JPH07213586A - Test tube supplier for fractionation injection - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a test tube supplier for fractionation injection possible to discharge a number of test tubes accumulated in a hopper correctly one by one from an opening at the hopper bottom, a test tube supplier possible to stick a label with specific information to each test tube quickly and correctly, etc. CONSTITUTION:This test tube supplier for fractionation injection is provided with a test tube supplying hopper 10 to discharge test tubes 1 stored and accumulated parallel in a hopper from a bottom opening 11 and an individual test tube unloading mechanism 20 mainly comprising a rotary drum 22 with test tube holding ditches 21 to unload test tubes one by one, set on the bottom opening of the hopper 10, on the outer edge. It is also provided with a mechanism 30 to transport a tube 1 unloaded by the mechanism 20 to a label sticker position, a label sticker to stick a individual information record label on the middle of the test tube 1 transported by the mechanism 30, and a mechanism to send the test tube 1 with a label 41 stuck by the label sticker out to a test tube transportation line.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dispensing test tube supply device for automatically supplying a dispensing test tube used when dispensing a sample such as blood.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional device of this type, a plurality of test tubes which are arranged in parallel in a row in advance in a test tube housing case are taken out one by one, and the extracted test tubes are placed in the middle abdomen. , There is a test tube that is provided so that it can be sent out onto a test tube transport path for dispensing after attaching a label with a unique identification mark to the test tube.

[0003]

In the conventional apparatus having the above-mentioned structure, since a plurality of test tubes must be arranged in parallel in a row in advance, it takes time to prepare and the test tubes are arranged in a row in parallel. The test tube storage case for storing the test tube becomes large in size, which requires a large installation space. As a solution to such a problem, a test tube supply hopper having an opening at the lower end is used, and a large number of test tubes are stacked and housed in parallel in the hopper so that the axis of the test tube is oriented in the horizontal direction. When supplying test tubes,
It has been proposed that the test tubes be discharged one by one from the opening at the lower end of the hopper. However, in the case of using the above test tube supply hopper, the downward movement obstacle of the test tube due to the mutual pressing force of the test tubes is likely to occur, the test tube is clogged near the lower end opening of the hopper, and it cannot be discharged. There was a risk of falling.

Further, there is no means for accurately sticking the label to the test tube, the label sticking work is complicated, and the sticking state often varies. An object of the present invention is to provide the following device. (1) A test tube supply device for dispensing, which can accurately discharge a large number of test tubes stacked and accommodated in the hopper from the opening at the lower end of the hopper. (2) Dispensing test tube supply device that can quickly and accurately attach a label with information specific to the test tube.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the dispensing test tube supply device of the present invention is configured as follows. (1) The test tube supply device for dispensing according to the present invention includes a test tube supply hopper provided so that a plurality of test tubes that are stacked in parallel and accommodated can be discharged from a lower end opening, and this test. It is installed at the bottom opening of the tube supply hopper,
A label sticking machine is provided with a test tube individual take-out mechanism mainly composed of a rotary drum having a test tube accommodating groove on the outer periphery so that each test tube taken out by this test tube individual take-out mechanism can be taken out to the outside one by one. A transfer mechanism for sequentially transferring to a position, and a label sticking machine for sticking a label recording information specific to the test tube to the middle abdomen of each test tube sequentially transferred to the position by the transfer mechanism. , A test tube delivery mechanism for delivering the test tube to which a label has been attached by the label attaching machine onto a dispensing test tube transport path. (2) The dispensing test tube supply device of the present invention is the device described in (1) above, and the test tube supply hopper is
Oscillation of a mode set with respect to a plurality of test tubes housed in the hopper (for example, a swing cycle, a swing width,
A rocking imparting means for imparting a rocking direction or the like is provided. (3) The test tube supply device for dispensing according to the present invention is the device described in (1) above, and the label sticking machine separates the label on the mounted mount from the mount and supplies the label. A label supply mechanism, a test tube rotation support mechanism that rotatably supports the test tube transferred by the transfer mechanism on a pair of rollers arranged in parallel in a horizontal plane, and can be rotated by this test tube rotation support mechanism. The test tube supported on the abdomen and the adhesive surface of the label supplied by the label supply mechanism are brought into pressure contact with each other, and the test tube is rotated to wind the label around the test tube abdomen. And means for adhering.

