JPS6397164A - Tube release apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention 10.Objectives of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention is directed to a state in which the surface becomes partially viscous with other parts (so-called blocking state) due to the transfer of the 0I plastic agent t9 by heating. ) regarding a device for loosening the genob. More specifically, the present invention (11) includes tube-like plastic containers such as blood bags, infusion bags, etc.
The container (hereinafter abbreviated as "container") is closed in a device that attempts to dissociate the tube portion that has become blocked due to heat sterilization.

(Prior Art) Generally, medical plastic bag containers such as blood bags and infusion bags are sterilized due to their nature and are shipped sealed in packaging containers that have also been sterilized. As the sterilization treatment, heat sterilization using heated steam, such as autoclave sterilization, which is generally free from the risk of deterioration of monthly yield, is inexpensive, and easy to operate, is often used. In this heat sterilization process, conventionally, there were no suitable trays or jigs for holding the plastic bag containers with tubes, so the bags were manually loaded one by one into the heat sterilization apparatus.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in this heat sterilization process, even if a highly heat-resistant synthetic resin is used, so-called blocking, in which overlapping portions of the container surface stick to each other, tends to occur. For this reason, it is not possible to sterilize containers in a stacked state, resulting in poor workability. Furthermore, when heat sterilization is repeated, it is necessary to remove each blocked part by hand after sterilization, which is disadvantageous in that it is time-consuming and involves the possibility of contamination.

Therefore, by stacking and placing a large number of containers on a single tray, it is possible to take them in and out of heat sterilization processing equipment, heat sterilization treatment, and transport them as they are, thereby automating the heat sterilization process and increasing efficiency. The inventors of the present invention have considered increasing the amount.

However, the base portions of tubes that branch from the same position in stacked containers tend to overlap, and if they are relatively long, they have to meander, wind, or bend on the tray due to space constraints, resulting in overlapping. I can't avoid that. For this reason, blocking of the tube part, especially the root part, is likely to occur, which makes practical automation difficult.

As part of this automation, the present invention aims to provide a device for loosening blocked tubes.

Il. Structure of the Invention (Means for Solving Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the tube disassembly device of the present invention arranges the tube distal ends of a plurality of tube-equipped containers in parallel at regular intervals. a mounting table that can be held at one end and on which container parts can be stacked and placed on the narrow end side; and a plurality of tube loosening tools that are movable parallel to each other in the axial direction while in contact with the tube; The movement of the loosening shell loosens and dissociates the plurality of tubes that are stuck to each other. Further, the tube disassembly device of the present invention is characterized in that it has a clamping tool that moves in the opposite direction to the loosening tool and grips and pulls the tip of the tube. Further, the tube disassembling device of the present invention is characterized in that the loosening tool is a chuck that can be opened and closed. Further, the tube disassembling device of the present invention is characterized in that the loosening tool is U-shaped.

(Function) Therefore, according to this tube disassembly device, if the container after heat sterilization is placed on the tray and set in the predetermined position of the loosening device, the tip side of each tube arranged in parallel at regular intervals can be removed. By mutual parallel movement of the plurality of loosening tools surrounding the tube in the direction of the base of the tube, the tubes are arranged parallel to each other at a constant interval, and the tubes in the blocking state are dissociated one by one.

(Example) Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail based on an example shown in the drawings.

-5= The tube disassembling device of the present invention has two wires 1 to 2 for placing and fixing the container 1 in preparation for heat sterilization, and a plurality of loosening tools 4 that move parallel to each other, and the loosening tools 4 are as described above. and a tube disassembling device 3 that holds the tray 2 in a positional relationship so as to move along the tray 2, and loosens the blocked tube portion 1B after heat sterilization by moving a loosening tool 4.

The tube disassembly device 3 mainly consists of a pedestal 5, a plurality of loosening tools 4 supported by the pedestal and moved linearly in the horizontal direction, and a clamping tool 6 that grips the tube tip side and applies a slight tension to the tube portion 1B. It is composed of

The pedestal 5 mounts the loosening tool 4, the clamp tool 6, and their drive mechanism, and supports the loosening shell 4, the clamp tool 6, and the tray 2 on which the container 1 is placed so that they maintain a constant positional relationship. In order to form a movement path for the loosening tool 4 and the clamping tool 6, a plurality of mouth-shaped vertical frames 5A arranged at regular intervals are connected by a plurality of horizontal frames 5B. The tray holder 5C of the pedestal 5 has a seat portion that supports the tray 2 at a constant height, and a tray 2 that supports the tray 2 at a constant height in order to arrange the tray 2 in a positional relationship in which the above-mentioned loosening tool 4 and clamp tool 6 move in parallel along the tray 2. side portions for positioning in the front, rear, right and left directions of the tray 2 at positions corresponding to at least the corner portions of the tray 2, and are provided so that the tray 2 can be automatically positioned by being placed so as to be fitted thereinto. .

