KR101249649B1 - Label printing systems for micro test tube - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A label printing system for a micro test tube is provided to automate a label printing process of a test tube using a flat type inkjet printer and to efficiently print a label of a predetermined shape on surfaces of the test tubes. CONSTITUTION: A label printing system for a micro test tube comprises a support box(110), a movable plate(102), a head unit(120), an operation unit(130), a flat type printer(100), and a data processing member. The support box is fixed to the top surface of the movable plate. The head unit prints a label by jetting ink to the test tube simultaneously with linear movement. The operation unit moves the support box to a printing position of the head unit by lifting and moving forward the movable plate. The flat type printer includes a control unit controlling the head unit and the operation unit. The data processing member receives label data to be printed on the test tube and provides data signals processed through a predetermined process to the flat type printer.

Description

Label printing system for micro test tube {LABEL PRINTING SYSTEMS FOR MICRO TEST TUBE}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a micro test tube, and more particularly, to a micro test tube that can print a label on a surface of a plurality of micro test tubes by using an ink jet printing technology. A label printing system, a holder and a label printing method for a test tube.

Micro test tubes, also called 'e-tubes' (hereinafter, referred to as 'test tubes') are experimental materials widely used in laboratories in the medical and biotechnology fields as shown in FIG. 1.

Such a test tube is a container for temporarily storing a test solution, blood or cells, etc., and is a one-time consumable. The test tube has a capacity of about 0.5 ~ 3.0ml as shown in Figure 1, it is manufactured in a form that can be sealed inside with a stopper at the top. And test tubes are typically made of heat-resistant materials, such as polycarbonate, to prevent breakage from rapid heating and cooling.

On the other hand, the lab will display a label corresponding to the name tag to identify each test tube. In this case, it is common to attach a label in the form of a sticker to each test tube and display it in handwriting. This conventional labeling method has a very inefficient problem when a large number of test tubes are used because of the cumbersome manual work. In addition, the operator's mistake is likely to be involved in the labeling process, which reduces the reliability of the experiment.

Therefore, it is necessary to introduce a printing technique for directly outputting a label on the surface of the test tube as a way to solve the problems of the prior art. In this case, as a technique for printing a label, there is a transfer paper or a screen printing method. However, these technologies have additional problems such as complicated heating and high cost due to the additional heating process.

As a means for solving the problems of the prior art, it is necessary to introduce a printing technique for directly outputting a label on the surface of a test tube using an ink jet printer.

On the other hand, the inkjet printer according to the prior art is mainly used a flatbed printer that can form a variety of patterns on the surface of the object while the head portion is sliding in a linear direction. Such a flatbed printer is suitable for outputting a single pattern to a plurality of objects, but has a problem in that it is difficult to output different types of label data for each of a plurality of test tubes.

In addition, unlike a general printing paper, because the length or thickness of each test tube is different, the head of the printer is likely to collide with the test tube, which causes a problem that the printer or the test tube is easily damaged.

Furthermore, when a label of different contents is simultaneously printed on a plurality of test tubes using a conventional flatbed printer, it is not easy to understand when the test tube is removed without a test tube mounted due to an operator's mistake. There is a problem that causes serious errors.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to introduce a printing technology of the ink injection method label printing system for a micro test tube that can quickly and efficiently output the label on the surface of a plurality of test tubes , Cradles and labels.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a label printing system and a label for a reliable micro test tube that can not only provide stability preventing damage to the printing device and the test tube, but also prevent the printing process from being properly performed due to an operator's mistake. It is to provide a printing method.

According to an aspect of the present invention,

A mounting plate on which a plurality of test tubes are mounted, a movable plate on which the mounting box is fixed, an head portion for printing a predetermined label by spraying ink on the test tube simultaneously with linear movement, and elevating the movable plate And a flat panel printer including a driving unit for moving the cradle to a printing position of the head unit by moving forward, and a control unit for controlling the head unit and the driving unit. And data processing means for inputting label data to be printed on the test tube, and providing the processed data signal to the flatbed printer through a predetermined procedure.

And, the holder is formed a plurality of insertion holes at regular intervals for inserting and fixing the test tube.

