Vacuum collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit and vacuum collection tube manufacturing method using the same

KR103019778B1Active Publication Date: 2026-09-16PLANNING SUN CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
KR1020240021381
Authority / Receiving Office
KR · KR
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-04-11
Filing Date
2024-02-14
Publication Date
2026-09-16
Estimated Expiration
2044-02-14

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit. More specifically, the apparatus is characterized by including: a loader unit configured to load a tube; a transfer unit that places the tube loaded by the loader unit onto a tray and transfers it; a pretreatment unit that performs a pretreatment process on the tube; a gel filling unit configured to fill a gel into the tube pretreated by the pretreatment unit; a spraying unit that sprays a reagent onto the tube (10) filled with gel by the gel filling unit; a drying unit that sprays air onto the tube sprayed with the reagent by the spraying unit to evaporate the distilled water contained in the reagent; a mounting unit that mounts a cap on the upper part of the tube from which the moisture of the reagent has evaporated by the drying unit; an unloader unit configured to unload the tube with the cap mounted by the mounting unit; and a control unit configured to control the loader unit, the transfer unit, the pretreatment unit, the gel filling unit, the spraying unit, the drying unit, the mounting unit, and the unloader unit. According to the present invention, a series of processes in which a tube loaded through a loader is transported by a transporter and manufactured into a vacuum blood collection tube by passing through a pretreatment section, a post-processing section, a degassing section, a mounting section, and an unloader section is controlled by a control section and can be carried out sequentially.
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Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit and a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing method using the same.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit and a method for manufacturing a vacuum blood collection tube using the same, wherein a series of processes in which a tube loaded through a loader unit is transported by a transport unit and manufactured into a vacuum blood collection tube by passing through a pretreatment unit, a post-processing unit, a degassing unit, a mounting unit, and an unloader unit is controlled by a control unit and carried out sequentially. Background Technology

[0003] As interest in health increases and health screening technology advances rapidly, a wide range of blood tests, including serum biochemical tests, serum immunological tests, and blood cell tests, are contributing significantly to the prevention of diseases and early diagnosis.

[0004] Regardless of the subject or type of test, these blood tests involve collecting a certain amount of blood and keeping it in a designated container during the processes of storage, transportation, and processing.

[0005] The most common container used at this time is a blood collection tube, and a portion of this tube is provided as a vacuum blood collection tube by creating a vacuum inside, thereby allowing blood to be easily drawn into the container during the blood collection process.

[0006] These blood collection tubes come in various types depending on their use and size, but generally consist of a tube with an open top and a cap that is inserted into or placed over the opening of the tube to seal the inside of the tube, and the inside of the tube is filled with a liquid filler such as a gel and a reagent that prevents or promotes blood coagulation.

[0007] In the process of filling the inside of the vacuum blood collection tube with liquid fillers such as gel and reagents, if the filling process is carried out without separate equipment, air bubbles may form in the fillers such as gel and reagents filled inside the vacuum blood collection tube, causing issues such as weak vacuum or insufficient amount of filler during distribution. Therefore, general vacuum blood collection tube manufacturers remove the air bubbles inside the vacuum blood collection tube after filling it with fillers such as gel and reagents before supplying it.

[0008] However, this method of removing air bubbles inside the vacuum blood collection tube using a degasser is very inefficient in terms of cost and time because it requires an additional process. This leads to a decrease in product productivity, which can even lower the reliability of the product, which is particularly important for medical equipment.

[0009] As a related technology, Korean Registered Patent Publication 10-1617623 discloses a manufacturing facility and method for a vacuum blood collection tube equipped with a crack inspection device and a reagent injection device.

[0010] The above-described manufacturing facility and method for a vacuum blood collection tube equipped with a conventional crack inspection device and a reagent injection device relates to the manufacturing facility and method for a vacuum blood collection tube, and more specifically, to a manufacturing facility and method for a vacuum blood collection tube equipped with a crack inspection device and a reagent injection device capable of inspecting for tube cracks in a vacuum blood collection tube that stores collected blood and separates its components to eliminate defect rates in the vacuum blood collection tube, ensuring uniform application of a reagent that promotes the separation of blood components, and maintaining a uniform vacuum level inside each vacuum blood collection tube.