The loosening tool 4 includes a large number of chucks 7 surrounding the tube portion 1B of the container 1, a plate 8 that supports the chucks 7, a fluid pressure cylinder 9 that supports the plate 8 in a movable manner, and a hydraulic cylinder 9 that supports the cylinder 9. Slide block 10
It consists of a guide rod 11 that slidably supports this slide block 10 in the axial direction of the tube 1B and attaches it to the pedestal 5, and a fluid pressure cylinder 12 that moves the slide block 10 toward the bag container portion 1A, After surrounding the tube 1B with the chuck 7, it is provided so that the entire tube 1B can be horizontally moved in the axial direction in that state. As shown in FIG. 3, the chuck 7 has a recess 13 that forms a circular hole slightly larger than the diameter of the tube 1B in the mating surface in the closed state, and opens and closes around the pin 14.

The chuck 7 is opened and closed using a well-known method (not shown), for example, by using a matching rack and pinion gear (2) or a link (2) to convert the movement of a fluid pressure cylinder (not shown) into rotation and transmit the rotation. It is done. In this embodiment, the loosening tool 4 is driven by moving the slide block 10 sliding on the guide rod 11 forward or backward by the fluid pressure cylinder 12, but the drive is not limited to this. Instead, it is also possible to use a feeding mechanism using a screwdriver rod instead.

The operation of this loosening tool is usually stopped by installing it at both stroke ends of the fluid pressure cylinder 12 or by operating a switch (not shown). In addition, slide block 10
is supported by a guide rod 11 fixed to the pedestal 5, and when closed, connects the piston rod of a hydraulic cylinder 12 fixed to the pedestal 5, and slides along the guide rod 11 by the operation of the cylinder 12.

Similar to the loosening tool 4 described above, the clamp tool 6 includes a large number of chucks 15 surrounding the tube portion 1B, a plate 16 that supports the chucks 15, a fluid pressure cylinder 17 that supports the chucks 15 so as to be movable up and down, and the cylinders 17. Fluid pressure that moves the supporting slide block 18, the guide rod 11 that movably supports the slide block 18 (directed in the axial direction of the tube 1B) and is attached to the frame 5, and the slide block 18 toward the tube tip side. cylinder 20
The tube 1B is surrounded by a chuck 15, and the entire tube 1B is movable horizontally in the axial direction of the tube 1B. This clamping tool 6 differs from the above-described loosening tool 4 in that it moves in the opposite direction and acts to pull the tube 1B by applying an extremely weak tension. Therefore, in principle, the clamping tool 6 is a type of chuck that can lightly clamp the tube 1B, but in this embodiment, it detects the presence or absence of the blood sampling needle 1C attached to the tip of the tube 1B. A chuck with a hole slightly larger than the tube 1B, like that of the loosening tool 4, is used because it also serves as a loading capacity. In this case, since the chuck 15 comes into contact with the flange portion 1D at the boundary between the blood collection needle 1C and the tube 1B, and the tube 1B is prevented from being handled, when the chuck 15 stops moving when the tube 1B is tense. It can be determined that the blood collection needle 1C is present, and when the chuck 15 reaches the stroke end of the fluid pressure cylinder 20, it can be determined that the blood collection needle 1C is not present. Therefore, a limit switch (not shown) is provided near the stroke end of the fluid pressure cylinder 20 to notify this.

A push plate 21 is provided on the depth side of the pedestal (upper right side in Figure 1) to press the bag container portion 1A of the container 1 and to effectively comb the tube 1B. 2
1 are attached to the screw rods of the hydraulic cylinder 2/l installed downward on the support plate 23, and suspended from the vertical frame 5Δ of the pedestal 5 via the rod 22,
It is provided so that it can be moved up and down by the operation of a fluid pressure cylinder 24.

In addition, the tray 2 includes a floor part 2A that mainly supports the container part 1A of the container 1, a clamp part 2B that fixes the tip side of the tube part 1B, and a clamp part 2B that surrounds these parts so that it can be stacked with other members. The frame portion 2C and container portion IAk
: Blocking resistant plate 2D that can be covered with one layer.
It consists of

The floor 2A is made of a breathable material or structure so as not to block the heating sterilization atmosphere, and in this embodiment, stainless steel punched metal is used to allow the flow of heated steam. Moreover, this floor part 2A has a structure in which two protrusions 2E are provided at appropriate intervals so that the tube 1B is suspended in the middle. Of course, although not shown, it is also possible to form the entire floor portion 2A into a corrugated shape or a myriad of uneven shapes to prevent the tube portion 1B and the container portion 1A from coming into close contact with each other. still,
It is sufficient that the floor portion 2A exists at least within a range on which the container portion 1A is placed, and it is preferable that the tube portion 1B also be supported as in this embodiment.