In this case, it is preferable that the holder has a structure fixed to the insertion hole in the state in which the plurality of test tubes are erected or laid so that the label is printed on any one of a stopper and an outer circumferential surface of the test tube. In addition, it is more preferable that the first sensor further detects whether the test tube is inserted into the plurality of insertion holes.

And, the movable plate is configured to be advanceable by a drive screw on the upper surface of the base plate to be elevated by the lifting screw.

At this time, the movable plate is preferably provided with a fixing jig for detaching the mounting box.

The head sensor or the movable plate may further include a second sensor which senses a gap between the cradle and the head unit and transmits a detection signal to the controller.

The data processing means includes a label data loading module, a data analysis module for analyzing attributes of the loaded label data, a preview module for previewing a label shape output through the analyzed information, and the analyzed information. It includes a data reconstruction module for converting the data into a form of a form easily output by the flatbed printer and a communication module for transmitting the data received from the data reconstruction module to the flatbed printer.

In addition, in the mounting for fixing the test tube for printing the label as another category, the test tube is provided with a plurality of insertion holes formed at regular intervals so as to be fixed in the standing or lying down state of the plurality of test tubes There is provided a cradle for a micro test tube, characterized in that the label is printed on one of the stopper and the outer peripheral surface of the.

As another category, the object of the present invention as described above,

Mounting a plurality of test tubes 10 in the mounting (110) (S110); Receiving label data to be output by the data processing means (S120); Loading the label data through a label data dedicated program (S130); Receiving the type and output position of the test tube 10 and converting the data signal into a data signal corresponding to the label data to be output (S140); Transmitting the data signal to the flatbed printer 100 (S160); Receiving, by the flatbed printer (100), the data signal through a communication unit (150) (S170); Generating, by the control unit 140 of the flatbed printer 100, a control signal (S180); Controlling the driving unit 130 and the head unit 120 through the control signal (S190); It can also be achieved by a label printing method for a micro test tube, including; and outputting a label to the test tube (10) (S220).

At this time, after receiving the type and the output position of the test tube (S140) determines whether the output range of the test tube 10, the label data when the output range of the test tube 10 is not It is preferable to further include a step (S150) to move to the step of receiving the input (S120).

In addition, after controlling the driving unit and the head unit through the control signal (S190), it is determined whether there is no object contact with the head unit, and if there is an object contact with the head unit 120, receiving a re-drive signal in the standby state. The method may further include moving to 230 (S200).

Further, it may further comprise the step (S210) of determining whether there is a test tube at the output position, and if there is no test tube 10 at the output position to move to step (S240) of receiving a re-drive signal in the standby state. .

As described above, the label printing system, holder and label printing method for a micro test tube according to the present invention has the following effects.

(1) The present invention has the advantage that it is possible to automate the label printing process of the test tube using a flatbed inkjet printer. In particular, it is possible to quickly and efficiently output labels of a predetermined shape on a plurality of test tube surfaces.

(2) The present invention can accurately detect whether or not the test tube is mounted on the cradle and the possibility of collision with the head, thereby preventing damage to the printer and the test tube.

(3) The label printing method of the present invention has an advantage of easily inputting label data through a familiar Excel program. Then, the type of test tube and the surface to be output can be selected. In addition, by previewing the output result through the preview function, it is possible to provide convenience of use and prevent the printing process from being properly performed by an operator's mistake, thereby providing a reliable label printing system and a label printing method.

1 is a view showing a general micro test tube,
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main configuration of a label printing system for a micro test tube according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a flatbed printer according to an embodiment of the present invention,
4 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the movable plate and the holder are omitted from FIG. 3,
5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of FIG. 3,
6 is a view showing an example of the cradle according to the invention,
7 is a view showing an interface of the data processing means according to an embodiment of the present invention,
8 is a flowchart illustrating a label printing method for a micro test tube according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same reference numerals will be used as much as possible even though they are shown in different drawings.

(Configuration of Label Printing System for Micro Test Tube)

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main configuration of a label printing system for a micro test tube according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a flatbed printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the movable plate and the holder are omitted, and FIG. 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of FIG. 3.

Label printing system according to the present invention is largely composed of a flatbed printer 100 and the data processing means 200 as shown in FIG.

The flatbed printer 100 is for printing a label of a predetermined shape directly on the test tube 10 by using inkjet printing, and is mounted as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. The plate 101, the movable plate 102, the head unit 120, the driving unit 130, the control unit 140, and the communication unit 150 are configured to be included.