[0011] However, the above-mentioned conventional technology is configured to preheat a tube coated with a reagent using a separate preheating device and then attach a cap in a vacuum state, or to attach a cap containing bubbles and then preheat it for a certain period of time in a separate preheating space to remove the bubbles. In such cases, as described above, there is a problem in that it is not only inefficient in terms of cost and time required to use the preheating device and space, but also that the reliability of the product may decrease. Prior art literature

[0012] Republic of Korea Registered Patent Publication 10-1617623 (2016.04.27.) Republic of Korea Registered Patent Publication 10-2169712 (2020.11.20.) The problem to be solved

[0013] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit and a method for manufacturing a vacuum blood collection tube using the same, wherein a series of processes in which a tube loaded through a loader unit is transported by a transport unit and manufactured into a vacuum blood collection tube by passing through a pretreatment unit, a post-processing unit, a degassing unit, a mounting unit, and an unloader unit is controlled by a control unit and carried out sequentially. means of solving the problem

[0014] A vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit according to the present invention for solving the above problems comprises: a loader unit configured to load a tube; a transfer unit that places the tube loaded by the loader unit onto a tray and transfers it; a pretreatment unit that performs a pretreatment process on the tube; a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the tube pretreated by the pretreatment unit; a degassing unit configured to rotate the tube post-processed by the post-processing unit to remove bubbles; a mounting unit that mounts a cap on the upper part of the tube from which bubbles have been removed by the degassing unit; an unloader unit configured to unload the tube with the cap mounted by the mounting unit; and a control unit configured to control the loader unit, the transfer unit, the pretreatment unit, the post-processing unit, the degassing unit, the mounting unit, and the unloader unit.

[0015] In addition, the loader unit comprises: a tube supply module configured to supply a tube; a jig module having a plurality of jig module grooves formed therein so that a tube supplied from the tube supply module is seated thereon to align the tube horizontally; a pusher formed in a shape corresponding to the plurality of jig module grooves and installed on one side of the jig module to push the tube in the other direction; and a link module having a plurality of seating grooves formed therein and rotatably installed on the other side of the jig module so that a tube pushed by the pusher is seated thereon to align the tube vertically.

[0016] In addition, the pretreatment unit is characterized by including: a pressure measuring module that enters the interior of a tube seated on the tray and measures the internal pressure of the tube; a cleaning module that performs cleaning by spraying air into the interior of a tube where the internal pressure is determined to be normal by the pressure measuring module; and a suction module configured to suck up foreign substances floating by the air sprayed from the cleaning module.

[0017] In addition, the post-processing unit is characterized by including: a spraying unit for spraying a reagent onto the tube; and a drying unit for evaporating distilled water contained in the reagent by spraying air onto the tube on which the reagent has been sprayed by the spraying unit.

[0018] At this time, the spraying unit is characterized by including: a spray nozzle that selectively sprays one of a coagulation accelerator and a coagulation retardant; and a second lifting module configured to raise and lower the spray nozzle and to move the spray nozzle into the interior of a tube.

[0019] In addition, the drying section is characterized by including: a drying nozzle that evaporates distilled water contained in the reagent by spraying air; and a third lifting module configured to raise and lower the drying nozzle and to allow the drying nozzle to enter the interior of the tube.

[0020] In addition, the post-processing unit is characterized by including: a gel filling unit configured to fill a gel into a tube pretreated by the pretreatment unit; a spraying unit for spraying a reagent into the tube; and a drying unit for evaporating distilled water contained in the reagent by spraying air into the tube in which the reagent has been sprayed by the spraying unit.

[0021] In addition, the gel filling unit comprises: a first vacuum chamber that is lowered from the upper part of the tray transported by the transport unit to form an internal space; a first vacuum module that matches the interior of the first vacuum chamber to a vacuum state; a gel nozzle installed inside the first vacuum chamber to fill the gel inside a tube seated on the tray; and a first lifting module configured to raise and lower the gel nozzle to allow the gel nozzle to enter the interior of the tube.

[0022] In addition, the above post-processing part is characterized by including a liquid filling part configured to fill a liquid inside the tube.

[0023] In addition, the above post-processing part is characterized by including a coating part configured to apply powder to the inside of the tube.

[0024] In addition, the mounting portion comprises: a cap supply module configured to supply a cap; a supply chuck that supplies and places the cap supplied by the cap supply module onto the upper part of the tube; a second vacuum chamber that descends from the upper part of the tray transported by the transport portion to form an internal space; a second vacuum module that matches the interior of the second vacuum chamber to a vacuum state; and a press module installed inside the second vacuum chamber to press the cap placed on the upper part of the tube.

[0025] In addition, the unloader part is characterized by including: a product alignment member having a plurality of alignment grooves formed therein to align a tube that is seated thereon; an alignment chuck that places a tube seated on the tray into the alignment grooves; a carrier having a plurality of carry grooves formed therein; and a carry chuck that places a tube aligned by the product alignment member into the carry grooves.