The clamp portion 2B circumferentially circumferentially surrounds the tube end and prevents the tube portion 1B from tangling, and in this embodiment, a substantially U-shaped notch is adopted. This notch connects at least all the tubes 1 of the container 1 placed on the tray 2.
A sufficient quantity is provided to fix the tip of B. In the case of this embodiment, the clamp part 2B is made by arranging two plates in which a large number of U-shaped notches are provided at regular intervals on a receiving plate 2F on which the bare needle part 1C at the tip of the tube is placed. Chuck 7.1 of the part loosening shell 4 and clamping tool 6
It is designed so that it can be suspended in the air and stretched to make it easier to hold. In addition, as the clamp part 2B, the above-mentioned notch hole, a clip using a leaf spring, etc., a hook,
Tightening [No-band etc. can also be used.

The frame 2C has a peripheral wall structure surrounding the floor 2A in order to form an internal space in which the containers 1 can be stored in several stacked layers and to enable stacking with other members.

A handle piece 2G is provided on a side portion of the frame 2C so as to protrude laterally in order to facilitate transportation and stacking of the tray 2. Note that the receiving plate 2F and the two plates forming the clamp portion 2B consisting of a notch constitute a part of the frame 2C.

The anti-blocking plate 2D is inserted between the container portions 1A of the containers 1 stacked on the floor 2A to prevent the containers 1A from directly touching each other, and is at least the same as or greater than the container portion 1A. It is made of anti-blocking material that has a large area and is not sticky to the container material. Anti-blocking materials include materials that do not show stickiness to plastic containers under heat and/or pressure, metals, ceramics and heat-resistant plastics, preferably metals or ceramics, most preferably stable under superheated steam. A corrosion-resistant metal such as stainless steel is used.

For example, in the case of this embodiment, the plate is made of a long stainless steel punched metal plate on which a large number of containers 1 can be placed or covered at once, and each container 1 is partitioned from the adjacent container 1 by another anti-blocking plate 2D. Alternatively, a partition 2 for forming a gap between the floor portion 2A and the container portion 1A to accommodate the container portion 1A.
I-1 or C is installed.

At least one side end, preferably both sides, of this anti-blocking plate 2D is provided with a tongue-like piece 2I that slightly protrudes outside the i-lay frame 2C, and the tongue-like piece 2I is driven by a drive (not shown). By lifting the blocking resistant plate 2D by a means, the blocking resistant plate 2D is raised to make it easier to take in and out the container 1.
D is freely attached to the tray via a hinge 2Ja5 or a ring (not shown).

This anti-blocking plate 20 only needs to have approximately the same area as at least one container portion 1A. In this case, eight anti-blocking plates 2D are each independently attached to the tray so that they can be opened and closed individually. It should be installed so that it can be moved. In this example, stainless steel punched metal is used as the blocking-resistant plate 2D, which is stable against heated steam and does not impede its flow, but it is not limited to this, and other materials may also be used. It is possible to use heat-resistant materials, preferably heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant materials.

Although the above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, although the loosening tool 4 of this embodiment uses a chuck 7 that can be opened and closed, any shape or structure can be used as long as it can surround the tube 1B and separate it from other tubes. , a simple U-shaped fork-end rod may be used.

Further, the loosening rod 4 may surround the tube part 2B while keeping the container 1 fixed on the tray 2 to loosen it and move, or the tip of the tube may be securely fixed with a fixed lamp rod that does not move. You can do it like this.

When the lever 1 solution H1 device constructed in this manner is used, the blocking state of the dicove can be loosened as follows.

First, heat sterilization of the container 1 will be described prior to the tube disassembly operation. Blocking resistant roots 2D on tray 2
The large container part 1A is made into three layers with a total of 18
The containers 1 are stacked and the tips of the tube portions 1B are attached to the clamp portions 2B at different locations, respectively. In this way, a large number of trays 2 on which a large number of containers 1 are placed are prepared, and each tray 2 is inserted into a heat sterilization processing apparatus (not shown) and stacked, and heat sterilized at once. After the sterilization process, the tray 2 is taken out from the sterilization apparatus by a known or novel conveying means (not shown) and placed on the pedestal 5 of the tube disassembly 3.