6 is a view showing an example of the cradle according to the present invention. The holder 110 has a flat plate shape having a predetermined height as shown in FIG. 6, and a plurality of insertion holes 112 for inserting and fixing the test tube 10 are arranged at regular intervals.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the label is output on the top of the stopper of the test tube 10 by mounting the plurality of test tubes 10 in the mounting box 110.

On the other hand, although not shown in the drawings, a structure for forming the insertion hole 112 in the horizontal shape of the test tube 10 in the holder 110 to print the label on the outer peripheral surface of the test tube 10 It can be produced as. According to this, the test tube 10 can be fixed while being laid on the holder 110 (arranged in a horizontal direction).

Meanwhile, the mounting box 110 in which the test tube 10 is mounted is fixed to the movable plate 102 of the flatbed printer 100 as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. At this time, the movable plate 102 is preferably provided with a fixing jig (not shown) that can be conveniently attached and detached in a state where the fixing box 110 is firmly fixed. That is, the fixing jig can prevent the movement of the test tube 10 and the holder 110 to prevent the print quality from deteriorating.

The head part 120 is positioned above the flatbed printer 100 as shown in FIG. 3 and serves to print a label by spraying ink onto the test tube simultaneously with the linear motion. Specifically, the head portion 120 is configured to enable a linear reciprocating motion of the injection nozzle (not shown, etc., provided with a movable body 121 is provided on the guide rail 122, as shown in Figure 3. At this time, the movable body 121 The linear reciprocating motion of) can be moved by the rotational force of the motor (not shown).

Since the head portion 120 has a general structure of a conventional flatbed printer, other detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The driving unit 130 serves to move the test tube 10 to the printing position of the head unit 120 and return to the original position by elevating or advancing the movable plate 102 on which the mounting box 110 is mounted. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the movable plate 102 is capable of being advanced by driving the driving screw 132 on the upper surface of the base plate 101. The base plate 101 is capable of lifting and lowering by a pair of lifting screws 134.

At this time, when the movable plate 102 moves in accordance with the movement of the drive screw 132, the linear shaft 133 is provided on both sides of the drive screw 132 to prevent the movable plate 102 from sagging. In addition, the driving screw 132 has a structure in which rotational force is transmitted by a geared motor (not shown), a pulley, a belt, or the like.

The controller 140 is provided with a driving board to control the head unit 120 and the driving unit 130 described above.

On the other hand, the flat panel printer according to the present invention is a movable body of the head portion 120 is described above is a first sensor (not shown) that can detect whether the test tube 10 is fitted into the plurality of insertion holes 112 It is preferably provided at 121 and connected to the control unit 140. In this case, the first sensor may include a photo sensor, an infrared sensor, and the like having a light emitting part and a light receiving part. By using the first sensor to quickly find an error due to an operator's mistake, the printing process may be prevented from being properly performed.

In addition, it is possible to simplify the installation structure using the image sensor. For example, the unmounted state of the test tube 10 may be detected by comparing the image image captured by the image sensor with the comparison image image of the state in which the test tube 10 is mounted on the holder 110. The image around the insertion hole 10 in which the test tube 10 is not inserted may be different from the image around the insertion hole 10 in which the test tube 10 is inserted, and the brightness, color, or RGB values thereof are compared. It can be seen whether the test tube 10 is fitted.

In addition, the flatbed printer according to the present invention is provided with a second sensor (not shown) which detects a gap between the cradle 110 and the head 120 and transmits a detection signal to the controller 140. In this case, the second sensor may be a limit switch, a photo sensor, an infrared sensor, and the like, and may be located on the movable body 121 or the movable plate 102 of the head 120. Such a second sensor can prevent damage to the flatbed printer 100 and the test tube 10.

The communication unit 150 is connected to the data processing means 200 by a wired or wireless communication network to perform data transmission and reception.

7 is a diagram illustrating an interface of data processing means according to an embodiment of the present invention. The data processing means 200 is loaded with label data to be printed on the test tube 10, and serves to provide the above-described flat panel printer 100 with a data signal processed through a predetermined procedure. As shown in FIG. 2, the data processing means 200 includes a label data loading module 210, a data analysis module 220, a preview module 230, a data reconstruction module 240, and a communication module 250. do.

