direction, and then perform predetermined operations respectively. If each is carried out by each of the transport mechanisms that cycle to return to the position, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and perform each of the above operations.

In addition, if the identification mark printing device for printing the identification mark on the culture container in order to associate the inspection target with the culture container is included, the inspection target and the culture container can be completely associated with each other. The identification mark printing device prints on the bottom surface of the lower lid of the culture container in synchronization with the culture container withdrawing operation, the lid separating operation, the lid stacking operation, and the stacking operation of the culture containers. By doing so, each of the above operations can be performed without waste.

By the way, the culture container group supply device, the culture container drawer device, the lid separating device, the lid polymerization device, the culture container transporting device, the culture container stacking device, and the culture container group discharging / storing device. If the identification mark printing device is provided, the identification mark printing device and the identification mark printing device are arranged so as to form a substantially U-shape, and the inspection target application device and other devices are arranged inside the U-shape. If this is done, the device can be installed in a smaller space.

[0040]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the outline of the automatic sample smearing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The automatic sample spraying device according to the present invention is roughly composed of a petri dish group supplying device A, a petri dish withdrawing / conveying device B, a lid separating / polymerizing device C, a petri dish transferring / rotating device D, a sample spraying device E, and an inspection object ( Sampling tube) Holding device F, XY plane (in horizontal plane)
It is composed of a moving device G, a petri dish stacking device H, a petri dish group dispensing device I, and a petri dish group storage device J.
Each of the devices is supported on a common base 1, and a petri dish group feeding device A, a petri dish withdrawing / conveying device B, a lid separating / polymerizing device C, a petri dish stacking device H, a petri dish group withdrawing device I, and The petri dish group storage device J is arranged in a U-shape, and the petri dish transfer / rotation device D, the sample spraying device E, the sampling tube holding device F, and the XY plane moving device are arranged inwardly of the U-shape. G is arranged respectively.

First, the steps of supplying, transporting and transferring a petri dish on which a culture medium has been applied by the automatic sample applying device according to the present invention will be described below. The petri dish group supply device A
However, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 4, it is supported on the upper surface plate 1 a of the base 1 via the support base 105 along one side of the upper end side of the base 1. The petri dish feeding device A is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the petri dish 20 before the sample is smeared on the conveyor belt 101 of the moving device 100 is configured to include a belt-conveying moving device 100 and on which a medium such as agar that has been sufficiently sterilized is applied. Are placed in a line in the direction of movement in a state where a large number of them are stacked. The petri dish group supply device A is controlled based on a signal from the control unit 2 so that the conveyor drive motor 102 is intermittently rotated / stopped, and the petri dish withdrawal / conveyance device B is fed to the petri dish for each petri dish group 20a to 20e. Are to be supplied.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 4, the drive motor 102 mounted on the substrate 104 is rotationally driven in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4B so that the pulley mounted integrally therewith. 106 is rotated, and the pulley 108 and the conveyor drum 109 integrally attached thereto are rotated via the belt 107. As a result, the conveyor belt 101 is rotated, and the petri dish group placed on the upper surface of the conveyor belt 101 is shown in FIG.
In (1), the petri dish group 20a located at the most downstream portion in the petri dish feeding direction is moved to the left (the petri dish feeding direction) to a predetermined position A ₀ on the petri dish withdrawing / conveying device B. In addition, each petri dish 20a _1-2 in the petri dish group 20a
0 to _a20 will be carried by all dish drawer and transfer apparatus B, the driving motor 101 is stopped, the dish group 20b~20e stopped without moving the dish group supply apparatus A.

Subsequently, the petri dish drawer / conveying device B is used to set each petri dish 20a _1-
When all 20 _a20 have been conveyed, the drive motor 101 is rotationally driven again, and each petri dish group 20b to 20e.
Of the petri dish group 20 to the predetermined position A _0.
b is supplied. As described above, when the petri dish disappears at the predetermined position A ₀ , the petri dish is sequentially supplied to the petri dish withdrawing / conveying device B for each petri dish group. As shown in FIG. 4, the petri dish feeding device A has an opening for projecting the conveyor belt 101 by a predetermined amount and covers the periphery of the moving device 100 to ensure worker safety. Although the apron 110 is provided, a pair of guide members may be provided on the upper surface of the apron 110 for contacting both sides of the petri dish group and for regulating the position when the petri dish group moves. Of course. Further, the height of the guide member may be such that it comes into contact with a part of the lower part of the petri dish group, or the height so as to come into contact with all the petri dishes that are extended to the upper part of the petri dish group. Of course it is okay.

The petri dish withdrawing / conveying device B is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the petri dish group feeder A is disposed at the most downstream side and is supported along one side of the base 1 so that the transport direction is substantially orthogonal to the petri dish feed direction of the petri dish group feeder A. It The petri dish withdrawal / conveyance device B is the petri dish 20a at the lowermost position of the petri dish group 20a which is supplied from the petri dish group supply device A and is positionally regulated by the petri dish stopper 200 and placed at a predetermined position A _0.
As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, 1 is moved to the downstream side by pressing the rear portion of the petri dish 20a ₁ with a pull-out claw 201a protruding a predetermined amount above a slit 205 provided in the transport plate 204. The petri dish 20a ₁ is transported to the predetermined position A ₁ while being pulled out and being regulated in position by a pair of transport guides 203 installed on the transport plate 204.
By the way, the pull-out claw 201a will be described in detail with a detailed configuration described later, and based on a signal from the control unit 2, as shown in FIG. There is. And the drawer claw 2
01a is the upper surface of the transport plate 204 so that the rear portion of the petri dish located at the lowest position of the petri dish group located at the predetermined position A ₀ can be pushed and pulled out in the outward path (the operation of transporting the petri dish to the downstream side). While projecting a predetermined amount from the petri dish, in the return path (the operation of pulling out and transporting the petri dish to the downstream side and then returning to the upstream side from the predetermined position A ₀ to pull out and transport the next petri dish), as shown in FIG. Group 2
It swings around the hinge 206 as a central axis so as not to interfere with 0a and passes below it.

The predetermined position A₁Petri dish transported to
20a₁Is continuously moved to the next predetermined position by the transport claw 202a.
A₂At this time, it is conveyed to the conveying claw 202a.
The next petri dish 20 is moved by the moving drawing claw 201a.
a₂Is the predetermined position A₀Is pulled out from the predetermined position A₁Well
Be transported in. Further, the petri dish 20a₁Is the carrying
By the conveying claw 202b formed almost integrally with the feeding claw 202a.
The predetermined position A₃Is transferred to the shear
Re 20a₂Also at the predetermined position A by the conveying claw 202a₂Transport to
To be done. At this time, the next petri dish 20 is also used as described above._a3But
Predetermined position A by the pull-out claw 201a₀Drawn from
The predetermined position A₁Be transported to. In this way
Predetermined position A in the figure₁~ A ₃There is one petri dish in each
Will be arranged. When the transportation is further advanced, the
20a₁Is transported by the transport claw 202c, and will be described later.
Predetermined position A in the stacking device I_FourBe transported to
Become. In addition, the pull-out claw 201a and each of the conveying claws 202a to 202a
02c are arranged at substantially equal intervals and are similar to the pull-out claw 201a.
The detailed configuration will be described later.
Based on the signal, as shown in FIG.
It is supposed to move back. And the outbound path (the petri dish
In the operation of conveying to the downstream side), each of the conveying claws 202a to 202a
c presses the rear part of the petri dish to convey it, while
After transporting one dish to the downstream side, transport the next petri dish.
In order to return to the upstream side in order to
In order not to interfere with the dish on the feeder B,
As shown, swing around hinge 207
It is designed to pass above and return to a predetermined position.
It

By the way, in the present apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, since the sample is applied to the medium in the petri dish by the sample applying apparatus E disposed inward of the U-shape, Place the petri dish from the specified position A ₂ and the sample application position A ₅
Need to be transferred to. Therefore, a petri dish transfer / rotation device D for transferring the petri dish from the predetermined position A ₂ on the petri dish withdrawal / transport device B to the sample application position A ₅ is provided. The petri dish transfer / rotation device D has a rotation center axis O ₁ at the position of the sample application position A ₅ when the sample is applied to the culture medium in addition to the petri dish transfer function of transferring the petri dish. It also has a petri dish rotation function that rotates the dish in the center. Although a detailed configuration of the petri dish transfer / rotation device D shown in FIG. 9 will be described later, the petri dish transfer / rotation device D is electrically driven about the rotation center axis O ₂ based on a signal from the control unit 2. The transfer arm 401 is rotated by the motor 410 to transfer the petri dish located at the predetermined position A ₂ to the sample application position A ₅ . Then, at the sample application position A ₅ , the sample is applied to the medium in the petri dish by the method described later, and then the sample-applied petri dish is transferred to the predetermined position A ₂ again.

Here, the petri dish transfer / rotation device D
The predetermined position A of the petri dish performed by ₂To sample smear position
A_FiveFor transfer to the petri dish
A more detailed description will be given in relation to the lid separating / polymerizing apparatus C.
For simplicity of explanation, the dish 20a₁About
I will explain it for all other petri dishes.
It is like.

As shown in FIG. 7, the petri dish is drawn and transported.
The predetermined position A on the transport plate 204 of the device B₂In the vicinity,
Tip of transfer arm 401 of petri dish transfer / rotation device D
Of the rotation of the petri dish mounting portion 400 attached to the
Axis O₂Notch part that is notched along with the rotation trajectory around the
204A is provided. And transfer and turn the petri dish
The transfer device D uses the petri dish based on the signal from the control unit 2.
When the petri dish is transported by the drawer / transport device B
Is the cutout portion 204A (that is, the predetermined position A ₂)
Is installed on the same plane as the upper surface of the transport plate 204.
The control section 400 is controlled to be positioned.