[0026] Meanwhile, a method for manufacturing a vacuum blood collection tube using a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system utilizing a degassing unit according to the present invention for solving the above problems comprises: a loading step configured to load a tube; a transfer step for placing and transferring the tube loaded in the loading step onto a tray; a pretreatment step for performing a pretreatment process on the tube transferred in the transfer step; a post-processing step for performing a post-processing process on the tube pretreated in the pretreatment step; a degassing step for performing a degassing process on the tube post-processed in the post-processing step; a mounting step for mounting a cap on the tube degassed in the degassing step; and an unloading step configured to unload the tube with the cap mounted in the mounting step. Effects of the invention

[0027] According to the vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit and the vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing method using the same according to the present invention, a series of processes in which a tube loaded through a loader unit is transported by a transport unit and manufactured into a vacuum blood collection tube by passing through a pretreatment unit, a post-processing unit, a degassing unit, a mounting unit, and an unloader unit is controlled by a control unit and can be carried out sequentially. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0028] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control unit of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit according to the present invention. FIGS. 3a to 3c are drawings showing the loader section of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing section according to the present invention. FIGS. 4a to 4d are drawings showing the transfer section of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing section according to the present invention. FIGS. 5a to 5c are drawings showing the pretreatment section of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing section according to the present invention. FIGS. 6a and 6b are drawings showing the spray section of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing section according to the present invention. FIGS. 7a and 7b are drawings showing the drying section of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing section according to the present invention. FIGS. 8a to 8c are drawings showing the gel filling section of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing section according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a drawing showing the degassing section of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using the degassing section according to the present invention. FIGS. 10a and FIGS. 10b are drawings showing the mounting portion of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit according to the present invention. FIGS. 11a to 11d are drawings showing the unloader section of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing section according to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a drawing showing the injection and coating sections of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing section according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a method for manufacturing a vacuum blood collection tube using a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0029] The present invention is capable of various modifications and may have various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail. However, this is not intended to limit the invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0030] When it is stated that one component is "connected" or "joined" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or joined to that other component, there may also be other components in between.

[0031] On the other hand, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0032] The terms used in this specification are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, processes, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, processes, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0034] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. Based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best describe their invention, they should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, unless otherwise defined, technical and scientific terms used shall have the meaning commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. Descriptions of known functions and configurations that could unnecessarily obscure the essence of the present invention in the following description and attached drawings are omitted. The drawings presented below are provided as examples to ensure that the spirit of the present invention is sufficiently conveyed to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the drawings presented below and may be embodied in other forms. Additionally, throughout the specification, the same reference numerals indicate the same components. It should be noted that the same components in the drawings are represented by the same reference numerals wherever possible.

[0035] The present invention relates to a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit and a method for manufacturing a vacuum blood collection tube using the same, wherein a series of processes in which a tube loaded through a loader unit is transported by a transport unit and manufactured into a vacuum blood collection tube by passing through a pretreatment unit, a post-processing unit, a degassing unit, a mounting unit, and an unloader unit is controlled by a control unit and carried out sequentially.

[0036] A vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit according to the present invention and a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing method using the same will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control unit of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit according to the present invention; FIG. 3a to 3c are diagrams showing a loader unit of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit according to the present invention; FIG. 4a to 4d are diagrams showing a transfer unit of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit according to the present invention; FIG. 5a to 5c are diagrams showing a pretreatment unit of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit according to the present invention; FIG. 6a and 6b are diagrams showing a spraying unit of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit according to the present invention; FIG. 7a and 7b are diagrams showing a drying unit of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit according to the present invention; FIG. 8a to 8c are diagrams showing a gel filling unit of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit according to the present invention; and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a degassing unit of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit according to the present invention. FIGS. 10a and FIGS. 10b are drawings showing a mounting section of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing section according to the present invention, FIGS. 11a to 11d are drawings showing an unloader section of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing section according to the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a drawing showing an injection section and a coating section of a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing section according to the present invention.

[0038] According to the attached FIGS. 1 to 3c, the vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using the degassing unit of the present invention includes a loader unit (100), a transfer unit (200), a pretreatment unit (300), a post-processing unit, a degassing unit (1200), a mounting unit (700), an unloader unit (800), and a control unit (900).

[0039] The vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using the degassing unit according to the present invention is configured to manufacture a vacuum blood collection tube by sequentially performing a pretreatment process, a gel and reagent filling process, and a cap mounting process on a tube (10) loaded through the loader unit (100).

[0040] The above loader unit (100) is configured to load a tube (10).