The tray 2 is installed so that the distal end side of the tube 1B is located on the front side of the tube disassembly 3 (on the left side in FIG. 1), and the tray 2 is fitted into the pedestal 5. Thereafter, the push plate 21 is lowered to hold down the container portion 1△.Then, the clamp tool 6
The loosening tool 4 is lowered by operating the fluid pressure cylinders 9 and 17, and the tip of the tube 1B stretched over the tray 2 is gripped by the chuck 7.15. Thereafter, the chuck 7.15 is raised by driving the hydraulic cylinders 9, 17, and the tube portion 1B is lifted. Then, the loosening tool 4 is moved toward the container 1A side, and the clamping tool 6 is moved toward the blood collection needle 1C side at the tip of the tube, respectively, by the operation of the fluid pressure cylinders 12 and 20. By moving the clamp tool 6, if there is a blood sampling needle 1C at the tip of the tube, it comes into contact with the flange 1D of the blood sampling needle 1C and pulls the tube 1B with a slight force, making it easy to loosen the slack tube 1B by stretching. state. At this time, if there is no component to be attached to the tip of the tube, such as the blood sampling needle 1C, or if the blood sampling needle 1C is not present,
If the tube 1B is not firmly fixed, the tip of the tube will slip off the moving chuck 15 and the tube 1B will fall, so the tube 1B will not be pulled and will sag and cannot be removed. This abnormal condition was originally caused by tube 1B.
When the movement of the fluid pressure cylinder 20 (which stops moving beyond the stop position until the end of the stroke) is activated, the limits 1 to 1 switches provided there are activated to obtain information regarding the presence or absence of defective products. Detected. On the other hand, as the loosening member 4 moves, the tubes are arranged in parallel with each other at a constant interval, and the blocked tubes are loosened and separated one by one. After the blocking tube part is loosened, chuck 7.
15 to release the tube 1B and return it to its original position in preparation for the next operation.

After that, press the press plate 21 up and down the containers 1 to 1 to 2 with a V.
is carried out to the next process. For example, after the container portion 1Δ is sucked and raised using a vacuum cup (not shown) and peeled off from the anti-blocking film plate 2θ, the end of the container 1Δ is gripped by a clamp (not shown), and the subsequent packaging step is performed. It is transported to the destination using a transport means (not shown). In addition, the container below is made of anti-blocking material that covers the container portion 1A by pushing up the two tongue-like pieces on both sides of the anti-blocking plate 2D protruding from the tray 2 with a fluid pressure cylinder and turning them around the hinge. Peel off plate 2D. Then, according to the above-described procedure, the container portion 1A is held and carried out to the packaging process. In order to increase work efficiency, it is preferable to carry out this carrying out work by suctioning and gripping large containers on one or more lays at once.

Incidentally, when the tube portion 1B is relatively short and does not protrude from the tray 2 much, the loosening operation is continued with the tube tip fixed to the tray 2. Further, the tip of the tube may be fixed by making the hole shape of the chuck of the clamp mechanism smaller so that the tip of the tube is gripped and stopped at that position.

Hl, Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above explanation, the tube disassembly device of the present invention arranges the tube tip ends of a plurality of tube-equipped containers in parallel at regular intervals and holds them at one end, while holding the tube distal ends of a plurality of tube-equipped containers at one end. It is equipped with a mounting table on which container parts can be stacked and placed on the end side, and a plurality of tube loosening shells that can be moved parallel to each other in the axial direction while in contact with the tube, and by moving the loosening tool, Since multiple sticky tubes are loosened and dissociated, if the container after heat sterilization is placed on the tray and set in the predetermined position of the loosening device, each tube placed in parallel at a fixed interval (13) When the multiple loosening tools surrounding the distal end are moved toward the base of the tubes, the tubes are placed parallel to each other with a certain interval between them, so it is possible to separate the tubes in a blocking state one by one. dissociated.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the tube disassembly and one-heading according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a right side view, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a front view of a chuck for loosening shellfish, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of rays 1 to 1. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Container, 1A... Container part, 1B... Tube part, 2... Tray, 3... Tube disassembly, 4... Loosening tool, 5... Frame, 7...
・Chuck forming the loosening tool, 9...Fluid pressure cylinder forming the loosening tool, 10.11...Slide block and guide rod forming the loosening tool, 12...Fluid pressure cylinder forming the loosening depth .

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A mounting table that can hold the tube tips of a plurality of containers with tubes arranged in parallel at regular intervals at one end, and stack the container portions on the other end;
A tube comprising a plurality of tube loosening tools movable in parallel to each other in the axial direction while in contact with the tube, and moving the tube loosening tools to loosen and dissociate the plurality of tubes that have adhered to each other. Dissociation device. (2) The tube disassembling device according to claim 1, wherein the tube disassembling device has a clamping tool that moves in the opposite direction to the loosening tool and grips and pulls the tip of the tube. (3) The tube disassembly device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the loosening tool is a chuck that can be opened and closed. (4) The tube disassembly device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the loosening tool is U-shaped.