By the way, in the body smearing device E of the automatic sample smearing device according to the present invention, the sample is brought into contact with the medium in the petri dish 20a ₁ from above and the petri dish 20a _{1 is} smeared. It is necessary to separate the upper lid 20a ₁ ′ and the lower lid 20a ₁ ″ and transfer only the lower lid 20a ₁ ″ containing the medium to the sample smearing device E. Therefore, at the predetermined position A _2, by cooperation with dish conveying operation by dish drawer and transfer apparatus B, "to separate the, yet lower cover 20a _1" lower cover 20a ₁ and the upper lid 20a ₁ 'only the petri dish Lid separation / polymerization device C that can be placed on the petri dish placement unit 400 of the transfer / rotation device D
Is equipped with.

As shown in FIG. 7, the lid separating / polymerizing device C is attached to the side surface of the pair of transport guides 203a and 203b parallel to the transport direction and perpendicular to the top surface of the transport plate 204 on the Petri dish guide side. And a pair of lid separating / overlapping plates 306A and 306B having a substantially trapezoidal cross section. The pair of lid separating / overlapping plates 306A, 306
B utilizes the outer diameter difference between the lower lid 20a ₁ "and the upper lid 20a ₁ of the petri dish 20a ₁ 'to separate respectively. That is, Petri dish 20a ₁ is transported from the predetermined position A ₁ to the predetermined position A ₂ Along with this (the petri dish 20a ₁ is conveyed to the left side in the drawing), the lid separating / overlapping plates 306A, 3 are attached to the hatched portion X in FIG.
Upstream end portions 306a, 306 of the respective 06B in the transport direction
Since the b can be inserted, the lower end edges 20A, 20B of the large-diameter upper lid 20a ₁ ′ at the position orthogonal to the transport direction.
Can be pushed up by the tip portions 306a and 306b as the petri dish is conveyed. That is, since the lid separating / overlapping plates 306A, 306B have a substantially trapezoidal cross section, the upper lid 20a ₁ ′ and the lower lid 20a ₁ ″ are gradually separated by the progress of the petri dish, and the top surfaces 306c, 30 are formed.
The maximum distance is 6d, and the upper lid 20a ₁ ′ and the lower lid 20a ₁ ″ have no overlapping portion in the plane of FIG. 7B.

Therefore, this corresponds to the maximum distance section.
Predetermined position A₂In, the lower lid 20a₁"Only the above
On the Petri dish mounting section 200 of the Petri dish transfer / rotation device D
Can be placed, and lower lid 20a₁"Only Figure 7
(B) It is possible to transfer in a direction perpendicular to the plane.
Wear. In other words, the sample smearing position A_FiveLower lid 20
a₁“Only the sample can be transferred.
Splash position A_FiveThe lower lid 20a on which the sample has been smeared₁"Is
Again the predetermined position A₂Returned to. After that, the lid
20a₁’And lower lid 20a₁Means that the transfer claw 202b
Therefore, the predetermined position A ₃The upper lid 20 is transported to the
a₁′ Is similar to the shape of the lid separating / overlapping plates 306A and 306B.
As it goes toward the downstream tip 306a ', 306b'
Lower lid 20a₁It is approaching to ""₃Near
By the side, both will polymerize again. By the way,
The transfer claw 202b is formed on the upper lid 20a at the time of stacking.₁'And the above
Lower lid 20a₁The upper lid 20a so that₁’
The upper lid 20a so that the other side is conveyed by a predetermined amount.₁’Press
Set the pressure position to the lower lid 20a.₁”Projected downstream from the pressed position
Of course, it may be formed by forming. In addition,
Petri dish 20a in which the sample was smeared and polymerized again₁Is that
After that, as described above, carry the petri dish drawer / transport device B
By the feed claw 202c, a predetermined position A further downstream_FourCarry to
Will be sent.

The process of supplying, transporting and transferring the petri dish of the automatic spraying apparatus according to the present invention has been described above. Next, the petri dish with the sample applied is stored in the petri dish group storage device J from the predetermined position A _4. The steps up to are described. The sample-coated petri dish is a petri dish storage device that is disposed further downstream through a petri dish stacking device H and a petri dish group dispensing device I that are arranged in a corner (predetermined position A ₄ ) of the base 1. Stored in J. The petri dish group storage device J, as shown in FIG. 1, is arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to the petri dish feeding direction of the petri dish drawer / conveying device B and at a position facing the petri dish group feeding device A.
It is supported by the base 1.

The petri dish stacking device H will be described. As shown in FIG. 7A, at a predetermined position A ₄ of the transport plate 204, an opening portion 204B smaller than the lower lid 20a ″ of the petri dish and having a size that allows passage of a petri dish push-up member 800, which will be described later, is provided. and are. Then, as shown in FIG. 15, can be placed dish lifting member 800 a petri dish which is conveyed to a predetermined position a ₄ is the upper end portion 801a of the push-up shaft 801, the axis perpendicular to the predetermined position a ₄ A petri dish dispensing arm 900, which will be described later, is arranged on O ₃ so as to pass thereabove.
The lower end portion 801b of 01 is attached to the slide support member 802 substantially integrally. The slide support member 802
Are a pair of push-up guide shafts 803a which are provided on both sides of the push-up shaft 801 and whose upper ends are fixed to the upper surface plate 1a of the base 1 and whose lower ends are fixed to each other by the connecting and fixing members 804. , 803b. Then, the slide support member 802
Is a connecting member 80 having ball joints at both ends.
5, it is connected to the rotating shaft of the drive motor 807 via the crank 806.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a support member 807 extending upward from the upper surface plate 1a of the base 1 is attached, and the support member 807 is provided only in the petri dish pushing direction. One-way support means 808 that allows the petri dish to pass is provided at a predetermined position A ₆ in the figure.
The one-way supporting means 808 includes a petri dish support plate 808a,
808b and hinge plates 808c and 808d fixed to the support plate 809 by inserting semicircular portions 808c 'and 808d' into the openings 808a 'and 808b'.

Petri dish stacking device H having such a configuration
The stacking process of will be described. The drive motor 807
Is driven and controlled based on a signal from the control unit 2 to rotate the crank 806, and pushes up the push-up shaft 801 and the petri dish push-up member 800 which interlock with the crank 806 to a predetermined position A ₆ ′ above. At this time, the pair of petri dish support plates 805a, 805b of the one-way support means 805.
The openings 805a ', 805b' and the semi-circular portions 805c ', 805d' of the hinge are linked to each other, so that they rotate along the semi-circular portions 805c ', 805d' to allow passage of the petri dish. . However, the one-way support means 8
The pair of petri dish support plates 805a and 805b of No. 05 are installed so as to be slanted so that they can be swung downward again by their own weight even when they are maximally rotated upward as shown in FIG. Immediately after passing, it returns to the horizontal position. By the way, the petri dish support plate 805
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the a and 805b are restricted from rotating downward from the predetermined position A ₆ by the support plate 809, so that once the petri dish is passed above the predetermined position A _6. Does not pass through the petri dish below the predetermined position A ₆ . The petri dish support plate 805
The a and 805b are installed so as to face each other so as to have a gap in a horizontal position where the lower lid of the petri dish can be sufficiently supported and a gap in a horizontal position that does not interfere with the petri dish lifting member 800. Therefore, even when the drive motor 803 is further driven after the petri dish has passed and the push-up shaft 801 and the petri dish push-up member 800 are lowered by the action of the crank 802, the push-up is performed while supporting only the petri dish at the predetermined position A _6. The shaft 801 and the petri dish push-up member 800 can be lowered to the predetermined position A ₄ . In this way, the Petri dish stacking section H
Is controlled based on a signal from the control unit 2, and the petri dishes sequentially conveyed from the petri dish withdrawing / conveying device B are sequentially pushed up to stack a predetermined number of petri dishes.

Next, the stacked sheets are piled up to a predetermined number.
Store petri dishes that have been overlaid with samples
Petri dish group dispensing device I to be dispensed to device J, and shear
The recording medium storage device J will be described. Petri dish payout equipment
The position I is based on a signal from the control unit 2 and the drive motor 90
By rotating 1 the convex portion 20 shown in FIG.
Of the L-shape protruding from the opening 204B having 4C
As shown in FIG. 16, the dispensing arm 900 is attached to both ends.
Connecting means 902 having a ball joint, crank 9
Rotation center axis O via 03_FourCentered around
Swing towards device J. As a result, the predetermined position A₆
A predetermined number of stacked petri dishes were dispensed at
The predetermined position A₆Petri dish holder located at approximately the same height as
Tube plate 1001 (in FIG. 16, the same support plate 809 as described above)
However, of course it may be a separate body)
Predetermined position A in the petri dish storage device J₇Up to the
Push the group. The petri dish group consists of a pair of guides
With the members 1002a and 1002b, the petri dish storage plate 1001 surface
Allows for free movement in the horizontal direction, which is orthogonal to the direction in which the petri dish advances.
It is supposed to be prevented. Then, the stacking device
By I, the next petri dish group is piled up to a predetermined number
And the dispensing device J operates in the same manner as described above, and the next shear
Set the lens group at the predetermined position A ₇Proceed to. Therefore,
Since the group of petri dishes is sequentially sent to the petri dish group storage device J,
The position is regulated by the pair of guide members 1002a and 1002b.
However, a large number of petri dishes are lined up in a row and kept downstream.
Will be piped.