[0041] The above loader unit (100) may include a tube supply module configured to supply a tube (10), a jig module (120) having a plurality of jig module grooves (121) formed therein so that a tube (10) supplied from the tube supply module is seated thereon so that the tube (10) is aligned horizontally, a pusher (130) formed in a shape corresponding to the plurality of jig module grooves (121) and installed on one side of the jig module (120) to push the tube (10) in the other direction, and a link module (140) having a plurality of seating grooves (141) formed thereon and rotatably installed on the other side of the jig module (120) so that a tube (10) pushed by the pusher (130) is seated thereon so that the tube (10) is aligned vertically.

[0042] At this time, the jig module (120) is configured to be slidable so that after the tube (10) is supplied from the tube supply module, it can be slid to a position where the tube (10) can be pushed by the pusher (130).

[0043] To this end, the jig module (120) may include a cushion and a sensor configured to detect a state in which the tube (10) seated in the jig module groove (121) is not properly seated in the correct position.

[0044] The above cushion is configured to be damped by an elastic member as the jig module (120) slides, so that when the jig module (120) slides while the tube (10) is caught in the jig module groove (121), a load is generated on the elastic member, and the sensor detects the load generated on the elastic member and sends a signal so that the control unit (900) controls the jig module (120) to realign.

[0045] According to the attached FIGS. 4a to 4d, the transfer unit (200) transfers the tube (10) loaded by the loader unit (100) by placing it on the tray (30).

[0046] The above-mentioned transfer unit (200) may include a transfer chuck (210) for placing a tube (10) loaded by the loader unit (100) onto a tray (30), and a transfer member for transferring the tray (30) on which the tube (10) is placed.

[0047] The above transfer chuck (210) is configured to be in the form of a clamp configured to grip the tube (10), and can be configured to be capable of gripping a plurality of tubes (10). A cushioning material (211) is installed on the transfer chuck (210) to prevent the tube (10) from being damaged when gripping the tube (10) and to prevent the tube (10) from easily coming loose while gripped.

[0048] The above transfer member may be configured to transfer the tray (30) on which the tube (10) is seated from the loader unit (100) to the unloader unit (800), and may transfer the tray (30) from which the tube (10) has been removed in the unloader unit (800) described later back to the loader unit (100) so that the tube (10) can be seated again.

[0049] According to the attached FIGS. 5a to 5c, the pretreatment unit (300) performs a pretreatment process on the tube (10).

[0050] The above-mentioned pretreatment unit (300) may include a pressure measuring module (310) that enters the interior of a tube (10) seated on the tray (30) and measures the internal pressure of the tube (10), a cleaning module (320) that performs cleaning by spraying air into the interior of the tube (10) where the internal pressure is determined to be normal by the pressure measuring module (310), and a suction module (330) configured to suck up foreign substances floating by the air sprayed from the cleaning module (320).

[0051] That is, the pretreatment unit (300) can be configured to measure the internal pressure of the tube (10) using the pressure measuring module (310) to detect the occurrence of a crack in the tube (10), thereby removing the tube (10) in which the crack has occurred, and subsequently, the cleaning module (320) and the suction module (330) can be configured to remove foreign substances inside the tube (10).

[0052] More specifically, when the pressure inside the tube (10) is determined to be normal by the pressure measuring module (310), the cleaning module (320) may be configured to enter the inside of the tube (10) and spray air, and the suction module (330) may be configured to suck in and discharge foreign matter inside the tube (10) when it becomes floated by the air sprayed from the cleaning module (320).

[0053] The post-processing unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a spraying unit (500) for spraying a reagent onto the tube (10) and a drying unit (600) for evaporating distilled water contained in the reagent by spraying air onto the tube (10) on which the reagent has been sprayed by the spraying unit (500).

[0054] According to the attached FIGS. 6a and 6b, the spray unit (500) sprays a reagent into the tube (10).

[0055] The above-mentioned spray unit (500) may include a spray nozzle (510) for selectively spraying one of a coagulation accelerator and a coagulation retardant, and a second lifting module (520) configured to raise and lower the spray nozzle (510) to allow the spray nozzle (510) to enter the interior of the tube (10).

[0056] More specifically, the spray unit (500) may be configured such that, while the second lifting module (520) has the spray nozzle (510) inserted deep inside the tube (10), the spray nozzle (510) rises while spraying either the coagulation accelerator or the coagulation retardant.

[0057] That is, the spraying unit (500) is configured such that the spray nozzle (510) enters the interior of the tube (10) to spray the reagent, thereby allowing the reagent to be sprayed evenly inside the tube (10).