The label data loading module 210 delivers the Excel file in which the label is written by the user to the data processing means 200. The label printing system for a micro test tube according to an embodiment of the present invention receives label data in an Excel file format, but includes header information, font attribute (size, color, font, etc.) information included in a predetermined Excel file. If the label data is formatted, other file formats such as text files and PDFs can be used.

The data analysis module 220 receives the data of the Excel file in which the label is created by the user from the label data loading module 210, checks the version of the Excel program using header information included in the Excel file, and checks the font. Attribute (size, color, font, etc.) information is analyzed and transmitted to the preview module 230.

The preview module 230 provides a function for the user to correct when there is an error by showing the label shape output through the information analyzed by the data analysis module 220 in the preview window.

The data reconstruction module 240 may convert the information analyzed by the data analysis module 220 into data of a form easily output by the flat panel printer 100 and transmit the data to the communication module 250. At this time, the type of data that is easily output is transmitted in the form of PDF or image file.

The communication module 250 transmits the data received from the data reconstruction module 240 to the communication unit 150 of the flat panel printer 100 through the USB communication of the PC. In addition, the label printing system according to the present invention is based on USB communication, it is also possible to locate and share a separate host that can be hosted outside the flatbed printer 100 to transmit and receive data through a wireless communication network.

(Label Printing Method)

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described a label printing method and effect for the micro test tube according to the present invention.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a label printing method for a micro test tube according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the label printing method according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8, first, the test tube 10 desired to be printed on the label 110 is mounted on the required number 110, and then the movable plate 102 of the flatbed printer 100 is used. It is fixed to (S110). At this time, by firmly fixing the holder 11 using a fixing jig (not shown) to prevent the print quality from being lowered.

Next, the data processing means 200 receives the contents of the label desired to be output through the Excel according to a predetermined format (S120).

Next, the data processing means 200 loads the Excel file into which the label data to be output is input through a dedicated program (S130).

Next, the data processing means 200 receives the selection of the type and output position (plug or outer peripheral surface) of the test tube 10 mounted on the holder 110 (S140).

Next, the data processing means 200 determines whether there is an error in the content of the label and whether the content of the label does not deviate from the output position of the test tube 10 (S150). At this time, if there is an error in the contents of the label or out of the output position of the test tube 10, the data processing means 200 is terminated, and the Excel file whose contents have been edited by the user is reloaded by the data processing means 200. do. In this case, the data processing means 200 may display the content to be printed by the user through the preview screen.

Next, the data processing means 200 transmits the label data to be output to the flatbed printer 100 (S160). In this case, the data to be transmitted is based on the PDF format and can be transmitted in the form of other image files.

Next, the flatbed printer 100 receives the data transmitted from the data processing means 200 through the communication unit 150 (S170).

Next, the flatbed printer 100 generates a control signal that the data to be output through the control unit 140 has been received (S180). In this case, the control signal is transmitted to the driving unit 130 and the head unit 120, and the data to be output is transmitted to the head unit 120.

Next, the driving unit 130 and the head unit 120 is controlled through a control signal received from the control unit 140 (S190). At this time, the driver 130 receiving the control signal places the movable plate 102 on the output head of the head unit 120, and the head unit 120 tests the first output target of the mounting head 110. Move to the position of the tube.

Next, the sensor detects whether an object comes into contact with the head 120 (S200). In this case, when an object in contact with the head unit 120 is detected, a detection signal is sent to the control unit 140 to suspend the operation of the driving unit 130 and the head unit 120, and the data processing unit 200 through the communication unit 150. ) Enters the standby state waiting for the user's judgment and action by transmitting the detection signal.

Next, the sensor detects whether the test tube 10 is present at the output position (S210). At this time, if it is detected that there is no test tube 10 in the output position to send a signal to the control unit 140 to suspend the operation of the drive unit 130 and the head unit 120, the empty mounting 110 of the empty by the user After mounting the test tube in the position, the sensor recognizes the object as detectable by a finger or other sensor, and the operation continues from the paused position.

Finally, the label is output to each test tube 10 mounted on the holder 110 (S220).

The label printing method for a micro test tube according to the present invention is performed while the movable plate 102 of the flatbed printer 100 moves to an output head (spray nozzle) position of the head 120 or during label output. The second sensor (not shown) may be detected when the mounting box 110 or the test tube 10 and other objects may touch the output head. In order to prevent damage to the flatbed printer 100 and the object, a detection signal for automatically stopping output is sent to the controller 140 to stop driving and enter a standby state. In the dedicated program of the data processing means 200, Receive this situation and activate button to restart. By using the button that can be restarted may receive a re-drive signal from the user (S230).

At this time, if the object that can reach the output head is not completely removed, the second sensor continuously sends a detection signal, and the restart button is not activated in the dedicated program of the data processing means 200, the object and the output head ( It is possible to prevent the collision of the injection nozzle).

On the other hand, the first sensor (not shown) for detecting whether the separate test tube 10 is attached to the fixed portion of the output head is attached, when the test tube 10 is not mounted or accidentally missed a certain section by mistake. In addition, the label may be output only in a position where the test tube 10 is mounted and the output of the test tube 10 is skipped when the test tube is not mounted or waits in the section where the test tube is not mounted.

The above process can be selectively performed by the user in a dedicated program of the data processing means. At this time, when it is detected that the insertion hole 112 at a specific position of the mounting 110 by the sensor for detecting whether the test tube 10 is mounted, by sending a signal to the control unit 140 to wait in the empty position The operation of the driving unit 130 is automatically stopped so as to enter the state.

In addition, when the test tube is mounted in the insertion hole 112, it is possible to receive a re-drive signal from the user by using a button that can be restarted (S240).

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various other modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Are all within the scope of the appended claims.

10: test tube
100: flatbed printer
101: base plate
102: movable plate
110: holder
112: insertion hole
120: head
121: movable body
122: guide rail
130: drive unit
132: drive screw
133: linear shaft
134: lifting screw
140:
150:
200: data processing means
210: label data loading module
220: data analysis module
230: Preview Module
240: data reconstruction module
250: communication module

Claims (13)

A cradle 110 in which a plurality of test tubes 10 are mounted,
The movable plate 102 is fixed to the mounting box 110, the upper surface;
A head unit 120 for printing a predetermined label by spraying ink onto the test tube 10 simultaneously with a linear motion;
A driving unit 130 for moving the mounting plate 102 to the printing position of the head unit 120 by raising and lowering the movable plate 102;
A flatbed printer (100) having a control unit (140) for controlling the head unit (120) and the driving unit (130); And
Label data for a micro test tube, including; the data to be printed on the test tube 10 is input, the data processing means 200 for providing a data signal processed through a predetermined procedure to the flatbed printer 100 system. The method of claim 1,
The holder 110 is a label printing system for a micro test tube, characterized in that a plurality of insertion holes 112 are formed at regular intervals for fixing the test tube (10). The method of claim 2,
The holder 110 is a structure that the label is fixed to the insertion hole 112 in the state in which the plurality of test tubes 10 upright or lying down so as to be printed on any one of the stopper and the outer peripheral surface of the test tube 10 Label printing system for a micro test tube, characterized in that it has a. The method of claim 3,
Label test system for a micro test tube, characterized in that the head portion 120 is further provided with a first sensor for detecting whether the test tube (10) is inserted into the plurality of insertion holes (112). The method of claim 1,
The movable plate (102) is a label printing system for a micro test tube, characterized in that configured to be advanced by the drive screw (132) on the upper surface of the base plate 101 is elevated by the lifting screw (134). The method of claim 5,
The movable plate (102) is a label printing system for a micro test tube, characterized in that the jig further comprises a fixing jig detachable to the holder (110). The method of claim 1,
A second sensor for detecting a gap between the cradle 110 and the head unit 120 and transmitting a detection signal to the control unit 140 is further provided in the head unit 120 or the movable plate 102. Label printing system for a micro test tube, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, wherein the data processing means 200
A label data loading module 210,
A data analysis module 220 for analyzing the property of the loaded label data;
A preview module 230 for previewing a label shape output through the analyzed information;
A data reconstruction module 240 for converting the analyzed information into a data signal of a form easily output by the flat panel printer 100;
Label printing system for a micro test tube, characterized in that it comprises a communication module (250) for transmitting the data signal received from the data reconstruction module (240) to the flatbed printer (100). delete delete delete delete delete

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