The stacking, dispensing and storage steps of the petri dish have been described above. Next, the smearing step of applying the sample to the medium in the petri dish will be described. As shown in FIG. 11 (B), the collection tube 50 storing the sample is composed of an applicator (spoon shape, spoon shape, etc.) 50b integrally attached to the cap 50a, and a container 50c, The container 50c is filled with a predetermined amount of preservative liquid or the like. In addition,
The sample is attached and held on the smearing tool 50b. The sampling tube 50 is held by a sampling tube holding device F capable of holding a plurality of sampling tubes. Such collecting tube holding device F
Is placed and supported at a predetermined position on the XY plane moving device G arranged in the recess 10 of the base 1.

As shown in FIG. 13, the sampling tube holding device F includes an upper support plate 601 having a predetermined number of openings 601a larger than the outer diameter of the container 50c of the sampling tube 50 by a predetermined amount.
And a lower support plate 602 having the same number of openings 602a as the openings 601a. The upper support plate 601 and the lower support plate 602 are vertically and parallel to each other with a predetermined distance therebetween. In addition, each opening 601a
And the openings 602a are arranged so as to be coaxial with each other. In addition, the opening 601a and the opening 6
02a are regularly arranged in a grid pattern as shown in FIG.

The sampling tube 50 has such an opening 601a.
The cap 50a is held substantially vertically in a state where the cap 50a is protruded upward by a predetermined amount by fitting the cap 50a into the bottom plate 604 by inserting the cap 50a and the opening 602a. By the way, the sampling tube holding device F is further provided with an opening 6 similar to the openings 601a and 602a.
A sampling tube pressing plate 603 having 03a is disposed movably independently and in parallel with the upper support plate 601 and the lower support plate 602, and the opening 601a and the opening 60 are provided.
2a and the sampling tube 50 supported by the spring 6
It is configured so that it can be pressed and fixed in the horizontal direction by the urging force of 04 and that the urging force can be released when the sampling tube 50 is taken in and out. That is, as shown in FIG. 13C, one end 604A of the spring 604 is supported by the sampling tube pressing plate 603, and the other end 604B is side plate 605.
It is slidably supported by an L-shaped opening 605a provided in the. The other end 604B is connected to the L-shaped opening 6
When it is arranged at the position of 605B of 05a, the spring 604 does not generate an urging force, so that the sampling tube 50 can be taken in and out. On the other hand, when the other end 604B is moved to the position of 605A of the L-shaped opening 605a, a biasing force is generated in the spring 604.
The sampling tube 50 is designed to be fixed.

The end portion 604 of the spring 604 is
The method of moving and fixing B to generate the biasing force in the spring 604 may be the following method other than the method of using the L-shaped opening 605a. That is, as shown in FIG. 13D, the hook 610 is attached by changing the shape of the end 604B of the spring 604, and the clamp 611 is engaged / disengaged with the hook 610 to move / fix the end 604B. You may allow it. The clamp 611 has a clamp base 611a fixedly supported by a side plate 605, and a clamp base 611a and a lever 611b are rotatably attached via a rotation fulcrum 611c. And the lever 6
A ring-shaped engaging member 611e that directly engages with the hook 610 is attached to 11b via a rotation fulcrum 611d. FIG. 13D shows a state in which the hook 610 and the ring-shaped engagement member 611e are engaged (a state in which the spring 604 generates a biasing force and the sampling tube 50 is fixed). However, if the lever 611b is rotated counterclockwise about the rotation fulcrum 611c from this state, the ring-shaped engagement member 611 is formed.
e moves upward in the figure, and accordingly, the hook 610 and the end portion 604B also move upward in the figure, whereby the biasing force of the spring 604 can be released, and the sampling tube 50 can be fixed. It will be canceled.
To fix the sampling tube 50, the reverse operation may be performed.

In the engagement state shown in FIG. 13D, the rotation fulcrum 611d is located on a line parallel to the side plate 605 or on the side plate 605 side passing through the rotation center of the rotation fulcrum 611c. Is configured to. Therefore, a tensile force acts on the ring-shaped engagement member 611e that receives the biasing force of the spring 604 in a direction (clockwise direction) that always biases the lever 611b toward the side plate 605, and thus the lever 611b naturally
Alternatively, since it does not rotate counterclockwise due to vibration or the like, such an engaged state is reliably maintained until an operator or the like rotates the lever 611b counterclockwise. By the way, if such a clamp system is used, that is, without the spring 604, that is, the sampling tube pressing plate 6 is used.
03 is provided with a bracket or the like, and the hook 61
It is also possible to configure by attaching 0. Further, in such a case, it is needless to say that the pivot fulcrum 611d may be attached to the lever 611b via a spring.

In this way, the sampling tube 50 is connected to the opening 60.
1a, the opening 602a, and the opening 603a are sandwiched and fixed by a predetermined pressing force, the cap 50a is grasped and pulled upward, so that the cap 50a and the container 50c are separated from each other. Only can be pulled upwards. Here, the upper support plate 601 and the lower support plate 602 constitute a support member having a plurality of openings for inserting a plurality of sampling tubes and supporting them substantially vertically. The L-shaped opening 605a or the clamp 611 corresponds to a switching means.

The sampling tube holding device F having such a structure is
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 14, the inclination provided on the side plate 605 of the collection tube holding device F shown in FIG. 13 on the inclined frame 3 on which the collection tube holding device F fixed to the base 1 is mounted. Through the plate 607, the guide plate 503 provided on the XY plane moving device G located at the origin position is allowed to move in the left-right direction in FIG.
It is placed substantially vertically above 01.

In this state, when the XY plane moving device G moves in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 14A, it is pressed by the guide member 503 and the sampling tube holding device F moves,
13B, the positioning pins 502 provided on the XY plane moving device G and the support member 608 of the sampling tube holding device F were provided gradually. Since the positioning hole 606 is engaged,
Positioning in the horizontal plane is automatically performed between the sampling tube holding device F and the XY plane moving device G.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14B, X-
When the Y-plane moving device G advances in the direction of the arrow, the end of the side frame 4 which is fixed to the base 1 and supported horizontally is formed so as to spread outward, so that it is in contact with the side frame 4. The pair of moving members 504 provided in the XY plane moving device G moves in the direction of the arrow in the figure following the shape of the side frame 4. That is, when the moving member 504 does not come into contact with the side frame 4,
A rotating member 5 rotatably supported by a fixed fulcrum 505.
06 by the urging force of the spring 507, as shown in FIG.
Since it is rotated clockwise in the plane, the rotating member 506 is rotated.
14A and 14B, a pair of moving members 504, which are connected to each other via rotation fulcrums 506a provided at both ends of the movable member, are linked to each other.
(B) It comes to move outward in the plane.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 14C, a notch portion 508a formed in the vertical position regulating member 508 integrally attached to the pair of moving members 504.
And a support member 60 provided below the sampling tube holding device F
8 and so that the sampling tube holding devices F and X-
Vertical positioning with the Y-plane moving device G is also automatically performed.

Therefore, the operator only needs to set the sampling tube holding device F on the inclined frame 3 and the sampling tube holding device F is automatically positioned while being positioned X-Y.
It is placed on the plane moving device G. Further, after the sample application process is completed for all the collection tubes held by the collection tube holding device F by the method described later, the above operation is performed in reverse, so that the already-collected collection tube holding device F is automatically operated. It can be placed on the tilt frame 3.

Further, the sampling tube holding device F shown in FIG.
A similar collection tube holding device F is set on the right next to, and after completion of the sample application process of one collection tube holding device F, the XY plane moving device G is placed at the position of the other collection tube holding device F. Is moved, the sample smearing process can be continuously performed on the two sampling tube holding devices F. In addition,
Since the pair of moving members 504 are formed to move in association with each other, one of the moving members 504 is moved.
Since the other moving member 504 is also automatically moved when is moved, it is not necessary to dispose the side frame 4 at the position of the inclined frame 3 at the center. The moving device G can freely pass below the central tilt frame 3 and can freely move between the two sampling tube holding devices F.

In this way, once the operator sets the sampling tube holding device F on this device, he or she can perform other work for a long time until all the processing is completed. become. Here, the tilt frame 3,
The side frame 4, the XY plane moving device G, the positioning pin 502, the positioning hole 606, the support member 608, and the vertical position restricting member 508 form a fixed opening device.

By the way, the movement itself of the XY plane moving device G is the same as that of the XY plane moving device which is usually used, and when the movement is taught by the control unit 2, the XY plane moving device G is arranged in the lattice shape. Of the collected sampling tubes, a specific sampling tube is moved to the sample application position A ₅ . That is, all the sampling tubes held by the sampling tube holding device F are specified in advance by the XY coordinates, the row / column number, and the like, and based on this, a signal is issued from the control unit 2 and the specific sampling is performed. The tube is moved to the sample smearing position A _{5 in} sequence. Then, the sample smearing position A specified by the control unit 2
_The sampling tube 50a moved to ₅ is moved to the cap 5 by the applicator gripping device 700A provided in the sample applying device E.
0a is gripped and pulled out upward. As a result, the cap 50a and the container 50c are separated, and the applicator 50b to which the sample adheres can be taken out.