[0058] At this time, the spray unit (500) may include an inspection module (530) configured to inspect the spray state of the reagent sprayed by the spray nozzle (510).

[0059] The above inspection module (530) may be configured to include a type of vision camera, etc., to inspect the reagent spraying state inside the tube (10) and transmit it to the control unit (900).

[0060] According to the attached FIGS. 7a and 7b, the drying unit (600) sprays air into the tube (10) into which the reagent is sprayed by the spraying unit (500) to evaporate the distilled water contained in the reagent.

[0061] The above drying unit (600) may include a drying nozzle (610) that evaporates distilled water contained in the reagent by spraying air, and a third lifting module (620) configured to raise and lower the drying nozzle (610) to allow the drying nozzle (610) to enter the interior of the tube (10).

[0062] That is, the drying nozzle (610) may be configured to be raised by the third lifting module (620) and spray air to evaporate the distilled water contained in the reagent inside the tube (10), and at this time, the lifting height of the drying nozzle (610), the amount of air, and the air spraying time may be configured to be controlled by the control unit (900).

[0063] In addition, the temperature of the air configured to be sprayed from the drying nozzle (610) to evaporate distilled water can be configured to be 40° to 60°.

[0064] At this time, the control unit (900) may be configured to collect moisture information and turbidity information inside the tube (10) by the inspection module (530) of the spray unit (500), and to control the drying unit (600) by calculating the amount of air and air injection time required for the evaporation of the distilled water.

[0065] The post-processing unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include a gel filling unit (400) configured to fill a gel into a tube (10) pretreated by the pretreatment unit (300), a spraying unit (500) for spraying a reagent into the tube (10), and a drying unit (600) for evaporating distilled water contained in the reagent by spraying air into the tube (10) into which the reagent has been sprayed by the spraying unit (500).

[0066] According to the attached FIGS. 8a to 8c, the gel filling unit (400) is configured to fill the gel into the tube (10) pretreated by the pretreatment unit (300).

[0067] The gel filling unit (400) may include a first vacuum chamber (410) that is lowered from the upper part of the tray (30) transported by the transport unit (200) to form an internal space, a first vacuum module (420) that matches the inside of the first vacuum chamber (410) to a vacuum state, a gel nozzle (430) that is installed inside the first vacuum chamber (410) to fill the gel inside the tube (10) seated on the tray (30), and a first lifting module (440) configured to raise and lower the gel nozzle (430) to allow the gel nozzle (430) to enter the inside of the tube (10).

[0068] That is, the gel filling unit (400) is configured such that the gel nozzle (430) enters the inside of the tube (10) to fill the gel while the inside of the first vacuum chamber (410) is matched to a vacuum state by the first vacuum module (420), thereby minimizing air bubbles inside the gel filled by the gel nozzle (430).

[0069] The description of the above spraying unit (500) and drying unit (600) has been described in detail in the post-processing unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention, so duplicate content will be omitted.

[0070] The post-processing part according to the third embodiment of the present invention may include a liquid filling part (1000) configured to fill a liquid inside the tube (10).

[0071] In addition, the post-processing part according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention may include a coating part (1100) configured to apply powder to the inside of the tube (10).

[0072] According to the attached FIG. 11, the liquid filling unit (1000) may be configured to form an injection so as to draw liquid from a separately provided tank and inject it into the interior of the tube (10), and the coating unit (1100) may be configured to inject powder into the interior of the tube (10).

[0073] At this time, assuming that the piston level is 0 to 8, the operation of the liquid filling unit (1000) is configured to suck liquid from level 1 to level 8 and inject it into the tube (10) to level 0, thereby minimizing residue.

[0074] In the present invention, the piston of the liquid filling unit (1000) is described as sucking in liquid from level 1 to level 8 and injecting liquid from level 8 to level 0; however, depending on the implementation environment, the control unit (900) may minimize the residue of the liquid by repeating the process of moving the piston back to level 2 and then moving to level 0 after the piston has injected the liquid.

[0075] According to the attached FIG. 9, the degassing unit (1200) is configured to remove bubbles by rotating the tube (10) that has been post-processed by the post-processing unit.

[0076] The above-mentioned degassing unit (1200) utilizes the principle of separating particles according to the size, shape, density, and viscosity of the medium using centrifugal force, and is configured to remove bubbles from the object injected into the tube (10) by the above-mentioned post-processing unit.

[0077] According to the attached FIG. 10a and FIG. 10b, the mounting part (700) mounts a cap (20) on the top of the tube (10) from which the moisture of the reagent has been evaporated by the drying part (600).