[0006]

As a result of taking the above-mentioned means, the following effects occur. (1) A plurality of test tubes housed in a parallel stack in a test tube supply hopper are installed in the lower end opening of the hopper and are driven to rotate. Into the test tube housing groove, and is discharged to the outside from the lower end opening of the hopper as the rotary drum rotates. At this time, the rotational movement of the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum gives appropriate vibration to the test tube existing in the vicinity thereof. As a result, the obstacles for the downward movement of the test tubes due to the mutual pressing force of the test tubes are eliminated, and the many test tubes stacked in the hopper do not cause so-called "clogging", and the bottom opening of the hopper does not It will be discharged properly one by one. (2) The plurality of test tubes housed inside the test tube supply hopper are appropriately rocked in a set manner by the rocking imparting means provided in the hopper. Therefore, coupled with the vibration accompanying the rotation of the rotary drum, the downward movement obstacle of the test tube due to the pressing force between the test tubes can be removed more reliably and efficiently.
Therefore, there is no possibility that the test tube will be "clogging" near the lower end opening of the hopper, and the test tube can be taken out stably and reliably to the outside. (3) The label on the mount, which has been sent to the sticking section of the label sticking machine, is separated from the mount by the label supply mechanism and is in a standby state ready for supply. On the other hand, the test tube transferred to the installation position of the label sticking machine by the transfer mechanism is rotatably supported on a pair of rollers arranged in parallel in the same horizontal plane. Then, the test tube is pressed against the adhesive surface of the label, which is in a standby state so that its middle abdomen can be supplied, and is rotationally driven by the rotational driving means. As a result, the label is securely wrapped around the mid-abdomen of the test tube and applied in a consistent state. Thus, the label having the information peculiar to the test tube can be quickly and accurately attached to the abdomen of the test tube.

[0007]

1 is a perspective view showing a test tube supply hopper and a test tube individual take-out mechanism of a dispensing test tube supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the labeling machine of the dispensing test tube supply device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a test tube delivery mechanism and a test tube mounting table of the dispensing test tube supply device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a test tube delivery mechanism and a test tube transport mechanism of the dispensing test tube supply device according to the embodiment. This device is automatically controlled by the sequence controller C.

In FIG. 1, 10 is a hopper for supplying test tubes, 20 is a mechanism for individually taking out test tubes, and 30
Is a transfer mechanism. The test tube supply hopper 10 can be provided with an appropriate lid (not shown) on the front and rear surfaces, and a large number of test tubes 1 are stacked in parallel inside and housed therein. These test tubes 1 are provided so that they can be discharged to the outside from the lower end opening 11. The lower end opening 11 is, for example, a gearup having a predetermined width that is present between the lower end edges of a pair of inclined bottom walls 10a and 10b that are inclined by about 30 ° with respect to the horizontal plane and face each other.

The test tube supply hopper 10 swings in a set manner with respect to the plurality of test tubes 1 housed in the hopper 10 (for example, swing period, swing width, swing direction, etc.). Is appropriately set). That is, the test tube supply hopper 1
A pair of vibrating plates 12 and 13 are arranged parallel to each other in the vertical direction inside 0, and these are driven by an air piston / cylinder device 14 for a predetermined period or continuously in a predetermined horizontal amplitude. And a vibration mechanism 15 provided so as to give the test tube 1 a desired swing.
Is installed. The test tube individual take-out mechanism 20 described later also has a function as one of the rocking imparting means.

The individual test tube take-out mechanism 20 is mainly composed of a rotary drum 22 having a test tube receiving groove 21 on its outer peripheral surface, which is installed so as to partially face the lower end opening 11 of the test tube supply hopper 10. It is formed, and is driven to rotate intermittently by the power of the motor 23 at the timing set in the arrow direction. Thus, as the rotary drum 22 rotates, the test tubes 1 recessed in the test tube housing grooves 21 are taken out one by one to the outside.