The sample smearing device E will be briefly described. The sample smearing device E includes the smearing device gripping device 700A for gripping the sampling tube and the smearing device gripping device 7 as described above.
Lifting device 720A for lifting and lowering 00A and horizontal direction moving device 7 for horizontally moving applicator gripping device 700A
40A and 40A. The sample smearing device E is
It is vertically supported via an elevating device 720A attached to a support frame 20 arranged above the base 1. The detailed configuration of each device will be described later.

The sample smearing process performed by each device based on the signal from the control unit 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In step 1, an operator sets the sampling tube holding device F holding the sampling tube 50 on the inclined frame 3. At this time, as described above, a similar sampling tube holding device F may be set on the right side of the sampling tube holding device F shown in FIG. 2, and a total of two sampling tube holding devices F may be set.

In step 2, the sampling tube holding device F is mounted and fixed while the XY plane moving device G is moved based on the signal from the control section 2, and is held by the sampling tube holding device F. Connect the specified sampling tube to the sample application position A ₅
Move to. In step 3, the sample application position A is set in advance.
_The applicator gripping device 700A, which is disposed above the central axis O ₁ perpendicular to ₅ , is lowered by the elevating device 720A.

In step 4, the applicator gripping device 70
The cap 50a is held by 0A. In step 5, the elevating device 720A causes the spreader gripping device 7 to move.
00A is raised to a predetermined position and the smearing tool 50b is taken out. In step 6, the petri dish transfer / rotation device D waits for the bottom lid 20a ₁ ′ of the petri dish to be transported to the sample application position A ₆ .

In step 7, the elevating device 701A lowers the applicator gripping device 700A, and the tip of the applicator 50c is pierced by a predetermined amount into the medium in the lower lid 20a ₁ ′ of the petri dish that has been transferred. . As a result, the sample adhered in a predetermined amount or more is removed from the tip of the spreader 50b. The bottom lid 20a ₁ 'of the dish
Is rotated about the central axis O ₁ by the petri dish moving / rotating device B.

In step 8, the elevating device 720A raises the applicator gripping device 700A by a predetermined amount to extract the tip of the applicator 50c from the medium. In step 9, while the horizontal movement device 740A prevents the applicator gripping device 700A from contacting the culture medium,
A predetermined amount is moved horizontally toward the outer circumference of the dish. That is, it is moved to the application start position.

In step 10, the applicator gripping device 7
The gripping force of 00A on the outer peripheral portion of the cap 50a is released, and the cap 50a is gripped by the jaw 707a so as to be freely rotatable and vertically movable, as described later. In step 11, the elevating device 720A lowers the applicator gripping device 700A by a predetermined amount to bring the tip of the applicator 50b into contact with the medium.

In step 10, the gripping force on the outer peripheral portion of the cap 50a of the applicator gripping device 700A is released and the cap 50a is gripped rotatably and vertically movably. Since the tool 50b is in contact with the culture medium only by its own weight, excessive pressing force does not occur and the culture medium is not damaged. Further, even if the shape of the smearing tool 50b is other than a rod shape, for example, a spoon shape, since the smearing tool 50b is freely rotatable, the smearing tool 50b can naturally rotate and move to a position where sliding resistance with the medium is small. As a result, the medium is not damaged. That is, the spoon does not stick into the medium due to the wedge action.

In step 12, the horizontal movement device 740A is used to apply the applicator gripping device 700A (applicator 5).
0b) is moved toward the outer circumference of the petri dish to smear the sample on the medium. The desired coating thickness can be obtained by controlling the rotation speed of the petri dish. Further, it is a matter of course that an arbitrary spray pattern can be obtained by relatively changing the rotation direction of the petri dish and the movement of the spray tool 50b.

In step 13, the lifting device 720A is
While raising the applicator gripping device 700A by a predetermined amount, the horizontal movement device 740A horizontally moves the applicator gripping device 700A to move the sample applicator start axis O ₁ axis upward to the applicator 50b. To move. Step 14
Then, again, the cap 50a is held by the applicator holding device 700A.

In step 15, the lower lid 2 of the petri dish on which the application of the sample by the petri dish transfer / rotation device D is completed.
0a ₁ 'from the sample application position A ₅ to the predetermined position A ₂
Wait for it to be transferred to. In step 16, the elevating device 720A lowers the applicator gripping device 700A, inserts the smeared applicator 50b into the container 50c held by the applicator gripping device 700A, and caps. Cover with 50a.

In step 17, the smearing tool gripping device 7 is used.
The grip of the cap 50a by 00A is released. In step 18, the elevating device 720A again raises the applicator gripping device 700A. In step 19, it is determined whether or not the smearing process has been completed for all the samples held in the sampling tube holding device F. Yes
If so, the flow is terminated, and if NO, the process returns to step 2, and if there is another sampling tube holding device F to be subjected to the sample smearing process, the same processing is performed for the sampling tube holding device F. The above steps are repeated until the sample smearing process is completed for all the collection tubes.

The sample-coated petri dish returned to the predetermined position A _{2 in} step 17 is again withdrawn from the petri dish.
Transported by the transport device B to the petri dish stacking device H,
It is sequentially stored in the petri dish storage device J via the petri dish group dispensing device I. The process of supplying, transporting, transferring, stacking, dispensing, and storing the petri dish and the sample smearing process have been described above.

Next, the configuration of the device not mentioned will be described in detail. First, the configuration of the petri dish withdrawal / transport apparatus B will be described. As described above, the petri dish withdrawing / conveying device B includes the withdrawing claws 201a,
Since the transport claws 202a and 202b reciprocate, the transport claw has a transport function of pulling out and transporting the petri dish on the outward path and a claw swinging function of preventing the claws from interfering with the petri dish on the return path. It is a thing.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the petri dish withdrawing / transporting device B includes a substrate 210 which is vertically supported by the base 1, and a transport plate 204 which is orthogonal to the substrate 210 and serves as a transporting surface of the petri dish. A petri dish stopper 200 is provided to regulate the petri dish group at a predetermined position A ₀ . The petri dish stopper 200 is formed of a semi-circular plate having an outer diameter that is substantially the same as that of the petri dish, and a lower portion thereof is cut out by one minute so as not to interfere with the pull-out claw 201a.

Then, a petri dish transport drive motor 220 is attached to the substrate 210. The cam plates 221 and 22 are attached to the rotation shaft of the drive motor 220.
2 is attached almost integrally. The substrate 21
0 is supported horizontally on the base 1. As described below, the cam plate 221 is a cam plate for reciprocating in the petri dish transport direction in synchronization with the pull-out pawl 201a and the transport pawls 202a to 202c. Then, the cam plate 222 swings the drawer claw 201a and the transport claws 202a to 202c in a position that presses the petri dish on the outward path and a position that does not interfere with the petri dish on the return path in a direction substantially orthogonal to the petri dish transport direction. It is a cam plate for. The rotation direction of each cam plate is the direction (counterclockwise) shown by the arrow in FIG. 5, and the cam crest shape of the cam plate 221 is such that each pawl makes one reciprocation in one rotation, and the cam plate 22
The cam lobe shape of No. 2 is formed so as to be synchronized with this, at a position where each claw presses the petri dish on the outward path, and a position for avoiding the petri dish on the outward path.

First, the structure of the cam mechanism relating to the reciprocating motion of the pull-out pawl 201a and the transfer pawls 202a to 202c in the petri dish transfer direction due to the rotation of the cam plate 221 will be described. The swing center axis O ₂₀₀ below the base plate 210 is swingably supported via a bearing or the like, and the cam follower 224 is pressed as the cam plate 221 rotates about the swing center axis O ₂₀₀ as a fulcrum. A swinging member 223 that swings is provided. The cam follower 22
4 and the cam plate 221 are always in contact with each other,
One end of the spring 223A is attached to the swing member 223 and the other end is attached to the substrate 210.

The swinging member 223 is the swinging member 223.
The second swing member 2 which swings around the upper swing center axis O ₂₀₁
27 is pivotally supported by the swing center axis O ₂₀₁ . Note that the rocking member 223, the stopper 223a of the second swing member 227 to restrict the swings in the counterclockwise direction around the swing center axis O ₂₀₁ is provided, the second swing Member 227
Is provided with a stopper 227a that comes into contact with the stopper 223a, and the swinging member 223 and the second swinging member 227 normally come into contact with each other at the stopper portion by the biasing force of the spring 228.

The upper end of the second swinging member 227 is connected to the bracket 201A of the pullout member 201 having the pullout claw 201a via the pullout claw coupling member 240 having ball joints 240a at both ends. Further, it is connected to the bracket 202A of the conveying member 202 having the conveying claws 202a to 202c via the conveying claw connecting member 241 having the ball joint 241a at both ends.

Next, a description will be given of the structure of a cam mechanism that swings to prevent the pull-out claw 201a and the transport claws 202a to 202c from interfering with the petri dish in the return path accompanying the rotation of the cam plate 222. A swing center axis O ₂₀₂ positioned on the right side of the substrate 210 in FIG. 5 is swingably supported via a bearing or the like, and as the cam plate 222 rotates about the swing center axis O ₂₀₂ as a fulcrum, A swing member 250 that swings by pressing the cam follower 251 is provided. One end of the spring 252 is attached to the swing member 250 and the other end is attached to the substrate 210 so that the cam follower 251 and the cam plate 222 are always in contact with each other.

The swing member 250 is the swing member 250.
The second swing member 2 swinging about the upper swing center axis O ₂₀₃
53 is pivotally supported by the swing center axis O ₂₀₃ . Note that the rocking member 250, the stopper 250a of the second swing member 253 to restrict the swings in the counterclockwise direction around the swing center axis O ₂₀₃ is provided, the second swing Member 253
Is provided with a stopper 253a that comes into contact with the stopper 250a, and the swinging member 250 and the second swinging member 253 normally come into contact with each other at the stopper portion by the biasing force of the spring 254.