[0078] The above-mentioned mounting part (700) may include a cap supply module (710) configured to supply a cap (20), a supply chuck (720) that supplies and places the cap (20) supplied by the cap supply module (710) onto the upper part of the tube (10), a second vacuum chamber (730) that is lowered from the upper part of the tray (30) transported by the transport part (200) to form an internal space, a second vacuum module that matches the interior of the second vacuum chamber (730) to a vacuum state, and a press module installed inside the second vacuum chamber (730) to press the cap (20) placed on the upper part of the tube (10).

[0079] At this time, the control unit (900) is configured to control the second vacuum module to adjust the vacuum level inside the second vacuum chamber (730), thereby allowing the vacuum blood collection tube manufactured by the vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using the degassing unit according to the present invention to be configured to control the amount of blood to be collected.

[0080] According to the attached FIGS. 11a to 11d, the unloader part (800) is configured to unload a tube (10) on which a cap (20) is mounted by the mounting part (700).

[0081] The above-mentioned unloader unit (800) may include a product alignment member (810) that aligns a tube (10) to which a plurality of alignment grooves (811) are formed, an alignment chuck (820) that places a tube (10) placed on the tray (30) into the alignment grooves (811), a carrier (830) that has a plurality of carry grooves (831) formed therein, and a carry chuck (840) that places a tube (10) aligned by the product alignment member (810) into the carry grooves (831).

[0082] At this time, the tray from which the tube (10) has been detached by the alignment chuck (820) in the unloader unit (800) can be configured to be transferred to the loader unit (100) by the transfer unit (200) as described above.

[0083] To explain the alignment state of the tube (10) by the above unloader unit (800), the tube (10), which has been moved from the tray (30) to the product alignment member (810) by the alignment chuck (820), can be aligned by sliding in the alignment groove (811) formed in the shape of an elongated hole and corresponding to the carry groove (831) of the carrier (830), and subsequently can be configured to be carried by the carry chuck (840) and seated in the carry groove (831) of the carrier (830).

[0084] A plurality of carry grooves (831) formed in the carrier (830) may be formed in a zigzag shape with adjacent rows to reduce the volume of the carrier (830), and the carry chuck (840) may be configured to slide left and right so as to slide along the zigzag shape of the carry grooves (831) to seat the tube (10).

[0085] Meanwhile, the above unloader unit (800) is configured such that a separate press member is installed to press the upper part of the tube (10) seated in the carrier groove (831) of the carrier (830), thereby allowing the tube (10) to be seated well in the carrier groove (831).

[0086] According to the attached FIG. 2, the control unit (900) is configured to control the loader unit (100), transfer unit (200), pretreatment unit (300), post-processing unit, degassing unit (1200), mounting unit (700), and unloader unit (800).

[0087] The above-mentioned control unit (900) is configured to control the loader unit (100), transfer unit (200), pretreatment unit (300), post-processing unit, degassing unit (1200), mounting unit (700), and unloader unit (800), respectively, so that a series of processes required for manufacturing a vacuum blood collection tube can be easily interlocked with each other, thereby making it easy to manufacture a vacuum blood collection tube.

[0088] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a method for manufacturing a vacuum blood collection tube using a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit according to the present invention.

[0089] According to the attached FIG. 13, the method for manufacturing a vacuum blood collection tube using a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit of the present invention includes a loading step (S10), a transfer step (S20), a pretreatment step (S30), a post-processing step (S40), a degassing step (S50), a mounting step (S60), and an unloading step (S70).

[0090] The above loading step (S10) is configured to load tubes (10), and is configured to load a plurality of tubes (10) onto a tray (30) so that they can be transported by a transport unit (200) in a subsequent transport step (S20).

[0091] The above transfer step (S20) is a step of transferring the tube (10) loaded in the above loading step (S10) by placing it on the tray (30).

[0092] In the present invention, although the transfer step (S20) is illustrated and described as taking place after the loading step (S10), in detail, the tray (30) on which the tube (10) is placed is configured to be continuously transferred from the loading step (S10) to the unloading step (S70) described later.

[0093] The above pretreatment step (S30) is a step of performing a pretreatment process on the tube (10).

[0094] In the above pretreatment step (S30), the internal pressure of the tube (10) can be measured using a pressure measuring module (310) to detect the occurrence of cracks in the tube (10), and subsequently, a cleaning module (320) and a suction module (330) can be configured to remove foreign substances inside the tube (10).

[0095] More specifically, when the pressure inside the tube (10) is determined to be normal by the pressure measuring module (310), the cleaning module (320) may be configured to enter the inside of the tube (10) and spray air, and the suction module (330) may be configured to suck in and discharge foreign matter inside the tube (10) when it becomes floated by the air sprayed from the cleaning module (320).