A first guide plate 24 and a second guide plate 25 are continuously provided along the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 22. A test tube insertion direction confirmation sensor 26 having a detection element attached to the tip of the air piston / cylinder device is installed near the lower edge of the first guide plate 24. Second
The guide plate 25 is pivotally supported at one end so that it can be opened and closed in a swing door manner.
The test tube 1 inserted in the opposite direction can be discharged by the opening and closing drive by 7. Below the lower end edge of the second guide plate 25, the test tube 1 that has escaped from the test tube housing groove 21.
A transfer mechanism 30 including a test tube holding portion 33 that receives and holds the test tube is arranged.

The transfer mechanism 30 sequentially transfers each test tube 1 taken out by the individual test tube take-out mechanism 20 to the position of the label sticking machine, and combines a pair of holding pieces 31, 32 in a V shape. The formed test tube holding part 33, the air piston / cylinder device 34 for dropping the test tube 1 downward by opening the space between the pair of holding pieces 31, 32 of the test tube holding part 33, and the whole of these For example, it comprises a transfer means (not shown) for transferring in the directions of thick arrows Z and Y.

In FIG. 2, the label sticking machine 40 has a label in which information peculiar to the test tube 1 is recorded on the middle abdomen of each test tube 1 which has been sequentially transferred to the position of the label sticking machine by the transfer mechanism 30. 41 is attached.
The label sticking machine 40 is extruded with a label feeding mechanism 43 having a base with an acute-angled tip portion, which is configured to peel the fed label 41 from the mount 42 and put it in a supply standby state. The label sensor 44 that detects when the tip of the label 41 has reached a predetermined position and the test tube 1 that has been transferred by the transfer mechanism 30 are rotated on a pair of rollers 45 and 46 that are arranged in parallel in a horizontal plane. The test tube rotation support mechanism 47 that supports the test tube 1 as much as possible, and the label 41 that is in a supply standby state for the middle abdomen of the test tube 1 that is rotatably supported by raising the test tube rotation support mechanism 47. The two-stage air piston / cylinder device 48 that is pressed against the bonding surface (lower end surface in the figure) of the device, and is rotated by the power of the motor 49 and pressed against the test tube 1 from above. The tubes 1 and rotated, thereby being configured the label 41 from the drive roller 50, 51, 52 Metropolitan of adhering wound around the abdomen in the test tube 1. The label sticking machine 40 includes a label issuing machine (not shown) capable of issuing a bar code label 41 specific to the test tube 1 based on the given information.

The pull-out arm 55 attached to the tip of the shaft 54 driven forward and backward by the air piston / cylinder device 53 moves the labeled test tube 1 in the longitudinal direction in order to move it to the next step. Pull out to.

As shown in FIG. 3, the test tube delivery mechanism 6
0 is an arm 61 having a claw 62 capable of gripping the middle abdomen of the label-attached test tube 1 in a state of being pulled out by the drawer arm 55 and lying on the upper surface of the test tube mounting table 70, and this arm 61. And a posture changing mechanism 63 for changing the posture.

The posture changing mechanism 63 transmits the power of a rotary actuator 64 including a motor or the like to a pulley 65 via a speed reduction mechanism (not shown), and further to another pulley 67 via a belt 66, and this pulley 67 is used. The base end portion of the arm 61 fixed to the shaft is driven to rotate. The entire air piston / cylinder device 68 is driven up and down.

The test tube mounting table 70 for mounting the label-attached test tube 1 has a V-shaped groove 71 for holding the test tube 1 in a recumbent state on the upper surface of the base body, and both side edges of this groove 71. Further, it has a notch portion 72 provided so that the claw portion 62 provided at the tip of the arm 61 can be inserted thereinto. 7
Reference numeral 3 is an air piston / cylinder device that drives the entire table to move up and down.