The upstream side of the swing center axis O _{202 in} the petri dish conveying direction (in FIG. 5, the swing center axis O ₂₀₂ is shown).
(Right side of the drawing), the swing member 250 and the pull-out pawl 2
Bracket 201B of drawer member 201 having 01a
Are connected via the pull-out pawl swing connecting member 260 having ball joints 260a at both ends. On the other hand, in a petri dish downstream side of the swing center axis O ₂₀₂ (left side of the swing center axis O ₂₀₂ in FIG. 5), and the swing member 250, the conveying member 202 having a conveying claw 202a~202c The bracket 202B and the transport pawl swing coupling member 2 having ball joints 261a at both ends thereof
It is connected via 61.

As shown in FIG. 6, the pull-out member 201 projects from the slit 205 provided in the transport plate 204 by a predetermined amount and is bent at a substantially right angle in order to press the rear portion of the petri dish, as shown in FIG. And the slide plate 2 of the sliding rail 230 arranged in the direction orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 6 so as to be slidable in the petri dish transport direction.
It is attached substantially horizontally to the upper surface of 30a. In addition, one piece 206a of the hinge 206 is provided on the lower surface of the slide plate 230b.
Since the other piece 206b is attached to the substrate 210, the drawer member 201 and the sliding rail 230 can freely swing with respect to the substrate 210 with the hinge 206 as an axis center. By the way, the bracket 201B of the drawer member 201 is attached to one piece 206a of the hinge 206.

In the sliding rail 230, the two slide plates 230a and 230b are perpendicular to the plane of the drawing because the two slide plates 230a and 230b are not separated from each other in the vertical direction in FIG. The two slide plates 230a, 2a only in the direction (the petri dish transport direction)
30b slides freely. On the other hand, the transport member 202 has transport claws 202a to 202c that are bent at a substantially right angle to press the rear part of the petri dish, and is a direction orthogonal to the plane of the drawing so that it can slide freely in the petri dish transport direction. Is attached to the upper surface of the slide plate 231a of the sliding rail 231 arranged substantially horizontally. In addition, one piece 207 of the hinge 207 is provided on the lower surface of the slide plate 231b.
Since a is attached and the other piece 207b is attached to the substrate 210, the conveying member 202 and the sliding rail 231 can freely swing with respect to the substrate 210 about the hinge 207 as an axis center. By the way, the bracket 202B of the carrying member 202 is attached to the piece 207a of the hinge 207. The sliding rail 231 is also the above-mentioned sliding rail 23.
It has the same configuration as 0.

With such a structure, the carrying action (outward path) is performed as follows. The drive motor 220 is rotated based on the signal from the control unit 2, and the cam plate 221 is rotated accordingly. And the cam plate 2
The cam follower 224, which is in contact with the cam mountain shape of No. 21, is pressed, and the rocking member 223 and the second
The rocking member 227 and the rocking member 227 rotate counterclockwise about the rocking center axis O ₂₀₀ (FIG. 5 shows the petri dish transport start position).

Therefore, the pull-out member 2 is connected via the pull-out pawl connecting member 240 connected to the second swinging member 227.
01, and the transport member 202 via the transport claw connecting member 241 slides the sliding plates 230a and 231a, respectively, and moves to the left in FIG. The second swinging member 227 and the pull-out pawl connecting member 240 or the transport pawl connecting member 241 are connected to each other via a ball joint 240a or 241a which is free to swing, so that the second swinging member is connected. Even if the connecting portion 227A moves vertically due to the swing of the member 227, the vertical movement can be absorbed, so that the force only in the petri dish transport direction is transmitted to the drawer member 201 and the transport member 202. It has become so.

As described above, when the pull-out member 201 and the transport member 202 move to the left in FIG. 5, the cam plate 221 is provided with the cam follower 251 and the drive motor 2.
Since it is formed such that the distance from the rotation center axis of 20 is the greatest, the vertical swing member 25 is thereby formed.
The zero cam follower 251 will be maintained at the uppermost position. That is, since the vertical swing member 250 is maximally displaced counterclockwise about the swing center axis O ₂₀₂ as a fulcrum, the pull-out pawl swing connecting member 2 is moved.
60 is at the lowermost position, and the transfer claw swing connecting member 26 is provided.
1 is the highest position.

Therefore, since the bracket 201B of the pull-out member 201 is urged downward, the hinge 2
Since the pull-out claw 201a attached via 06 is urged upward, it can project from the transport plate 204 by a predetermined amount and press the rear part of the petri dish,
The petri dish can be pulled out and transported. on the other hand,
Since the bracket 202B of the transport member 202 is biased upward, the transport claws 202a to 202c attached via the hinges 207 are biased downward, and the petri dish from above the transport plate 204 is biased. Since the rear part of the petri dish can be pressed, the petri dish can be transported to a predetermined position.

When the drive motor 220 further rotates to rotate the cam plates 221 and 222, the cam plate 221 completes the petri dish transport section and moves to the upstream side in preparation for transporting the next petri dish. Drawer claw 20
Move 1a etc. (move to the right in FIG. 5)
Although the operation is performed as described above (return path section), such an operation is the reverse of the above-described petri dish transport section (outward path section), and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0100] When the cam plate 222 to swing the drawer claw 201a and the like from entering the return path section, wherein the vertical direction swing member 250, around the swing center axis O ₂₀₂ as opposed to the forward section in the counterclockwise direction Rotate. As a result, contrary to the above, the drawer claw swing connecting member 260 swings to the uppermost position and the transport claw swing connecting member 261 swings to the lowermost position.

Therefore, since the bracket 201B of the pull-out member 201 is biased upward, the hinge 2
The pull-out claw 201a attached via 06 is biased downward and does not project from the transport plate 204. Accordingly, the pull-out claw 201a can move to the upstream side of the next petri dish without interfering with the petri dish to be transported next.

On the other hand, the bracket 202 of the carrying member 202
Since B is urged downward, the transfer claws 202a to 202c attached via the hinge 207 move upward. As a result, the transport claw 202a
Up to 202c can move to the upstream side of the next petri dish without interfering with the petri dish to be transported next.
The cam plate 222 is formed so that this state is maintained until there is no interference with the petri dish.

As described above, the predetermined positions A ₀ to
To A _4, it is adapted to accurately convey the dish. The cam plate 221 includes the pull-out claw 201a,
In addition, when the transport claws 202a to 202c are swung, it is desirable that they are formed with a phase difference from the cam plate 222 in order to prevent the transport claws 202a to 202c from swinging while coming into contact with the petri dish. That is, at the start of transporting the petri dish, it is preferable to swing the drawer claw 201a and the transport claws 202a to 202c to a predetermined position on the upstream side of the position where they come into contact with the rear part of the petri dish. Therefore, the cam plate 221
Also, it is preferable to set the forward path section from the upstream side of the position where it contacts the rear part of the petri dish. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed after the cam plate 221 entered the return path section after the conveyance, the cam plate 222 enters the return path section so that the pull-out pawl 201a and the transfer pawl 202 are provided.
It is preferable to prevent the a to 202c from swinging while coming into contact with the rear part of the petri dish which they have respectively conveyed. By doing so, it is possible to reliably prevent the petri dish from moving due to the swinging of the pull-out claw 201a and the transport claws 202a to 202c.

Since the lid separating / polymerizing apparatus C has already been described, the petri dish transferring / rotating apparatus D will be described next. As shown in FIG. 9, the petri dish transfer / rotation device D includes a petri dish placement section 400 having a recess on the upper surface thereof having an inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the lower lid of the petri dish for placing the petri dish by a predetermined amount. Plate-shaped petri dish transfer arm 4
No. 01 is attached to a pulley 402 rotatably and rotatably supported by a front end portion 401A of No. 01 through a bearing or the like. Then, the other end 401 of the petri dish transfer arm 401
B is attached to a rotary shaft 410A of a transfer / rotation motor 410 fixed to the upper surface plate 1a of the base 1 via an electromagnetic clutch 404. Further, the rotary shaft 410A has
The pulley 405 is attached substantially integrally. A belt 406 is wound around the pulley 405 and the pulley 402. The rotation shaft 410A is coaxial with the rotation center axis O ₂ in FIG. Then, in FIG. 9, the petri dish mounting portion 400 is assumed to be initially at the predetermined position A ₂ in FIG.

The petri dish transfer / rotation device D having such a configuration operates as follows. When the lower lid of the petri dish is fed to the petri dish placing member 400 located at the predetermined position A ₂ by the petri dish withdrawing / transporting apparatus B and the lid separating / overlapping apparatus C, based on a signal from the control unit 2. And a rotation shaft 410A of the transfer / rotation motor 410
Is rotated counterclockwise about the rotation center axis O ₂ in FIG. 9 (A), and at the same time, the rotation axis 410 is rotated.
An electromagnetic clutch 404 mounted between A and the other end 401B of the petri dish transfer arm 401 is controlled to connect the rotary shaft 410A and the petri dish transfer arm 401. As a result, since the rotary shaft 410A and the petri dish transfer arm 401 are substantially integrated, the petri dish transfer arm 401 is connected to the rotary shaft 410.
Since it rotates together with A, the petri dish mounting member 400 pivots counterclockwise about the central axis of rotation O ₂ , and the petri dish mounting member 400 and the lower lid of the petri dish mounted on the petri dish mounting member 400 are rotated. The sample is transferred to the coating position A ₅ .