[0096] The above post-processing step (S40) is a step of performing a post-processing process on the tube (10) pre-processed in the above pre-processing step (S30).

[0097] In the above post-processing step (S40), the reagent spraying, reagent drying, gel filling, liquid filling, and powder coating on the tube (10) are selectively performed, thereby enabling the manufacture of a vacuum blood collection tube according to the required characteristics.

[0098] The above degassing step (S50) is a step of performing a degassing process on the tube (10) that was post-processed in the above post-processing step (S40).

[0099] That is, the above degassing step (S50) is configured to rotate the post-processed tube (10) after the above post-processing step (S40) to remove air bubbles inside the tube (10), thereby preventing problems such as the vacuum weakening or the amount of filling material becoming insufficient during the distribution process.

[0100] The above mounting step (S60) is a step of mounting a cap (20) on the tube (10) that has been degassed in the above degassing step (S50).

[0101] At this time, the control unit (900) of the present invention is configured to control the vacuum level inside the second vacuum chamber (730), so that the vacuum blood collection tube manufactured by the vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using the degassing unit according to the present invention can be configured to control the amount of blood to be collected.

[0102] The above unloading step (S70) is a step configured to unload the tube (10) with the cap (20) mounted in the above mounting step (S60).

[0103] The vacuum blood collection tube manufactured through the above loading step (S10), transfer step (S20), pretreatment step (S30), post-processing step (S40), degassing step (S50), and mounting step (S60) can be configured to be unloaded in the above unloading step (S70) and shipped as a product.

[0104] According to the present invention, a series of processes in which a tube loaded through a loader is transported by a transporter and manufactured into a vacuum blood collection tube by passing through a pretreatment section, a post-processing section, a degassing section, a mounting section, and an unloader section is controlled by a control section and can be carried out sequentially.

[0105] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been presented and described in the above description, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and those skilled in the art will understand that various substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0106] 10 : Tube 20 : Cap 30 : Tray 100 : Loader 120 : Jig module 121 : Jig module home 130 : Pusher 140 : Link module 141 : Seating groove 200 : Transfer section 210 : Transfer chuck 211 : Cushioning material 300 : Preprocessing section 310: Pressure measurement module 320: Cleaning module 330 : Intake module 400 : Gel filling section 410: First vacuum chamber 420: First vacuum module 430 : Gel nozzle 440 : 1st lifting module 500 : Spray part 510 : Spray nozzle 520 : Second lifting module 530 : Inspection Module 600 : Drying section 610 : Drying nozzle 620 : 3rd lifting module 700 : Mounting part 710 : Cap supply module 720 : Supply chuck 730 : Second vacuum chamber 800 : Unloader 810 : Product alignment member 811 : Alignment groove 820 : Alignment scale 830 : Carrier 831 : Carry Home 840 : Carry Chuck 900 : Control unit 1000 : Liquid filling section 1100 : Coating part 1200 : Deaeration section