As shown in FIG. 4, the test tube delivery mechanism 6
0 changes the posture of the arm 61 by the posture changing mechanism 63 to change the posture of the test tube 1 to the test tube transporting mechanism 80.
It can be loaded into the cylindrical test tube holder 81. The test tube transport mechanism 80 includes the guide edges 82a. The cylindrical test tube holder 81 having the annular groove 81a engaged with the 83a is conveyed in a predetermined direction as the belt conveyor 84 moves. Reference numeral 85 is a bar code reader for reading the record information (bar code) of the label 41, and 86.
Is a stop pin for temporarily stopping the transportation of the test tube holder 81. When the test tube holder 81 is stopped, the stop pin 86 is driven forward by the air piston / cylinder device 87 and protrudes into the conveyance path, and is inserted into the annular groove 81b of the test tube holder 81 to be held in the holder 81. To stop the transportation.

The device thus constructed operates as follows. When the sequence control device C is started in a state where a large number of test tubes 1 are stacked in parallel and housed in the test tube supply hopper 10, the motor 23 of the test tube individual take-out mechanism 20 is activated based on the control signal S. It rotates intermittently at the set timing. Therefore, the rotary drum 22 also intermittently rotates in the direction of the arrow. As the rotating drum 22 rotates, the test tubes 1 in the hopper 10 are recessed into the grooves 21 of the rotating drum 22 one by one, and the rotating drum 2
With the rotation of 2, the hopper 10 moves toward the lower end opening 11 and further moves to the outside. At this time, based on the control signal S, the vibrating mechanism 15 operates at a proper time. Therefore, each test tube 1 housed inside the test tube supply hopper 10 is rocked in a set manner (for example, the vibration mechanism 1 described above).
5, the vibration plates 12 and 13 are periodically vibrated in the horizontal direction with a predetermined amplitude. At the same time, vibration associated with the rotating operation of the rotary drum 22 is also given to the test tube 1 as a swing. Therefore, each test tube 1 is smoothly rotated by the rotary drum 2 without causing “clogging” due to pressure contact between the test tubes.
It is recessed into the second groove 21 and further moves to the outside from the lower end opening 11 of the hopper 10 as the rotary drum 22 rotates. Test tube 1 in a state of being recessed in the groove 21
However, when it reaches a position near the lower end edge of the first guide plate 24, the test tube insertion direction confirmation sensor 26 checks whether or not the insertion direction of the test tube 1 is normal. When the orientation of the test tube 1 is abnormal (reverse), the air piston / cylinder device 27 operates based on the control signal S to open the second guide plate 25. Therefore, the test tube 1 falls from that position and is removed to the outside. When the orientation of the test tube 1 is normal, the test tube 1 is guided by the second guide plate 25 and then falls into the test tube holding portion 33 of the transfer mechanism 30. Then, the transfer mechanism 30 is transferred to the label sticking machine position by a transfer means (not shown).

When the label applicator position is reached, the air piston / cylinder of the transfer mechanism 30
The device 34 works to widen the distance between the pair of holding pieces 31 and 32 formed by combining them in a V shape. Therefore, the test tube 1 drops downward from the test tube holding portion 33 and is rotatably supported on the pair of rollers 45 and 46 in the test tube rotation support mechanism 47.

On the other hand, the label sticking machine 40 operates on the basis of the control signal S, and the bar code label 41 issued and sent out by the label issuing machine (not shown) is peeled from the mount 42 by the label supply mechanism 43. And is pushed forward. The pushed-out label 41 stops at the position detected by the label sensor 44 and enters the sticking standby state. The test tube rotation support mechanism 47 that rotatably supports the test tube 1 is driven up to a height set by a two-stage air piston / cylinder device 48 that operates based on a control signal S. Then, the test tube 1 has its middle abdomen pressed against the adhesive surface (lower end surface in the drawing) of the label 41 in the standby state. At the same time, since the motor 49 rotates based on the control signal S,
The drive rollers 50, 51 and 52 press the label 41 against the middle abdomen of the test tube 1 while rotating the test tube 1. Therefore, the label 41 is wrapped with the rotation of the test tube 1. Thus, the label 41 recording the information peculiar to the test tube 1 is attached to the middle abdomen of each test tube 1 transferred to the position of the labeling machine. Upon completion of this label sticking operation, the test tube rotation support mechanism 47 descends to the original position based on the control signal S. And label 4 on the abdomen
The test tube 1 to which 1 is attached is pulled out to a predetermined position in its longitudinal direction by a pulling arm 55 which is driven forward and backward by an air piston / cylinder device 53 which operates based on a control signal S.