Then, based on the signal from the control unit 2,
The electromagnetic clutch 404 is controlled to disconnect the rotary shaft 410A and the petri dish transfer arm 401. As a result, the petri dish transfer arm 401 becomes independent of the rotary shaft 410A, and the petri dish transfer arm 401 is prevented from being rotated from the sample application position A ₅ . On the other hand, since the pulley 405 is attached integrally with the rotary shaft 410A, it rotates together with the rotary shaft 410A. The rotational force is transmitted to the pulley 402 via the belt 406, and the petri dish mounting member 400 integrally attached thereto rotates about the rotation center axis O ₃ shown in FIG. 9. It should be noted that this rotation speed can be set to an arbitrary speed suitable for application of the sample based on the signal from the control unit 2.

In the above state, the sample is applied by the sample applying device E. After the application of the sample, the rotary shaft 410A of the transfer / rotation motor 410 is rotated based on the signal from the control unit 2. , The central axis of rotation O ₂ in FIG.
Can be rotated clockwise around. At the same time, the rotary shaft 410A and the petri dish transfer arm 4 are
An electromagnetic clutch 404 mounted between the other end portion 401B of the control unit 01 is controlled so as to connect the rotary shaft 410A and the petri dish transfer arm 401. Therefore, the rotary shaft 410A and the petri dish transfer arm 40
1 is substantially integrated with the petri dish transfer arm 4
01 rotates together with the rotary shaft 410A, so that the petri dish placing member 400 pivots clockwise about the pivot center axis O ₂ , and the petri dish placing member 400 and the specimen placed on the petri dish placing member 400. The lower lid of the petri dish that has been smeared is again transferred to the predetermined position A ₂ .

Next, the sample application device E will be described with reference to FIGS. As described above, the sample smearing device E holds the smearing device gripping device 700 for gripping the smearing device 50b.
A and lifting device 7 for lifting the applicator gripping device 700A
20A and a horizontal movement device 740A that moves the smearing tool gripping device 700A in the horizontal direction.
The sample smearing device E including such a device is vertically attached to the support frame 20 disposed above the base 1 via the elevating device 720A.

First, the elevating device 720A will be described. The elevating device 720A includes an elevating motor 721, a support frame 20, an elevating shaft 724 whose threads are cut by a predetermined length, and an elevating member 725 screwed to the elevating shaft 724. It The elevating motor 721 has two long bolts 72 in two opening portions opened in the brackets 721a attached to both sides thereof.
2a and 722b are inserted, and so as to be interposed between the bracket 721a and the upper surface of the support frame 20.
The collars 723a and 723b to the two long bolts 7
22a and 722b, respectively, and the supporting frame 20
It is supported above the support frame 20 by screwing the two long bolts 722a and 722b into two screw holes provided on the upper surface of the support frame 20.

The output shaft 721A of the lifting motor 721 is
It is connected to the lifting shaft 724 substantially integrally. The elevating shaft 724 penetrates through the opening of the support frame 20 and extends downward,
The flange 724a is rotatably supported while being restricted in the downward position by a bearing or the like provided in the opening of the support frame 20.

The elevating shaft 724 is screwed with an elevating member 725 which is mounted substantially integrally with a supporting member 726 which supports the applicator gripping device 700A, the horizontal moving device 740A and the like. The support member 726
Two guide shafts 727 that are attached substantially integrally with each other and extend upward are disposed on both sides of the elevating shaft 724, and upper portions thereof are provided by two guide devices 728 provided on the support frame 20. It is slidably supported. As a result, the support member 726 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
Movement is prevented except in the vertical direction within the plane indicated by 0. Therefore, the elevating member 725 integrally attached to the supporting member 726 is also prevented from moving in a direction other than the vertical direction.

In the lifting device 720A having such a structure, when the lifting motor 721 is rotated in a predetermined direction based on a signal from the control unit 2, the lifting shaft 724 is also rotated in the same direction. As a result, the elevating member 725 can be arbitrarily moved up and down in accordance with the rotation direction and the amount of rotation, so that the applicator gripping device 700A and the horizontal movement device 740A, which are substantially integrated with this, can also be arbitrarily moved up and down. .

Next, the horizontal movement device 740A will be described. The horizontal movement device 740A includes a horizontal movement motor 741 and a support base 741a that supports the motor 741 at one horizontal end of the support member 726.
A horizontal movement shaft 744 connected to the output shaft 741A of the motor 741 and having a thread cut by a predetermined length;
A horizontal movement member 745 screwed onto the horizontal movement shaft 744 and attached substantially integrally to the applicator gripping device 700A, and the horizontal movement shaft 744 at the other horizontal end of the support member 726. And a support base 741b that rotatably supports it via a bearing or the like.

Further, the guide shaft 7 for horizontal movement
42a and 742b are the horizontal movement shafts 74
It is provided on both sides across 4. The horizontal movement guide shafts 742a and 742b are slidably inserted only in the horizontal direction via bearings or the like into the openings provided in the horizontal movement member 745, and both ends thereof are the support base 741a. , 741b. As a result, the horizontal movement member 745 and the applicator gripping device 700A integrally attached thereto are prevented from moving in a direction other than the horizontal direction within the plane shown in FIG. The movement accuracy in the direction is improved.

The horizontal movement device 740A having such a configuration
When the horizontal movement motor 741 is rotated in a predetermined direction based on a signal from the control unit 2, the horizontal movement shaft 744 connected to the rotation shaft 741A of the horizontal movement motor 741. Are also rotated in the same direction.
As a result, the horizontal movement member 745 can be arbitrarily moved in the horizontal direction in accordance with the rotation direction and the amount of rotation, and thus the applicator gripping device 700A substantially integrated therewith can also be arbitrarily moved in the horizontal direction. You can

Next, the smearing tool gripping device 700A will be described. The smearing tool gripping device 700A is shown in FIGS.
1, the smearing tool gripping member 707, the smearing tool gripping / releasing member 706 slidably inserted around the outer circumference of the smearing tool gripping member 707, and the horizontal moving member 745. A motor 701 for gripping the smearing tool, which is supported by a motor fixing plate 702 fixed to the end surface by a bolt or the like, and the motor 70
No. 1 rotation shaft 701A and a screw thread cut by a predetermined length, and a coating tool gripping / opening shaft 704 and a coating tool gripping / opening member screwed to the coating tool gripping / opening shaft 704. An elevating member 705 which is attached to the 706 substantially integrally through shafts 708a and 708b, and the smearing tool gripping / opening shaft 704 which is supported below the horizontal direction moving member 745, can freely rotate through a bearing or the like. And a support base 709 for supporting.

The smearing tool gripping device 700A having such a structure is
Based on the signal from the control unit 2, the motor 7 for gripping the smearing tool
01 is rotated in a predetermined direction, the motor 70
The application tool gripping / opening shaft 704 connected to the first rotating shaft 701A is also rotated in the same direction. As a result, the elevating member 705 screwed with the applicator gripping / opening shaft 704 moves up and down. 7
The outer peripheral portion of 07 is moved up and down. By raising and lowering the applicator gripping / opening member 706, the applicator gripping member 70
7 can hold or release the sample.

The construction of the applicator gripping member 707 and the action of gripping and releasing the applicator will be described below. As shown in FIG. 12A, the smearing tool gripping member 707 includes a smearing tool gripping portion 707A, a main body 707B, and a positioning portion 707C.
Composed of and. The positioning portion 707C is attached to the support base 709 substantially integrally.

The sample gripping portion 707A is composed of a plurality of smearing tool gripping claws 707a in which the jaw 707b is directed distally and inwardly, and the root 707c is arranged on the same circumference as the main body 707B. The applicator gripping claw 707a is made of an elastic material, and the jaw 707b expands in the outer peripheral direction in a free state in which the applicator gripping / opening member 706 is not attached to the outer periphery thereof. On the other hand, when the applicator gripping / releasing member 706 is inserted to a predetermined position on the outer periphery of the applicator gripping / releasing member 706, the applicator gripping claw 707a elastically deforms in accordance with the inner surface shape of the applicator gripping / releasing member 706, As shown in FIG. 12B, the internal shape thereof is the cap portion 50 b of the sampling tube 50.
The outer shape is substantially the same as the outer shape.

Next, the operation of gripping and releasing the applicator by the applicator gripping member 707 will be described. First, when the applicator gripping device 700A is lowered by the elevating device 720A in the free state (the state in which the applicator gripping / opening member 706 is located above), the cap 5 of the sampling tube 50 is lowered.
0a is inserted into the applicator gripper 707A.

After that, when the smearing tool gripping motor 701 is rotated and the smearing tool gripping / opening member 706 descends to a predetermined position, a plurality of smearing tool gripping claws 707a of the smearing tool gripping device 707A are used to collect the sampling tubes. The cap 50a of 50 is completely gripped. Therefore, if the lifting device 720A is raised in this state, the applicator gripping device 707
Since A and the container 50c move in the direction in which they separate from each other, the gripping force on the cap 50a and the jaw portion 7 protruding inward by a predetermined amount.
Since 07b presses the lower end of the cap 50a of the sampling tube 50, only the cap 50a can be pulled out from the sampling tube 50.

Thus, the state where the cap 50a is completely grasped corresponds to the state where the cap 50a is grasped in steps 4 to 9 described above. Next, the smearing tool gripping motor 701 is reversed to move the smearing tool gripping / releasing member 70.
When 6 is retracted from the predetermined position by a predetermined amount (moved upward by a predetermined amount in FIG. 12), the applicator gripping claw 707a spreads outward by a predetermined amount. Disappears. However, the jaw 707
Since the position of the lower end of the cap 50c can be regulated by a, the cap 50c is gripped by the applicator gripping device 707A so as to be freely rotatable and axially movable.
This gripping state corresponds to the gripping state of steps 10 to 12 described above.

As described above, the applicator gripping device 700A according to the present invention moves up and down the applicator gripping / releasing member 706 which is slidably attached to the outer periphery of the applicator gripping member 707. Thus, it is extremely excellent in that it is possible to easily grip and open the applicator, and two kinds of gripping modes are possible. In the present invention, the identification symbol printing device K that prints the identification symbol corresponding to the sample on the petri dish, or the identification character or the like so that the sample and the petri dish on which the sample is applied can be immediately associated with each other is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, it is arranged below the above-mentioned predetermined position A ₁ .

The identification mark printing device K includes the substrate 210
It is supported via a support base 1100 fixed to the. A drive motor 1101 is attached to the support base 1100, and a crank 1102 is attached to the output shaft thereof substantially integrally. Then, the crank 1102 is provided with the lifting member 110.
4 and a connecting member 1103 having ball joints at both ends. The lifting member 1104
And a guide shaft 1106a, 1106b is attached to the
The lifting shaft 1105 is sandwiched and slidably fitted and held on both sides. Such guide shafts 1106a, 1
106b is vertically supported by the support base 1100, extends upward, and is fixed by an upper support plate 1107. The elevating shaft 1105 penetrates through an opening provided in the fixed support plate 1107. Above the elevating shaft 1105, an identification mark printing unit 1108 is detachably attached, which is vertically supported by the upper surface plate 1a with the printing unit 1110 facing upward. In the present invention, the identification mark printing means 1108 uses a so-called rotary printing device, but the present invention is not limited to this.
Any printing device, label sticking device, or the like may be used. The printing unit 1110 is the printing unit 11 provided at the predetermined position A ₁ of the transport plate 204 shown in FIG. 7.
It is usually located below the opening 204D that allows passage of 10.

When the drive motor 1101 is rotated based on the signal from the control unit 2, the crank 110
2, the elevating shaft 11 via the connecting member 1103
05 rises, and accordingly, the identification mark printing means 11
The printing portion 1110 of 08 is projected from the opening portion 204D so that printing is performed on the lower surface of the lower lid of the petri dish with a predetermined pressing force. In addition, in the case where the petri dish is allowed to move upward due to such pressing force, it goes without saying that a position regulation plate or the like may be provided above the petri dish to prevent the petri dish from floating.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the petri dish group supplying device A, the petri dish withdrawing / conveying device B, the lid separating /
A polymerization device C, a petri dish stacking device H, a petri dish group dispensing device I, and a petri dish group storage device J are arranged in a substantially U-shape, and the petri dish transfer device D is arranged inward of the substantially U-shape.
Since the sample smearing device E, the collection tube holding device F, and the XY plane moving device G are arranged, the installation space of this device can be reduced, and at the same time, it can be projected to the outside of the device. Since moving objects can be eliminated, work safety can be improved.

Further, the petri dish group obtained by stacking a plurality of petri dish group feeding devices A is supplied to the petri dish withdrawing / conveying device B, and the petri dish group feeding device B is used to stack the petri dish groups. Petri dishes are drawn one by one from the inside and conveyed, and a plurality of petri dishes that are conveyed one by one by the petri dish stacking device H are piled up again and the petri dishes that are piled up are petri dish group dispensing device I. Since the petri dish storage device J is used to store the petri dish group, the present device can be significantly downsized and the installation space can be significantly reduced.

Further, by providing the lid separating / polymerizing device C having a very simple structure for separating the upper lid and the lower lid of the petri dish in cooperation with the petri dish withdrawing / transporting device B, the lid separating / polymerizing with a complicated configuration is provided. Since there is no need to install a device, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the device can be simplified, while the upper lid and lower lid can be separated and polymerized while further transporting the petri dish to the next step, so separate lids can be separated independently. -Since it is not necessary to provide a polymerization step, the number of steps can be reduced, the apparatus can be downsized, and the installation space can be reduced.

Since the petri dish withdrawal / conveying device B is constituted by a cam mechanism to convey each petri dish, an expensive position sensor or the like is not required and the control algorithm of the control section 2 is simple. Therefore, the device can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. If the identification mark printing device K is provided, it is possible to completely prevent confusion of petri dishes without the need for the operator to enter the identification mark.

By the way, in the present embodiment, the petri dish group supply device A and the petri dish group storage device J are described as having five petri dish groups placed in a line, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, a device for supplying a plurality of petri dish groups may be further provided in the most upstream part of the petri dish group supply device A, and the petri dish group is discharged and stored from the most downstream part of the petri dish group storage device J. Of course, various devices may be provided. In such a case, a simple device such as a roller conveyor that conveys by using gravity may be used.

[0131]

As described above, according to the automatic smearing device for a test object according to the present invention, the test object operates regularly so as to prevent confusion between the test object and the culture container onto which the test object has been applied. As a result, it is possible to mechanize and automate the entire coating process of the inspection object, thereby improving work efficiency and working environment.

Then, after feeding a plurality of stacked culture vessel groups by the culture vessel group supply device, the culture vessels are taken out one by one from the culture vessel group, and the culture vessel after the test object is smeared Also, since a plurality of cells are stacked and stored as a culture container group, the supply space and storage space can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where a plurality of culture containers are supplied and stored without being stacked.

Further, a culture container group supply device, a culture container transfer device, a lid separation / polymerization device, a culture container stacking device, a culture container delivery device, and a culture container storage device,
When the identification symbol printing device is provided, the identification symbol printing device and the identification symbol printing device are arranged so as to form a substantially U-shape, and the culture container transfer device, the inspection object spraying device, and the inside of the substantially U-shape.
By arranging the inspection object holding device and the horizontal plane moving device, the installation space of this device can be significantly reduced, and at the same time, it is possible to eliminate the one that projects and moves to the outside of the device. Work safety can be improved.

Furthermore, by performing the operation of pulling out the culture container from the culture container group supply device and the operation of separating the lid / polymerization by the lid separating / polymerizing device in association with the culture container carrying operation of the culture container carrying device, Since each operation is performed simultaneously and by the same power source by one-time operation of transporting the culture vessel, it is extremely efficient, and further, the number of components can be reduced, and further, the manufacturing cost and the installation space can be reduced. .

When the test object is sprayed by rotating the culture medium, the test object smearing device holds the smearing tool so that it can move in the vertical direction, and the smearing tool is applied to the culture medium only by its own weight. By contacting and smearing the test object, excessive pressing force does not occur and the medium is not damaged. Further, even if the shape of the applicator is, for example, a spoon-shaped one other than the rod-like shape, since the applicator is rotatably held, the applicator is naturally placed at a position where sliding resistance with the medium is small. Since it freely rotates, it does not damage the medium due to the wedge action of the spoon.

Further, the inspection object holding device for positioning and fixing the plurality of sampling tubes for storing the inspection object set in the apparatus main body and holding a plurality of them substantially vertically is linked to the movement of the moving device in the horizontal plane in the predetermined direction. , A path for positioning and fixing the inspection object holding device is provided on the horizontal plane moving device, and after the positioning and fixing, the horizontal plane moving device is inspected by the specified sampling pipe of the plurality of sampling pipes. If the inspection object holding device is moved so as to come to the object spraying position, the operator only sets the inspection object holding device on the device, and the inspection object spraying of the inspection object is performed. Since the supply to the apparatus is automatically performed and the entire coating process of the inspection object is automatically performed, the work efficiency can be significantly improved. Further, the processed inspection object holding device is linked to the movement of the horizontal plane moving device in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction,
The inspection object holding device, which is positioned and fixed on the horizontal plane moving device, is returned to the position initially set in the device body, and a plurality of the paths are provided, and a plurality of the paths are provided at each set position on the path. By setting the inspection target object holding device, it becomes possible to successively process a plurality of inspection target object holding devices in succession, so that the inspection target object can be more efficiently smeared. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view of an automatic smearing device for an inspection object according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an automatic smearing device for an inspection object according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an automatic smearing device for an inspection object according to the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a top view of a petri dish group feeding device A. FIG.
(B) is a side view of (A).

FIG. 5 is a front view of a petri dish withdrawing / conveying device B and an identification mark printing device K.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a petri dish withdrawal / conveyance device B and an identification mark printing device K.

FIG. 7A is a top view of a petri dish drawer / conveyance device B and a lid separation / polymerization device C. (B) is a side view showing a part of the petri dish drawer / conveyance device B and the lid separation / polymerization device C.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method for separating the upper lid and the lower lid of the petri dish.

9A is a top view of a petri dish transfer / rotation device D. FIG. (B) is a side view of (A).

FIG. 10 is a front view of the sample applying device E.

FIG. 11 (A) is a side view of the sample application device E. (B)
Is a partially enlarged view of the specimen smearing device E.

FIG. 12A is an enlarged view of a smearing tool gripping member 707.
(B) is a figure explaining the holding method of 700 A of smearing tool holding devices.

13A is a top view of the sampling tube holding device F. FIG.
(B) is a front view of (A). (C) is a side view of (B). FIG. 6D is a partial top view of another embodiment.

FIG. 14A is an explanatory diagram (side view) of a method of positioning the XY plane moving device F and the sampling tube holding device F. (B)
Is a partial top view of the XY plane moving device F. (C) is
The partial front view of (A).

FIG. 15 is a side sectional view of a petri dish stacking device H.

16A is a side sectional view showing a petri dish group dispensing device I and a petri dish group storage device J. FIG. (B) is a top view of a petri dish group dispensing device I and a petri dish group storage device J.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a sample application method of the automatic application device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Petri dish feeding device B Petri dish withdrawing / transporting device C Lid separating / polymerizing device D Petri dish transferring / rotating device E Specimen smearing device F Collection tube holding device G XY plane moving device H Petri dish stacking device I Petri dish group dispensing device J Petri dish storage device K identification code printing device 1 base 2 control unit 20 petri dish 50 sampling tube

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] July 9, 1993

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 4

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

FIG. 4 is a view showing a petri dish group supply device A according to the present invention.

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A culture vessel group supply device for holding a plurality of culture vessel groups in which a plurality of culture vessels are stacked and supplying each group to a predetermined position periodically, and a culture vessel from the culture vessel group supplied to the predetermined position. And a lid separating device for separating the upper lid and the lower lid of the drawn culture vessel, and a predetermined test object coated with a test object on the medium in the separated lower lid. A test object spraying device that sprays at a spraying position, a lid polymerization device that polymerizes the separated upper lid and a lower lid after the test object is sprayed, and a culture container in which the upper lid and the lower lid are polymerized. A culture container stacking device for sequentially stacking, a culture container group discharging / storing device for discharging and storing the culture container group to a different position each time the stacked culture container reaches a predetermined number, and each of the devices. A control unit for controlling the operation, An automatic smearing device for an inspection object, comprising: 2. The culture container withdrawing device regulates the horizontal movement of the container group above the lowermost position of the culture container group carried into the predetermined position, and horizontally moves only the culture container at the lowermost position. The automatic smearing device for an inspection object according to claim 1, further comprising: a support mechanism that freely supports and draws out the culture container at the lowest position. 3. The pulling-out mechanism engages with a rear portion of a lower end periphery of the culture container at the lowermost position to freely pull out the culture container in one direction, and a pull-out claw that pulls out the culture container. After that, a reciprocating mechanism for returning the next culture container to the drawer start position and a swinging mechanism for swinging the drawer claw so as not to interfere with the next culture container are provided. The automatic coating device for an inspection object according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The lid separating device separates the upper lid and the lower lid of the culture container pulled out by the culture container pulling-out device by moving them in one direction by a culture container transporting device and vertically separating them. Claim 1 to claim 3
An automatic coating device for an inspection object according to any one of 1. 5. The lid polymerizing device moves the upper lid separated by the lid separating device and the lower lid after spraying the test object in one direction by a culture container transporting device while moving them in the up-down direction to polymerize the same. The automatic smearing device for an inspection object according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein 6. The lid separating device and the lid polymerizing device comprise a pair of lid separating / polymerizing plates, which are flat plates having a substantially trapezoidal shape, and have an inner width larger than the lower lid of the culture container and smaller than that of the upper lid. Along with being arranged parallel to the moving direction, the lower lid of the culture vessel is located between the pair of lid separating / polymerizing plates, and the lower end of the upper lid is in contact with the upper ends of the pair of lid separating / polymerizing plates, The upper lid and the lower lid of the culture container are separated and superposed on each other along the substantially trapezoidal shape by moving the culture container in one direction by a culture container transporting device. Automatic smearing device for the described inspection object. 7. A transfer device for transferring the lower lid separated by the lid separating device to the predetermined inspection object spraying position and returning it to the original position again after the inspection object spraying, The smearing device grips the smearing tool to which the test object adheres at the test object spraying position and sprays the medium onto the medium in the lower lid. The automatic smearing device for the inspection object according to one. 8. At the predetermined inspection object smearing position,
A lower device is provided with a rotating device for rotating the separated lower lid, wherein the inspection object applying device moves in the radial direction while gripping the applying tool at the predetermined position, and is rotated by the rotating device. The test object according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the test object is applied in a spiral shape by bringing the smearing tool into contact with the medium in the lower lid while moving relative to the test object. Automatic object coating device. 9. The transfer device is configured so as to be swingable in a horizontal plane about a fixed support shaft, and has the rotating device at a tip end portion thereof on which the lower lid is mounted. The automatic smearing device for the inspection object according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. The test object applying device holds the applicator freely in vertical movement when applying the test object, and brings the applicator into contact with the culture medium only by its own weight so that the test object is applied. The automatic application device for an inspection object according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the automatic application device applies an application liquid. 11. The culture vessel stacking device comprises a ratchet mechanism for allowing upward movement of the culture vessel having the upper lid and the lower lid superposed by the lid superimposing device and restricting the fall thereof, and the culture vessel is provided with the ratchet. The automatic smearing device for an inspection object according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the automatic smearing device pushes up to a predetermined position via a mechanism and stacks. 12. An inspection target object holding device for holding a plurality of sampling pipes for storing an inspection target object substantially vertically so that they can be fixed / opened, and a sampling pipe specified from the plurality of sampling pipes is applied to the inspection target object. An in-horizontal plane moving device for moving the inspection object holding device so as to come to a spray position, wherein the inspection object spray device is an inspection object from the sampling pipe moved to the inspection object spray position. The automatic object-applying device for an inspection object according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the automatic object-applying device for an inspection object is configured to include an inspection object holding device for extracting and holding an applicator to which an object adheres. 13. The inspection object holding device is configured to have a support member having a plurality of openings for inserting each of the plurality of sampling tubes and supporting the collection tubes in a substantially vertical direction, and to be freely movable in a horizontal plane, and the plurality of support members. A sampling tube pressing plate having an opening through which each sampling tube penetrates and capable of contacting each of the plurality of sampling tubes when moving in a horizontal plane, and movement of the sampling tube pressing plate in a horizontal plane. By controlling, the fixed state in which each sampling tube is clamped by the opening in the support member and the opening in the sampling tube pressing plate to regulate the vertical movement of each sampling tube, and the clamped state is released. 13. The automatic smearing device for an inspection object according to claim 12, further comprising: switching means for switching between an open state in which the vertical movement of the sampling tube is allowed. 14. The inspection object holding device is set above the horizontal plane moving device at a predetermined position so as to be engageable with the horizontal plane moving device in at least one reciprocating direction, and the horizontal plane is set from the set position. By moving the inner moving device in the one reciprocating direction to another predetermined position, the mechanism linked to the movement positions and fixes the inspection object holding device on the horizontal moving device, while The object to be inspected according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising a fixing and releasing device configured to release the positioning and fixing by returning in a reverse direction and return to the original state. Automatic smearing device. 15. A path for moving in one reciprocating direction is set to two.
One or more are provided side by side, and in a state where the inspection object holding device is set at each set position on each path, the horizontal plane moving device does not engage with each inspection object holding device in the direction between the set positions. Each time the in-horizontal plane moving device is processed one by one, it moves to an adjacent set position to process the next inspected object holding device. 15. The automatic smearing device for an inspection object according to claim 14. 16. The fixed opening device is fixed to the main body of the device, is tilted in the vertical direction, and is provided with a pair of inclined frames which are parallel to each other with the inspection object holding device in the set position interposed therebetween, and A pair of inclined surfaces which are formed on both side surfaces of the inclined frame and slidably contact the upper surfaces of the pair of inclined frames to support the inspection object holding device in a substantially vertical direction. By moving the moving device to a predetermined position, the inspection object holding device and the in-horizontal moving device while moving the inspection object holding device downward by sliding along the inclined frame of the inclined surface. To position and fix the inspection object holding device on the horizontal plane moving device by engaging with the movement in a direction opposite to the movement. 16. The automatic smearing device for an inspection object according to claim 14 or claim 15, further comprising a mechanism for returning the original state to the original state. 17. A culture container drawing operation by the culture container group drawing device, a lid separating operation by the lid separating device, a lid polymerizing operation by the lid polymerizing device, and a culture container stacking operation by the culture container stacking device. Is performed simultaneously, and the operation of applying the inspection object by the inspection object application device is performed between the operations, the inspection object according to any one of claims 1 to 16. Automatic paint application device. 18. The culture container withdrawing operation by the culture container group withdrawing device, the lid separating operation by the lid separating device, and the lid superimposing operation by the lid superimposing device, which are simultaneously performed, are one rotation in one direction. A drive motor, two cam mechanisms driven by the drive motor, and a corresponding operation while engaging the culture vessels driven by the cam mechanisms and operating the culture vessels in one direction while transporting the culture vessels in one direction,
And a transport mechanism that cyclically returns to a predetermined position thereafter.
An automatic smearing device for the inspection object according to claim 17. 19. An identification mark printing device for printing an identification mark on a culture container for associating an inspection object with the culture container, wherein the identification mark printing device is included.
8. An automatic smearing device for the inspection object according to any one of 8. 20. The printing operation by the identification mark printing device includes the operation of pulling out the culture container, the operation of separating the lid,
20. The inspection object according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the lid stacking operation and the stacking operation of the culture vessels are printed on the bottom surface of the lower lid of the culture vessels in synchronization with each other. Automatic paint application device. 21. A culture container group supply device, a culture container drawer device, a lid separation device, a lid polymerization device, the culture container transport device, a culture container stacking device, and a culture container group discharge / storage device. When the identification mark printing device is provided, the identification mark printing device and the identification mark printing device are arranged so as to form a substantially U-shape, and the inspection target application device and other devices are arranged inside the U-shape. The automatic smearing device for an inspection object according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the automatic smearing device is provided.