Claims

Claim 1 A loader unit (100) configured to load a tube (10); a transfer unit (200) that places the tube (10) loaded by the loader unit (100) onto a tray (30) and transfers it; a pretreatment unit (300) that performs a pretreatment process on the tube (10); a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the tube (10) pretreated by the pretreatment unit (300); a degassing unit (1200) configured to rotate the tube (10) post-processed by the post-processing unit to remove bubbles; a mounting unit (700) that mounts a cap (20) on the upper part of the tube (10) from which bubbles have been removed by the degassing unit (1200); and an unloader unit (800) configured to unload the tube (10) with the cap (20) mounted by the mounting unit (700). A vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit, characterized by comprising: a control unit (900) configured to control the loader unit (100), transfer unit (200), pretreatment unit (300), post-processing unit, degassing unit (1200), mounting unit (700), and unloader unit (800); wherein the pretreatment unit (300) includes: a pressure measuring module (310) that enters the interior of a tube (10) seated on the tray (30) and measures the internal pressure of the tube (10); a cleaning module (320) that performs cleaning by spraying air into the interior of a tube (10) where the internal pressure is determined to be normal by the pressure measuring module (310); and a suction module (330) configured to suck up foreign substances floating by the air sprayed from the cleaning module (320). Claim 2 A vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit according to claim 1, wherein the loader unit (100) comprises: a tube supply module configured to supply a tube (10); a jig module (120) having a plurality of jig module grooves (121) formed therein so that a tube (10) supplied from the tube supply module is seated thereon so that the tube (10) is aligned horizontally; a pusher (130) formed in a shape corresponding to the plurality of jig module grooves (121) and installed on one side of the jig module (120) to push the tube (10) in the other direction; and a link module (140) having a plurality of seating grooves (141) formed therein and rotatably installed on the other side of the jig module (120) so that a tube (10) pushed by the pusher (130) is seated thereon so that the tube (10) is aligned vertically. Claim 3 delete Claim 4 A vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit, characterized in that, in the first paragraph, the post-processing unit comprises: a spraying unit (500) for spraying a reagent onto the tube (10); and a drying unit (600) for spraying air onto the tube (10) on which the reagent has been sprayed by the spraying unit (500) to evaporate the distilled water contained in the reagent. Claim 5 A vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit, characterized in that, in the spraying unit (500) above, a spray nozzle (510) for selectively spraying one of a coagulation accelerator and a coagulation retardant; and a second lifting module (520) configured to raise and lower the spray nozzle (510) and to allow the spray nozzle (510) to enter the interior of a tube (10). Claim 6 A vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit, characterized in that, in the 4th paragraph, the drying unit (600) includes: a drying nozzle (610) that sprays air to evaporate distilled water contained in the reagent; and a third lifting module (620) configured to raise and lower the drying nozzle (610) and to allow the drying nozzle (610) to enter the interior of the tube (10). Claim 7 A vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit, characterized in that, in the second paragraph, the post-processing unit comprises: a gel filling unit (400) configured to fill a gel into a tube (10) pretreated by the pretreatment unit (300); a spraying unit (500) for spraying a reagent into the tube (10); and a drying unit (600) for evaporating distilled water contained in the reagent by spraying air into the tube (10) into which the reagent has been sprayed by the spraying unit (500). Claim 8 A vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit, characterized in that, in the gel filling unit (400), the gel filling unit (400) includes: a first vacuum chamber (410) that is lowered from the upper part of the tray (30) transported by the transport unit (200) to form an internal space; a first vacuum module (420) that matches the interior of the first vacuum chamber (410) to a vacuum state; a gel nozzle (430) installed inside the first vacuum chamber (410) to fill the gel inside the tube (10) seated on the tray (30); and a first lifting module (440) configured to raise and lower the gel nozzle (430) to allow the gel nozzle (430) to enter the interior of the tube (10). Claim 9 A vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit, characterized in that, in the first paragraph, the post-processing unit includes a liquid filling unit (1000) configured to fill the inside of the tube (10). Claim 10 A vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit, characterized in that, in the first paragraph, the post-processing unit includes a coating unit (1100) configured to apply powder to the inside of the tube (10). Claim 11 A vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit, characterized in that, in the first paragraph, the mounting part (700) comprises: a cap supply module (710) configured to supply a cap (20); a supply chuck (720) that supplies and places the cap (20) supplied by the cap supply module (710) onto the upper part of the tube (10); a second vacuum chamber (730) that is lowered from the upper part of the tray (30) transported by the transport part (200) to form an internal space; a second vacuum module that matches the interior of the second vacuum chamber (730) to a vacuum state; and a press module installed inside the second vacuum chamber (730) to press the cap (20) placed on the upper part of the tube (10). Claim 12 A vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit, characterized in that, in the first paragraph, the unloader unit (800) comprises: a product alignment member (810) having a plurality of alignment grooves (811) formed therein to align a tube (10) that is seated thereon; an alignment chuck (820) that places a tube (10) seated on the tray (30) into the alignment grooves (811); a carrier (830) having a plurality of carry grooves (831) formed therein; and a carry chuck (840) that places a tube (10) aligned by the product alignment member (810) into the carry grooves (831). Claim 13 A method for manufacturing a vacuum blood collection tube using a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system utilizing a degassing unit described in claim 1, comprising: a loading step (S10) configured to load a tube (10); a transfer step (S20) for placing and transferring the tube (10) loaded in the loading step (S10) onto a tray (30); a pretreatment step (S30) for performing a pretreatment process on the tube (10) transferred in the transfer step (S20); a post-processing step (S40) for performing a post-processing process on the tube (10) pretreated in the pretreatment step (S30); a degassing step (S50) for performing a degassing process on the tube (10) post-processed in the post-processing step (S40); and a mounting step (S60) for mounting a cap (20) on the tube (10) degassed in the degassing step (S50). A method for manufacturing a vacuum blood collection tube using a vacuum blood collection tube manufacturing system using a degassing unit, characterized by including: an unloading step (S70) configured to unload the tube (10) with the cap (20) mounted in the mounting step (S60).

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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