The test tube 1 drawn out by the drawing arm 55 is laid on a groove 71 formed in the upper surface of the test tube mounting table 70. Based on the control signal S, the air piston / cylinder device 68 of the test tube delivery mechanism 60 is activated and the shaft 69 is lowered. Then, the posture changing mechanism 63 is operated, and the claws 62 provided at the tip of the arm 61 are inserted into the notches 72 formed on both side edges of the groove 71 of the test tube mounting table 70. At this time, the air piston / cylinder device 73 is slightly lowered. Therefore, the tip of the claw portion 62 easily reaches the region under the middle abdomen of the labeled test tube 1 in a state of being laid on the upper surface of the test tube placement table 70. Therefore, the test tube 1 is surely held in the middle abdomen. Subsequently, the air piston / cylinder device 68 is operated and the attitude changing mechanism 63 is driven to rise. Further, the whole test tube delivery mechanism 60 is transferred to the test tube transfer mechanism 80 as a dispensing test tube transfer path by a moving means (not shown).

Above the test tube transport mechanism 80, the posture changing mechanism 63 operates based on the control signal S to move the arm 6
The posture of No. 1 is controlled to be changed from the horizontal state to the vertical state. The air piston / cylinder device 68 continues to operate,
The posture changing mechanism 63 is moved down. Therefore, test tube 1
Is inserted into the hollow portion of the cylindrical test tube holder 81 in the test tube transport mechanism 80. Immediately after this, the grip of the test tube 1 by the arm 61 is released, the air piston / cylinder device 68 moves upward, and the attitude changing mechanism 63 returns to the original position. Thus, the test tube 1 is loaded into the cylindrical test tube holder 81 and sent to the dispensing test tube transport path. The bar code of the label 41 attached to the abdomen of the test tube 1 is read by the bar code reader 85, and after it is confirmed that the bar code is normal, the test tube transfer mechanism 80 transfers the bar code in a predetermined direction. Go.

The configuration and operational effects of this embodiment are summarized as follows. (1) The dispensing test tube supply device of the present embodiment is a test tube supply hopper 10 provided so that a plurality of test tubes 1 stacked in parallel and accommodated can be discharged from a lower end opening 11.
A test formed mainly of a rotary drum 22 which is installed in the lower end opening 11 of the hopper 10 for supplying test tubes and has test tube receiving grooves 21 on the outer periphery so that the test tubes 1 are taken out one by one to the outside. Tube individual take-out mechanism 20 and transfer mechanism 30 for sequentially transferring each test tube 1 taken out by the test tube individual take-out mechanism 20 to the label sticking machine position.
And a label sticking machine 40 for sticking a label 41 recording information specific to the test tube 1 to the middle abdomen of each test tube 1 sequentially transferred to the label sticking machine position by the transfer mechanism 30, The test tube 1 labeled by the label sticking machine 40 is provided with a test tube delivery mechanism 60 for delivering the test tube 1 onto a dispensing test tube transport path.

Therefore, the plurality of test tubes 1 which are stacked in parallel in the test tube supply hopper 10 and accommodated therein are installed in the lower end opening 11 of the hopper 10 and are individually driven to rotate the test tube 20. It falls into the test tube accommodation groove 21 provided on the outer peripheral portion of the rotary drum 22, and is sequentially discharged from the lower end opening 11 of the hopper 20 to the outside as the rotary drum 22 rotates. At this time, the rotational movement of the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 22 gives appropriate vibration to the test tube 1 existing in the vicinity thereof. as a result,
The downward movement obstacle of the test tube 1 caused by the pressing force between the test tubes is eliminated, and the many test tubes 1 stacked and accommodated in the hopper 10 do not cause so-called "clogging", and the lower end opening of the hopper 10 does not occur. It will be properly discharged one by one from 11. (2) The test tube supply device for dispensing according to the present embodiment has the above (1)
The device according to [1], and a hopper 10 for supplying test tubes.
Is a swing that gives a set swing (for example, a swing period, a swing width, a swing direction, and the like are appropriately set) to the plurality of test tubes 1 housed in the hopper 10. Provision means are provided.

Therefore, since the plurality of test tubes 1 housed in the test tube supply hopper 10 are given the swing of the mode set by the swing applying means,
In combination with the vibration accompanying the rotation of the rotary drum 22, the downward movement obstacle of the test tube 1 caused by the pressing force between the test tubes is more reliably and efficiently removed. Therefore, there is no possibility that the test tube 1 will be "clogging" near the lower end opening 11 of the hopper 10, and the test tube 1 can be taken out stably and reliably to the outside. (3) The test tube supply device for dispensing according to the present embodiment is the same as the above (2).
The vibration imparting means is a device for vibrating the vibrating plates 12 and 13 arranged in the test tube supply hopper 10 along the vertical direction in the horizontal direction by the driving means. The mechanism 15 is included.

Therefore, each test tube 1 is rocked by the vibration along the horizontal direction of the vibrating plates 12 and 13 arranged in the test tube supply hopper 10 along the vertical direction. In spite of the constitution, the downward movement obstacle of the test tube 1 caused by the pressing force between the test tubes, particularly in the horizontal direction, can be surely removed. (4) The dispensing test tube supply device of the present embodiment is the same as the above (1).
The label sticking machine 40 is a device described in 4 above, and the label feeding mechanism 43 that peels the label 41 on the mount 42 that has been sent from the mount 42 and supplies the label 41, and the test that has been transferred by the transfer mechanism 30. A test tube rotation support mechanism 47 for rotatably supporting the tube 1 on a pair of rollers 45, 46 arranged in parallel in a horizontal plane, and this test tube rotation support mechanism 4
The label 41 is rotated by driving the test tube 1 rotatably supported by 7 in pressure contact with the adhesive surface of the label 41 supplied by the label supply mechanism 43 and rotating the test tube 1. And means for wrapping and adhering the test tube 1 on the middle abdomen of the test tube 1.

Therefore, the label 41 on the mount 42 sent to the sticking section of the label sticking machine 40 is peeled from the mount 42 by the label supply mechanism 43 and becomes ready for supply. On the other hand, the label sticking machine 40 by the transfer mechanism 30
The test tube 1 transferred to the installation position is rotatably supported on a pair of rollers 45 and 46 arranged in parallel in the same horizontal plane. Then, the test tube 1 has a label 4 whose middle abdomen is set in a state in which it can be supplied.
It is pressed against the adhesive surface of No. 1 and is rotationally driven by the rotational driving means. As a result, the label 41 is securely wrapped around the mid-abdomen of the test tube 1 and is applied in a state without variation. Thus, the label having the information peculiar to the test tube 1 can be quickly and accurately attached to the middle abdomen of the test tube 1. (5) The dispensing test tube supply device of the present embodiment is the same as the above (1).
In addition, the label sticking machine 40 includes a label issuing machine that issues a bar code label 41 specific to the test tube 1 based on the given information.

Therefore, the unique barcode label 4 based on the information given by the barcode label issuing machine 4
1 can be issued in a timely manner. Therefore, the test tube 1
On the other hand, it is possible to immediately attach the label 41 to which the desired unique information is added in accordance with the change in the status of the dispensing process. (6) The test tube supply device for dispensing according to the present embodiment has the above (1)
The test tube delivery mechanism 60, which is the device according to 1.
Is an arm 61 having a claw capable of holding the middle abdomen of the labeled test tube 1 lying on the upper surface of the test tube mounting table 70, and the posture of the arm 61 is changed to hold the arm 61. A posture changing mechanism 63 for changing the posture so that the test tube 1 can be loaded into the test tube holder 81 in the test tube transport mechanism 80.

Therefore, the middle part of the labeled test tube 1 laid on the upper surface of the test tube mounting table 70 is
Claw portion 62 of arm 61 in test tube delivery mechanism 60
Is grabbed by. Therefore, even if the thickness dimension and the material of the label 41 are quite special, the test tube 1 can be stably and reliably gripped without any trouble, as in the case of the test tube alone. The test tube 1 held by the claw portion 62 of the arm 61 is attached to the arm 61 by the posture changing mechanism 63.
The posture is changed in accordance with the change of the posture, and it can be loaded into the test tube holder 81 of the test tube transport mechanism 80. (7) The test tube supply device for dispensing according to the present embodiment has the above (6)
Test tube 1 which is the device described in 1 and has a label attached.
The table 70 on which is mounted has a groove 71 for holding the test tube 1 in a recumbent state on the upper surface of the base body, and the claw portion 62 provided at the tip of the arm 61 is inserted into both side edges of the groove 71. It has a cutout 72 provided as much as possible.

Therefore, the claw portion 62 provided on the tip of the arm 61 holds the label-attached test tube 1 placed on the test tube placement table 70, and holds the side edge of the table 70. Is inserted into the notch 72 provided in the test tube 1, and its tip reaches the lower region in the middle abdomen of the test tube 1. Therefore, the middle abdomen of the test tube 1, which is held in a recumbent state in the groove 71 provided on the upper surface of the test tube placement table 70, is almost entirely held by the claws 62 of the arm 61. Will be. Therefore, the test tube 1 is stably and reliably gripped by the arm 61, and is smoothly carried to the position of the test tube transport holder 81. (8) The sample container closure device of the present embodiment includes the following modifications.

A label with a bar code is shown as an example of the label 41 for recording specific information, but a label including a combination of simple marks may be used.

In the embodiment, an example in which an air piston / cylinder device is used as a vibration source that gives vibrations to the vibrating plates 12 and 13 and other drive sources is shown. Etc. may be used.

[0034]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, (1) a large number of test tubes which are stacked and accommodated in the hopper are installed from the opening at the lower end of the hopper.
Dispensing test tube supply device that can discharge each book accurately, (2)
It is possible to provide a test tube supply device for dispensing, which can quickly and accurately attach a label with information specific to the test tube.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a test tube supply hopper and a test tube individual take-out mechanism of a dispensing test tube supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a labeling machine of the dispensing test tube supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a test tube delivery mechanism and a test tube placement table of a dispensing test tube supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a test tube delivery mechanism and a test tube transport mechanism of a dispensing test tube supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Test tube C ... Control device 10 ... Test tube supply hopper 11 ... Lower end opening 12, 13 ... Vibration plate 20 ... Test tube individual takeout mechanism 22 ... Rotating drum 21 ... Test tube accommodation groove 30 ... Transfer mechanism 40 ... Label Laminating machine 60 ... Test tube delivery mechanism 70 ... Test tube placement table 80 ... Test tube transport mechanism

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A test tube supply hopper provided so that a plurality of test tubes, which are stacked in parallel and accommodated, can be discharged from a lower end opening, and a test tube supply hopper is installed in a lower end opening of the test tube supply hopper. The test tube individual take-out mechanism mainly formed of a rotary drum having a test tube accommodating groove on the outer periphery so that each test tube is taken out to the outside, and each test taken out by this test tube individual take-out mechanism A transfer mechanism that sequentially transfers the tubes to the label applying machine position, and a label that records information specific to the test tube to the mid-abdomen of each test tube that was sequentially transferred to the label applying machine position by this transfer mechanism. A label sticking machine for sticking, and a test tube sending-out mechanism for sending the test tube having the label stuck by the label sticking machine onto a test tube transport path for dispensing. Note for test tube supply device. 2. The test tube supply hopper is provided with rocking imparting means for rocking a plurality of test tubes housed in the hopper in a set manner. The test tube supply device for dispensing according to claim 1. 3. A label sticking machine, in which a label supply mechanism for peeling a label on a mount that has been sent from the mount and supplying the label and a test tube transferred by a transfer mechanism are arranged in parallel in a horizontal plane. A test tube rotation support mechanism rotatably supported on a pair of rollers, and an adhesive surface of the label supplied by the label feeding mechanism and the middle part of the test tube rotatably supported by the test tube rotation support mechanism. By pressing and, and by rotating the test tube, means for wrapping and adhering the label around the mid-abdomen of the test tube,
The test tube supply device for dispensing according to claim 1, further comprising: