Waste liquid storage container, waste liquid storage device equipped with the container, and waste liquid suction system

Abstract

In the present invention, as the upper space (S2) of the tank body (6) is set to a negative pressure based on the suction force of the suction source (2), the waste liquid storage space (S3) of the cylinder body (51) becomes negative pressure. At this time, the first covering member (5242) covering the first opening (524H1) facing and opening the upper space (S2) in the waste liquid treatment agent storage portion (524) is plastically deformed upward based on the suction force generated by the negative pressure of the upper space (S2). On the other hand, when the opening and closing cover (62) of the tank body (6) is opened and the negative pressure of the upper space (S2) is released, when the first covering member (5242) is pressed downward, the pressing force is transmitted to the second covering member (5243), thereby breaking the second covering member (5243).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a waste liquid storage container for storing a specified waste liquid, a waste liquid storage device including the waste liquid storage container, and a waste liquid suction system. The specified waste liquid is sucked by the suction force of a suction source. Background Art

[0002] A waste liquid suction system is known that uses a suction source installed in a medical facility, etc. to suck waste liquid, including patient body fluids generated during surgery and cleaning fluids used for cleaning body cavities, and stores the sucked waste liquid. The waste liquid suction system includes a waste liquid reservoir capable of storing the waste liquid sucked by the suction force of the suction source. Such a waste liquid reservoir typically includes a waste liquid storage container (inner cylinder) for storing the waste liquid and a container receptacle (tank body) for housing the waste liquid storage container (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an inner cylinder equipped with a waste liquid treatment agent storage section, which stores a waste liquid treatment agent for treating waste liquid. The waste liquid treatment agent storage section comprises: a reservoir disposed on the inner cylinder's lid body, having an upper opening and a bottom opening; a flexible dome-shaped lid member covering the upper opening; and a perforated film seal covering the bottom opening. In the waste liquid treatment agent storage section, downward pressure applied to the dome-shaped lid member ruptures the perforated film seal, allowing the waste liquid treatment agent in the reservoir to be released into the inner cylinder.

[0004] In the inner cylinder disclosed in Patent Document 1, when waste liquid is drawn into the inner cylinder, the internal space of the inner cylinder becomes under negative pressure due to the suction force of the suction source. In the reservoir that holds the waste liquid treatment agent, a perforated film seal is provided at the bottom opening facing the inner space of the inner cylinder. However, this film seal has tiny perforations. Therefore, the internal space of the reservoir and the internal space of the inner cylinder are connected via the tiny perforations in the perforated film seal. With this structure, if the internal space of the inner cylinder becomes under negative pressure, the pressure inside the reservoir also becomes negative. When the pressure inside the reservoir becomes negative, the suction force acts on the dome-shaped cover member covering the upper opening of the reservoir. When the suction force acts, the dome-shaped cover member deforms downward, similar to when it is subjected to downward pressure. Therefore, during the process of drawing waste liquid into the inner cylinder, the downward deformation of the dome-shaped cover member could rupture the perforated film seal, releasing the waste liquid treatment agent inside the reservoir into the inner cylinder.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-517285 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned situation, and its object is to provide a waste liquid storage container, a waste liquid storage device equipped with the waste liquid storage container, and a waste liquid suction system. The waste liquid storage container includes a waste liquid treatment agent storage portion and can prevent the waste liquid treatment agent from being released from the waste liquid treatment agent storage portion during the suction of the waste liquid.

[0009] 20. The liquid dispensing container of claim 19, wherein the lid is secured to a position adjacent to the container body and adapted to engage with the container body to allow the container to be opened and closed. The container body comprises a first opening facing and opening to the upper space and a second opening facing and opening to the waste liquid receiving space, and a treatment agent receiving space for receiving the waste liquid treating agent is defined between the first opening and the second opening; a first covering member is joined to the receiving body in a manner covering the first opening; and a second covering member is joined to the receiving body in a manner covering the second opening; wherein the first covering member is made of a material that is plastically deformed upward by a suction force when the upper space is set to a negative pressure, and is plastically deformed downward by a pressing force when the opening and closing cover is opened and the negative pressure in the upper space is released, and the second covering member is made of a material that is not plastically deformed by a suction force when the waste liquid receiving space is set to a negative pressure, and is not plastically deformed and ruptured when the pressing force is applied to the first covering member.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a waste liquid storage device comprising: a container receiving container, comprising a container body and an opening and closing cover, wherein the container body is in the shape of a bottomed container and has an upper opening opening upward, and the opening and closing cover is supported by the container body so as to open and close the upper opening; and the above-mentioned waste liquid receiving container is received in the container receiving container and is capable of receiving specified waste liquid.

[0011] A waste liquid suction system according to another aspect of the present invention is configured to suck specified waste liquid and store the sucked waste liquid, the waste liquid suction system comprising: a suction source; a suction path portion constituting a suction path from a suction starting point portion serving as a suction starting point for the waste liquid to the suction source; and the above-mentioned waste liquid reservoir, which is arranged between the suction starting point and the suction source on the suction path and is configured to store the waste liquid sucked from the suction starting point portion based on the suction force of the suction source.

[0012] According to the present invention, a waste liquid storage container including a waste liquid treatment agent storage portion can be provided, which can prevent the waste liquid treatment agent from being released from the waste liquid treatment agent storage portion during waste liquid suction, a waste liquid storage device including the waste liquid storage container, and a waste liquid suction system.

[0013] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 This is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a waste liquid suction system to which a waste liquid storage device including an inner cylinder according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0015] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing a waste liquid storage tank.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing a state in which the opening and closing cover of the tank body is arranged in the open position in the waste liquid storage container.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing a state in which the inner cylinder is removed from the tank body in the waste liquid storage container.

[0018] Figure 5 It is a partial cross-sectional view showing an enlarged main portion of the waste liquid storage container.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a diagram of the inner cylinder viewed from the side.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a diagram of the inner cylinder viewed from above.

[0021] Figure 8 Observe from the cutting line VIII-VIII Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the inner cylinder shown.

[0022] Figure 9 It is a perspective view showing the container lid of the inner cylinder.

[0023] Figure 10 It is a perspective view showing the container lid of the inner cylinder.

[0024] Figure 11 Observe from the cutting line XI-XI Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the container cover shown.

[0025] Figure 12 This is a perspective view showing a state in which the first covering member and the second covering member of the waste liquid treatment agent storage portion are removed from the container lid.

[0026] Figure 13 This is a perspective view showing a state in which the first covering member and the second covering member of the waste liquid treatment agent storage portion are removed from the container lid.

[0027] Figure 14 It is a perspective view showing a modified example of the first covering member of the waste liquid treatment agent storage section.

[0028] Figure 15 It means in Figure 14 A perspective view showing the peeling state of the upper film in the first covering member shown.

[0029] Figure 16 It means in Figure 14 The top view shows the first covering member after the upper film is peeled off. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, a waste liquid suction system and a waste liquid storage device according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] [Overall structure of the waste liquid suction system]

[0032] Figure 1 This diagram schematically illustrates the configuration of a waste liquid suction system 1 employing a waste liquid reservoir 4 having an inner cylinder 5 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The waste liquid suction system 1 is configured to suction waste liquid WL using the suction force of a designated suction source 2 and to store the suctioned waste liquid WL. Specifically, the waste liquid suction system 1 utilizes the suction source 2, which is located in a medical facility, to suction waste liquid WL, including patient body fluids (blood, etc.) generated during surgery, and a cleaning fluid (e.g., saline solution) for cleaning a body cavity. The waste liquid suction system 1 includes the suction source 2, a suction path portion 3, and a waste liquid reservoir 4.

[0033] The suction source 2 is installed in a medical facility or the like, and its structure is not particularly limited. For example, it is composed of a suction pump or the like.

[0034] The suction path section 3 forms a suction path from a suction starting point 33, which serves as the suction starting point for the waste liquid WL, to the suction source 2. The suction path section 3 includes a first path member 31 defining a first suction path between the suction source 2 and the waste liquid reservoir 4, and a second path member 32 defining a second suction path between the waste liquid reservoir 4 and the suction starting point 33. The first path member 31 and the second path member 32 each comprise, for example, a flexible hose.

[0035] The waste liquid reservoir 4 is disposed between the suction starting point 33 and the suction source 2 on the suction path defined by the suction path portion 3. Two path members, the first path member 31 and the second path member 32, are connected to the waste liquid reservoir 4. The waste liquid reservoir 4 is configured to store waste liquid WL sucked from the suction starting point 33 by the suction force of the suction source 2.

[0036] [Composition of waste liquid storage tank]

[0037] The waste liquid storage device 4 includes an inner cylinder 5 (waste liquid storage container) for storing waste liquid WL and a tank body 6 (container storage container) for storing the inner cylinder 5. Figure 1 In addition, refer to Figures 2 to 5 Provide detailed explanation. Figures 2 to 4 is a perspective view of the waste liquid storage container 4, Figure 2 Indicates a state where the opening and closing cover 62 of the tank body 6 is arranged in the closed position. Figure 3 Indicates a state where the opening and closing cover 62 is arranged in the open position. Figure 4 The state after the inner tube 5 is taken out from the tank body 6 is shown. Figure 5 It is a partial cross-sectional view showing an enlarged main portion of the waste liquid reservoir 4 .

[0038] When the inner cylinder 5 is housed in the tank body 6, the waste liquid reservoir 4 is located at its central axis J1 ( Figure 2 ) is arranged between the suction starting point 33 and the suction source 2 on the suction path divided by the suction path portion 3 in a manner extending along the up-down direction (plumb direction).

[0039] <Tank structure>

[0040] The can body 6 is a container housing for housing the inner tube 5 described later. The can body 6 includes a container body 61, an opening and closing cover 62, an opening and closing operation member 63, and a vent valve 64.

[0041] The container body 61 constitutes the main body portion of the tank body 6 that houses the inner cylinder 5. The container body 61 is formed into a long bottomed cylindrical shape (bottomed container shape) along a container axis extending in the vertical direction. The container axis of the container body 61 represents the central axis of the container body 61, is arranged on the same axis as the central axis J1 of the waste liquid storage container 4, and extends in the vertical direction. Figure 4 As shown, the container body 61 is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape having a circular upper opening 6121H that opens upward at an upper end surface portion 6121. The container body 61 houses the inner tube 5. Furthermore, the container body 61, together with the openable and closable lid 62 (described later), defines a suction space S1 outside the housed inner tube 5, which is maintained at a negative pressure based on the suction force of the suction source 2.

[0042] In this embodiment, the container body 61 includes a bottomed cylindrical main body portion 611 and an upper structural portion 612 formed of a cylindrical body joined to the upper end of the main body portion 611 and defining an upper opening 6121H in the upper end surface portion 6121 of the container body 61. The container body 61 is integrally formed by joining the upper structural portion 612 to the upper end of the main body portion 611.

[0043] The container body 61 is formed from a hard synthetic resin with higher rigidity than the inner tube 5 (described later). In the container body 61, the main body 611 and the upper structural portion 612 may be formed from the same synthetic resin or different synthetic resins. In this embodiment, the main body 611 is formed from a colorless, transparent, and translucent synthetic resin to enable visual identification of the waste liquid WL contained in the inner tube 5 within the container body 61. Meanwhile, the upper structural portion 612 is formed from a colored synthetic resin or metal, taking into account the external characteristics of the can body 6.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the upper structural portion 612 has a suction source connection portion 6122 and an atmosphere opening portion 6123. The suction source connection portion 6122 connects the suction space S1 with the first path member 31 of the suction path portion 3, and demarcates an air exhaust path 61221 which is a flow path for the air discharged from the suction space S1 based on the suction force of the suction source 2. The air exhaust path 61221 is configured to pass through the peripheral wall of the upper structural portion 612 formed by a cylindrical body. The suction source connection portion 6122 is connected to the first path member 31 of the suction path portion 3. Thus, the air exhaust path 61221 of the suction source connection portion 6122 is connected to the first path member 31, and based on the suction force of the suction source 2, air is discharged from the suction space S1 in the direction toward the suction source 2 ( Figure 1The air is discharged as indicated by the arrow H1, and the suction space S1 becomes under negative pressure.

[0045] The atmosphere opening portion 6123 connects the suction space S1 with the external space S4, and demarcates an air inlet path 61231 which is a flow path for the air from the external space S4 to flow into the suction space S1. The air inlet path 61231 is arranged to pass through the peripheral wall of the upper structural portion 612 formed by a cylindrical body. In addition, the air inlet path 61231 is not limited to being arranged on the upper structural portion 612 of the container body 61, and it can also be arranged on the openable and closable cover 62. In addition, a vent valve 64 is arranged in the air inlet path 61231 of the atmosphere opening portion 6123. The vent valve 64 is a valve body that closes or opens the air inlet path 61231. When the air inlet path 61231 is in a closed state due to the vent valve 64, the negative pressure state of the suction space S1 is maintained due to the suction force of the suction source 2. On the other hand, when the suction force of the suction source 2 stops and the air inlet path 61231 is opened by the vent valve 64, air flows from the external space S4 into the negative pressure suction space S1 through the air inlet path 61231. As a result, the suction space S1 is opened to the atmosphere.

[0046] In this embodiment, in the upper structural portion 612, the suction source connection portion 6122 and the atmosphere vent portion 6123 are positioned in a point-symmetrical relationship about the center of the upper structural portion 612 (the center of the upper opening 6121H). In other words, when the upper structural portion 612 is viewed from above, the suction source connection portion 6122 and the atmosphere vent portion 6123 are arranged facing each other on a virtual line passing through the center of the upper structural portion 612 (the center of the upper opening 6121H).

[0047] In addition, if Figures 1 to 4As shown, the upper structural portion 612 further includes a cover support portion 6124 and an operation support portion 6125. The cover support portion 6124 supports the opening and closing cover 62, which will be described later. When the container body 61 is viewed from above, the cover support portion 6124 extends radially outward relative to the main body 611. The operation support portion 6125 supports the opening and closing operation member 63, which will be described later. Similar to the cover support portion 6124, the operation support portion 6125 extends radially outward relative to the main body 611, when the container body 61 is viewed from above. On the upper structural portion 612, the cover support portion 6124 is provided close to the suction source connection portion 6122, and the operation support portion 6125 is provided close to the atmosphere opening portion 6123. On the upper structural portion 612, the cover support portion 6124 and the operation support portion 6125 are in a point-symmetrical positional relationship with the center of the upper structural portion 612 (the center of the upper opening 6121H) as the symmetry point. In other words, when the upper structure portion 612 is viewed from above, the cover support portion 6124 and the operation support portion 6125 are arranged facing each other on a virtual line passing through the center of the upper structure portion 612 (the center of the upper opening 6121H).

[0048] In addition, if Figure 4 As shown, the upper structure portion 612 further includes a first sealing groove 6126. The first sealing groove 6126 is an annular groove along the opening edge of the upper opening 6121H. It is formed in the upper end surface portion 6121 of the upper structure portion 612, opposite the portion joined to the main body portion 611. A first sealing member 6126A is fitted into the first sealing groove 6126. The first sealing member 6126A is a seal made of an elastically deformable rubber material.

[0049] The opening and closing cover 62 is supported by the cover support portion 6124 of the upper structural portion 612 and opens and closes the upper opening 6121H of the upper end surface portion 6121 of the upper structural portion 612. Like the container body 61, the opening and closing cover 62 is formed from a hard synthetic resin having higher rigidity than the inner tube 5. In this embodiment, the opening and closing cover 62 is formed from a synthetic resin colored the same color as the upper structural portion 612 of the container body 61.

[0050] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the opening and closing cover 62 has a cover rotation axis portion 621 extending in a direction perpendicular to the container axis extending in the vertical direction of the container body 61, and is supported by the cover support portion 6124 so as to be swingable about the cover rotation axis portion 621. The opening and closing cover 62 is movable between a closed position in which it closes the upper opening 6121H of the upper structural portion 612 and an open position in which it opens the upper opening 6121H by swinging about the cover rotation axis portion 621. Figure 2 The opening and closing cover 62 is shown in the closed position. Figure 3The opening and closing cover 62 is shown in the open position. When in the closed position, the opening and closing cover 62, in conjunction with the container body 61, cooperates with the container body 61 to define the suction space S1 outside the inner tube 5 housed therein. When the opening and closing cover 62 is in the closed position and the upper opening 6121H is sealed by the opening and closing cover 62, the suction space S1 within the container body 61 becomes a sealed space. On the other hand, when the opening and closing cover 62 is in the open position and the upper opening 6121H is open, the inner tube 5 can be moved in and out of the container body 61.

[0051] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the opening and closing cover 62 includes a shaft mounting portion 622, a cutout portion 623, a closing surface portion 624, a top surface portion 625, and a pressing portion 626. The opening and closing cover 62 is formed into a circular shape excluding the shaft mounting portion 622 and the cutout portion 623 in a plan view.

[0052] The shaft mounting portion 622 is a portion of the opening and closing cover 62 where the cover rotation shaft portion 621 is mounted. The opening and closing cover 62 is supported by the cover support portion 6124 of the upper structure portion 612 via the shaft mounting portion 622. The cutout portion 623 is formed from the outer periphery of the opening and closing cover 62 toward the center 62S ( Figure 2 The cutout portion 623 allows the waste liquid inlet port 522 of the container cover 52, which is contained in the inner tube 5 in the container body 61, to be exposed when the opening and closing cover 62 is in the closed position (see Figure 2 In the opening and closing cover 62, the shaft mounting portion 622 and the cutout portion 623 are positioned in a point-symmetrical relationship with respect to the center 62S of the opening and closing cover 62. In other words, when viewed from above the opening and closing cover 62, the shaft mounting portion 622 and the cutout portion 623 are arranged facing each other on a virtual line passing through the center 62S of the opening and closing cover 62.

[0053] The closed surface 624 is a portion that faces the upper opening 6121H in the upper end surface 6121 of the upper structure portion 612 when the opening and closing cover 62 is in the closed position and closes the upper opening 6121H. The closed surface 624 is formed into a shape obtained by cutting off a part of a circle based on the cutout portion 623 when viewed from above. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the closing surface portion 624 includes an abutment portion 6241 slightly positioned inward relative to its outer periphery, and a recessed portion 6242 recessed from the inner edge of the abutment portion 6241 toward the top surface portion 625. Furthermore, an engaging hook 6243 is provided near the cutout portion 623 in the outer periphery of the closing surface portion 624. The engaging hook 6243 engages with an engaging portion 634 of the opening and closing operation member 63, which will be described later.

[0054] When the opening and closing cover 62 is in the closed position, the recess 6242 of the closing surface 624 defines an upper space S2 ( Figure 1 The contact portion 6241 is formed in a shape along the outer peripheral edge of the closed surface portion 624, and when the opening and closing cover 62 is arranged in the closed position, it contacts the upper end surface portion 6121 of the upper structural portion 612 via the flange portion 521 of the container cover 52 described later in the inner tube 5. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the contact portion 6241 has a second sealing groove 6241A. The second sealing groove 6241A is a groove along the outer periphery of the contact portion 6241, that is, along the sealing surface portion 624. A second sealing member 6241B is fitted into the second sealing groove 6241A. The second sealing member 6241B is a sealing member made of an elastically deformable rubber material.

[0055] When the opening and closing cover 62 is arranged in the closed position, the flange portion 521 of the container cover 52 in the inner tube 5 is pressed from above by the second seal 6241B and from below by the first seal 6126A, but the details will be described later. In other words, when the opening and closing cover 62 is arranged in the closed position, the flange portion 521 is sandwiched between the first seal 6126A and the second seal 6241B. Thereby, the airtightness between the suction space S1 and the upper space S2 in the container body 61 is maintained. In addition, when the opening and closing cover 62 is arranged in the closed position, the plurality of through holes 5211 ( Figure 1 、 Figure 3 ) is disposed inwardly of the portion of the flange portion 521 where the first seal 6126A and the second seal 6241B are pressed against each other, thereby connecting the suction space S1 and the upper space S2. Thus, the suction force of the suction source 2 creates a negative pressure in the suction space S1, and the upper space S2 also creates a negative pressure.

[0056] The top surface portion 625 is a portion of the opening and closing cover 62 that is located on the opposite side of the closing surface portion 624 in the thickness direction. When the opening and closing cover 62 is in the closed position, the top surface portion 625 is exposed to the outside. Similar to the closing surface portion 624, the top surface portion 625 is formed in a shape obtained by cutting out a part of a circle based on the cutout portion 623 when viewed from above. Figure 2As shown, the top surface portion 625 has an inclined portion 6251 around the cutout portion 623. When the opening and closing cover 62 is in the closed position, the inclined portion 6251 faces the waste liquid inlet port 522 of the container cover 52 in the inner tube 5, which is exposed through the cutout portion 623, and inclines upward as it moves away from the edge of the cutout portion 623. This prevents medical personnel, such as nurses, from being obstructed by the top surface portion 625 of the opening and closing cover 62 when connecting the second path member 32 to the waste liquid inlet port 522, thereby improving the workability of connecting the second path member 32.

[0057] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the clamping portion 626 is provided in the recessed portion 6242 in the closed surface portion 624 of the opening and closing cover body 62. The clamping portion 626 is provided to protrude inwardly on the side opposite to the top surface portion 625 relative to the recessed portion 6242. The clamping portion 626 restricts the plastic deformation of the first covering member 5242 in the waste liquid treatment agent storage portion 524 of the inner cylinder 5 from becoming greater than a specified value due to the suction force generated by the negative pressure of the upper space S2, and the details will be described later. Assume that the upper space S2 does not become negative pressure when the opening and closing cover body 62 is arranged in the closed position. In this case, as Figure 5 As shown, a gap GA is formed between the pressing portion 626 and the first covering member 5242. That is, the pressing portion 626 is provided so as to contact the first covering member 5242 when the first covering member 5242 is plastically deformed to a predetermined height position by the suction force generated by the negative pressure in the upper space S2.

[0058] Secondly, refer to Figures 1 to 4 Next, the opening and closing operating member 63 will be described. The opening and closing operating member 63 is a member that is supported by the operating support portion 6125 in the upper structural portion 612 of the container body 61 and operates the opening and closing of the opening and closing cover 62. In addition, the opening and closing operating member 63 is not limited to being supported by the upper structural portion 612 of the container body 61, and may also be supported by the opening and closing cover 62. The opening and closing operating member 63 is operated by medical practitioners such as nurses when opening and closing the opening and closing cover 62. The opening and closing operating member 63 can change its posture between a closed holding posture and an open permission posture, wherein the closed holding posture is a posture that restricts the opening of the opening and closing cover 62 so as to keep the opening and closing cover 62 in the closed position, and the open permission posture is a posture that allows the upper opening 6121H to open in response to the displacement of the opening and closing cover 62 from the closed position to the open position.

[0059] Like the container body 61 and the opening and closing cover 62, the opening and closing operating member 63 is formed of a hard synthetic resin having higher rigidity than the inner tube 5. In this embodiment, in order to easily distinguish the upper structure 612 of the container body 61 from the opening and closing cover 62, the opening and closing operating member 63 is formed of a synthetic resin colored a different color from these components.

[0060] The opening and closing operation member 63 includes an operation rotation shaft portion 631 , a pressing operation portion 632 , and an engaging portion 634 .

[0061] The operating rotation shaft portion 631 extends in a direction perpendicular to the container axis of the container body 61 and parallel to the lid rotation shaft portion 621. The operating rotation shaft portion 631 has the function of swingably supporting the opening and closing operation member 63 relative to the operation support portion 6125 of the upper structure portion 612. The opening and closing operation member 63 is supported by the operation support portion 6125 so as to be swingable about the operating rotation shaft portion 631. The opening and closing operation member 63 can change its position between the closed holding position and the opening permission position by swinging about the operating rotation shaft portion 631.

[0062] The pressing operation portion 632 is subjected to a downward pressing force by a medical professional, such as a nurse. When the opening and closing operation member 63 is in the closed holding position, the engaging portion 634 engages with the engaging hook 6243 of the opening and closing cover 62. When the engaging portion 634 and the engaging hook 6243 are engaged, the opening and closing cover 62 is maintained in the closed position. When the pressing operation portion 632 is pushed downward by a pressing force, the opening and closing operation member 63 swings about the operating rotation axis 631, changing its position from the closed holding position to the opening-permitting position. At this point, the engagement between the engaging portion 634 and the engaging hook 6243 is released, allowing the opening and closing cover 62 to swing from the closed position to the open position. On the other hand, when no pressing force is applied to the pressing operation portion 632, the opening and closing operation member 63 maintains the closed holding position. At this point, the engaging portion 634 and the engaging hook 6243 can engage. Thereby, the state where the opening and closing cover 62 is arranged at the closed position can be maintained.

[0063] <Inner Cylinder Structure>

[0064] Secondly, in addition to the reference Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 5 In addition, refer to Figures 6 to 13 Now let's explain the inner tube 5. Figure 6 This is a picture viewed from the side. Figure 7 This is the picture when viewed from above. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view. In addition, Figures 9 to 13This is a diagram showing a container lid 52 included in the inner tube 5 .

[0065] The inner cylinder 5 is a waste liquid storage container housed within the tank body 6. The inner cylinder 5 is maintained at a negative pressure within the suction space S1 and the upper space S2 of the tank body 6, thereby storing the waste liquid WL drawn from the suction starting point 33. The inner cylinder 5 comprises a cylindrical body 51 having a peripheral wall surrounding the cylinder axis J2 and having openings 51H1 and 51H2 at one and other ends, respectively, in the axial direction (vertical direction) along the cylinder axis J2; a container lid 52 that closes the opening 51H1 at one end of the cylinder body 51; and a bottom plate 53 that closes the opening 51H2 at the other end of the cylinder body 51. The inner cylinder 5 is integrally constructed with the container lid 52 joined to one end of the cylinder body 51 and the bottom plate 53 joined to the other end of the cylinder body 51. The inner cylinder 5 is housed in the tank body 6 such that the cylinder axis J2 of the cylinder body 51 extends in the vertical direction, one end of the cylinder body 51 faces upward and the other end faces downward. That is, when the inner cylinder 5 is housed in the tank body 6, the cylinder body 51 extends in the vertical direction, the container cover 52 connected to one end of the cylinder body 51 is arranged on the upper side, and the bottom plate 53 connected to the other end of the cylinder body 51 is arranged on the lower side.

[0066] The barrel 51 constitutes the main body, which, together with the container lid 52 and the bottom plate 53, defines the waste liquid storage space S3 within the inner barrel 5 for storing waste liquid WL. The barrel 51 is formed into an elongated cylindrical shape along a barrel axis J2 extending in the vertical direction. The barrel axis J2 of the barrel 51 represents the central axis of the barrel 51. When the inner barrel 5 is housed in the tank body 6, the barrel axis J2 is coaxial with the central axis J1 of the waste liquid reservoir 4 and extends in the vertical direction. The barrel 51 is formed from a flexible synthetic resin that is less rigid than the tank body 6.

[0067] Because the barrel 51 is formed from a flexible synthetic resin, it can be compressively deformed into a crushed shape by applying a compressive force along the barrel axis J2. This compressive deformation of the barrel 51 allows the inner barrel 5 to be made more compact, reducing the space occupied by the inner barrel 5 during storage and transportation. Furthermore, while compressing the barrel 51, it is sufficient to apply a compressive force along the barrel axis J2, it is more desirable to apply the compressive force while twisting the barrel 51 about the barrel axis J2. This prevents any portion of the barrel 51 from protruding radially outward in its compressed, deformed state, allowing the inner barrel 5 to be more compact. Furthermore, the compressively deformed barrel 51 can be restored to its elongated cylindrical shape along the barrel axis J2 by ​​applying a tensile force along the barrel axis J2. In the state where the cylindrical body 51 is formed into a cylindrical shape in this manner, the inner tube 5 is set to the can body 6 , and the inner tube 5 is housed in the can body 6 .

[0068] The bottom plate 53 is a disc-shaped member that is joined to the other end (lower end) of the cylindrical body 51 in the axial direction (vertical direction) to close the opening 51H2 on the other end side of the cylindrical body 51. The bottom plate 53 is formed of a harder synthetic resin that is more rigid than the cylindrical body 51 and is not as flexible as the cylindrical body 51. In this embodiment, the bottom plate 53 is formed of a colored synthetic resin to facilitate differentiation from the cylindrical body 51.

[0069] The container lid 52 is formed into a circular shape when viewed from above and is joined to one axial end (upper end) of the cylindrical body 51 (in the vertical direction) to close the opening 51H1 at one end of the cylindrical body 51. Like the base plate 53, the container lid 52 is formed from a hard synthetic resin that is more rigid than the cylindrical body 51 and is not as flexible as the cylindrical body 51. In this embodiment, the container lid 52 is formed from a synthetic resin colored the same color as the base plate 53 to easily distinguish it from the cylindrical body 51.

[0070] When the inner cylinder 5 is housed in the tank body 6, the container lid 52 defines the upper space S2 between the upper side of the cylinder 51 and the opening and closing lid 62 of the tank body 6. Specifically, when the inner cylinder 5 is housed in the tank body 6, the container lid 52 is disposed so as to face the upper space S2 of the tank body 6. In this state, the container lid 52, together with the cylinder 51 and the bottom plate 53, defines the waste liquid storage space S3 below the upper space S2 for storing the sucked waste liquid WL.

[0071] The container lid 52 has a disc-shaped base 52A when viewed from above, and a cylindrical insertion portion 52B extending vertically downward from the underside of the base 52A, closer to the inner side than the outer periphery. The base 52A and the insertion portion 52B are integrally formed in the container lid 52. The container lid 52 is joined to one end (the upper end) of the cylindrical body 51, with the insertion portion 52B inserted into the cylindrical body 51 and the outer periphery of the insertion portion 52B in close contact with the inner periphery of the cylindrical body 51.

[0072] The container lid 52 includes a base portion 52A having a flange portion 521 , a waste liquid introduction port 522 , a waste liquid discharge port 523 , a communication port 526 , a waste liquid treatment agent storage portion 524 , and a gripping member 525 .

[0073] The flange 521 is the portion that projects radially outward relative to the insertion portion 52B of the base 52A when the container lid 52 is attached to one end of the cylindrical body 51. Specifically, the flange 521 projects radially outward relative to the cylindrical body 51. When the inner cylinder 5 is housed in the can body 6, the flange 521 abuts against the upper end surface portion 6121 of the upper structural portion 612 of the container body 61. Furthermore, when the opening and closing lid 62 of the can body 6 is in the closed position, the flange 521 is sandwiched between the abutment portion 6241 of the closed surface portion 624 of the opening and closing lid 62 and the upper end surface portion 6121 of the upper structural portion 612. Specifically, the flange 521 has a press-fit portion that, when the opening and closing lid 62 is in the closed position, is sandwiched between the first seal 6126A and the second seal 6241B, bringing the two seals into contact. As described above, the sealing surface portion 624 of the opening and closing cover 62 has a shape formed by partially cutting away a circle corresponding to the cutout portion 623. Therefore, the lower side of the flange portion 521 is pressed against the first seal 6126A over its entire circumference, while the upper side of the flange portion 521, excluding the portion corresponding to the cutout portion 623, is pressed against the second seal 6241B. In other words, the portion of the flange portion 521 where the first seal 6126A and the second seal 6241B are pressed against each other is the portion remaining except for the portion corresponding to the cutout portion 623.

[0074] The flange portion 521 is formed with a plurality of through-holes 5211 extending through the flange portion 521 in the thickness direction (vertical direction). These through-holes 5211 are located inward of the flange portion 521 relative to the crimping portion and connect the suction space S1 of the can 6 with the upper space S2. Consequently, the suction force of the suction source 2 creates a negative pressure in the suction space S1, and the upper space S2 is also maintained at a negative pressure. The portion of the flange portion 521 corresponding to the cutout 623 is not provided with through-holes 5211.

[0075] The communication port 526 is a port extending in the vertical direction and is provided through the container lid 52 radially inward relative to the cylindrical body 51 when the container lid 52 is attached to one end of the cylindrical body 51. When the opening and closing lid 62 of the tank body 6 is in the closed position, the upper end of the communication port 526 is located within the upper space S2 formed above the inner cylinder 5 housed within the container body 61. Meanwhile, the lower end of the communication port 526 is located within the waste liquid storage space S3 of the cylindrical body 51. In other words, the communication port 526 connects the waste liquid storage space S3 of the cylindrical body 51, which corresponds to the interior of the inner cylinder 5, with the upper space S2 formed above the inner cylinder 5. As a result, as the suction force of the suction source 2 creates a negative pressure in the suction space S1 and the upper space S2, the waste liquid storage space S3 of the cylindrical body 51 is also set to a negative pressure.

[0076] Furthermore, the communication port 526 is provided with a liquid-stop filter at its lower end. In the inner tube 5, when the liquid level of the waste liquid WL contained in the waste liquid storage space S3 of the barrel 51 reaches the liquid-stop filter provided at the lower end of the communication port 526, the waste liquid WL contained in the waste liquid storage space S3 becomes full. The waste liquid discharge port 523 is a port extending vertically and extending through the container lid 52, radially inward relative to the barrel 51, when the container lid 52 is attached to the upper end of the barrel 51. The waste liquid discharge port 523 is used to discharge the waste liquid WL contained in the inner tube 5 (the waste liquid storage space S3 of the barrel 51) when the inner tube 5 is removed from the tank 6. A gripping member 525 is attached to the container lid 52. Medical personnel, such as nurses, can remove the inner tube 5 from the tank 6 by gripping the gripping member 525.

[0077] The waste liquid inlet port 522 is a port extending in the vertical direction and is provided on the radially inner side relative to the cylinder 51 and penetrates the container cover 52 when the container cover 52 is connected to one end of the cylinder 51. In the present embodiment, the waste liquid inlet port 522 and the waste liquid discharge port 523 are in a symmetrical positional relationship with a virtual plane containing the cylinder axis J2 of the cylinder 51 as a reference. More preferably, the waste liquid inlet port 522 and the waste liquid discharge port 523 are in a point-symmetrical positional relationship with the center of the container cover 52 arranged on the cylinder axis J2 as a symmetrical point when the container cover 52 is viewed from above. In other words, when the container cover 52 is viewed from above, the waste liquid inlet port 522 and the waste liquid discharge port 523 are arranged facing each other on a virtual line passing through the center of the container cover 52.

[0078] When the opening and closing cover 62 of the tank body 6 is arranged in the closed position, the waste liquid inlet port 522 protrudes upward from the container cover 52 in a manner exposed from the cutout portion 623. The waste liquid inlet port 522 is connected to the second path member 32 of the suction path portion 3. After the waste liquid receiving space S3 of the inner cylinder 5 is set to a negative pressure by the suction force of the suction source 2 corresponding to the suction space S1 and the upper space S2 and becomes a negative pressure, the waste liquid inlet port 522 introduces the waste liquid WL sucked from the suction starting point 33 into the waste liquid receiving space S3. That is, when the waste liquid receiving space S3 of the inner cylinder 5 is set to a negative pressure based on the suction force of the suction source 2, the waste liquid WL sucked from the suction starting point 33 flows (towards) in the second path member 32 and the waste liquid inlet port 522. Figure 1 The waste liquid flows in the direction of arrow H2) and is received in the waste liquid receiving space S3 of the inner cylinder 5.

[0079] The waste liquid treatment agent storage portion 524 is a portion of the container lid 52 that stores a waste liquid treatment agent for treating the waste liquid WL contained in the waste liquid storage space S3. The waste liquid treatment agent storage portion 524 is arranged at the center of the container lid 52, radially inward relative to the cylindrical body 51, and inward relative to the waste liquid inlet port 522, the waste liquid discharge port 523, and the communication port 526.

[0080] Examples of the waste liquid treatment agent stored in the waste liquid treatment agent storage section 524 include coagulants and flocculants. A coagulant is a treatment agent that can coagulate the waste liquid WL. Solid forms such as powdered, granular, and block coagulants can be used. However, to maximize the contact area with the waste liquid WL, the coagulant is preferably in powdered or granular form. After the coagulant is added to the waste liquid WL stored in the waste liquid storage space S3 of the inner cylinder 5, the waste liquid WL is coagulated by the coagulant. On the other hand, a flocculant is a treatment agent that can flocculate components contained in the waste liquid WL and form flocs within the waste liquid storage space S3 of the inner cylinder 5. Specifically, a flocculant flocculates, for example, red blood cells (cellular components) contained in blood and proteins contained in plasma (liquid components). Solid forms such as powdered, granular, and block coagulants can be used. However, to facilitate dispersion into the waste liquid WL, the flocculant is preferably in powdered or granular form. After the flocculant is added to the waste liquid WL contained in the waste liquid storage space S3 of the inner cylinder 5, the components contained in the waste liquid WL settle as flocs within the waste liquid storage space S3 due to the flocculant. As a result, the waste liquid WL is separated into a clear liquid and flocs within the waste liquid storage space S3.

[0081] The waste liquid treatment agent container 524 includes a container body 5241 constituting a main portion for storing the waste liquid treatment agent; a first covering member 5242 and a second covering member 5243 joined to the container body 5241 ; and a protective film 5244 provided to cover the second covering member 5243 .

[0082] The storage body 5241 has a first opening 524H1 that faces and opens to the upper space S2 of the tank body 6; and a second opening 524H2 that faces and opens to the waste liquid storage space S3 of the cylinder body 51 and is opposite to the first opening 524H1. Furthermore, the storage body 5241 defines a treatment agent storage space S5 for storing waste liquid treatment agent between the first opening 524H1 and the second opening 524H2. In the storage body 5241, the second opening 524H2 serves as a discharge port for discharging the waste liquid treatment agent stored in the treatment agent storage space S5 into the waste liquid storage space S3, and is configured to have a smaller opening area than the first opening 524H1. The storage body 5241 is formed by a portion that is recessed downward in the center of the base 52A of the container lid 52. Therefore, when the container cover 52 is joined to one end (upper end) of the cylindrical body 51, the storage body 5241 protrudes toward the waste liquid storage space S3 relative to the one end of the cylindrical body 51. In other words, the storage body 5241 is disposed within the waste liquid storage space S3 of the cylindrical body 51. This reduces the portion protruding upward relative to the container cover 52, thereby reducing the overall height of the inner cylinder 5. Furthermore, the storage body 5241 is integrally formed with the container cover 52. Therefore, the storage body 5241 is formed from a hard synthetic resin.

[0083] The first covering member 5242 is a member joined to the housing body 5241 so as to cover the first opening 524H1. Figure 3 As shown, when the opening and closing cover 62 of the tank body 6 is configured in the open position and the negative pressure of the upper space S2 is released, the first covering member 5242 is exposed. In this state, a medical professional such as a nurse applies a pressing force to press the first covering member 5242 downward.

[0084] The first covering member 5242 is made of a material (synthetic resin) capable of plastic deformation in the vertical direction. Specifically, when the upper space S2 of the tank body 6 is under negative pressure, the first covering member 5242 plastically deforms upward due to the suction force. On the other hand, when the opening and closing cover 62 is in the open position, releasing the negative pressure in the upper space S2, the first covering member 5242 plastically deforms downward due to downward pressure applied by medical personnel such as nurses.

[0085] Here, as described above, a pressing portion 626 is provided in the recess 6242 of the opening and closing cover 62 that partitions the upper space S2 of the tank body 6. The first covering member 5242 contacts the pressing portion 626 when it is plastically deformed to a predetermined height position based on the suction force generated by the negative pressure of the upper space S2. As a result, the first covering member 5242 is restricted from being plastically deformed upward by the suction force generated by the negative pressure of the upper space S2 to a value greater than a predetermined value. In addition, the protruding length of the pressing portion 626 relative to the recess 6242 is set as follows: when the opening and closing cover 62 is arranged in the closed position and the upper space S2 is not set to a negative pressure, a gap GA is formed between the pressing portion 626 and the first covering member 5242 (refer to Figure 5 That is, when the inner tube 5 is housed in the can body 6 and the opening and closing cover 62 is swung from the open position to the closed position, the pressing portion 626 is prevented from contacting the first covering member 5242. This prevents the first covering member 5242 from being damaged by the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing cover 62.

[0086] The second covering member 5243 is a member joined to the storage body 5241 so as to cover the second opening 524H2. Unlike the first covering member 5242, the second covering member 5243 is made of a material that minimizes plastic deformation. The second covering member 5243 is made, for example, of paper. The second covering member 5243 does not plastically deform due to the suction force when the waste liquid storage space S3 of the cylinder 51 is set to a negative pressure, and does not plastically deform and rupture when the pressing force is applied to the first covering member 5242. Specifically, when a downward pressing force is applied to the first covering member 5242, the second covering member 5243 ruptures due to the pressing force transmitted via the waste liquid treatment agent. Upon rupture of the second covering member 5243, the covering of the second opening 524H2 by the second covering member 5243 is released. Thus, the waste liquid treating agent stored in the treating agent storing space S5 of the storing body 5241 is added to the waste liquid storing space S3 of the cylinder 51 through the second opening 524H2 .

[0087] In addition, the storage body 5241 can be as Figure 12 and Figure 13 In this case, a second covering member 5243 may be provided for each of the plurality of second openings 524H2, or a single second covering member 5243 may be provided to cover the entire plurality of second openings 524H2.

[0088] Furthermore, the second covering member 5243 is configured to restrict the flow of waste liquid WL contained in the waste liquid storage space S3 of the cylindrical body 51 from the treatment agent storage space S5. Specifically, the second covering member 5243 does not include a through hole that connects the waste liquid storage space S3 with the treatment agent storage space S5. This prevents deterioration of the waste liquid treatment agent contained in the treatment agent storage space S5 due to contact with the waste liquid WL.

[0089] In addition, the first covering member 5242 has a pressing position indicator 52421 that serves as a mark for the application position of the pressing force applied by medical personnel such as nurses. The number of the pressing position indicator 52421 provided corresponds to the number of the second openings 524H2 of the storage body 5241. For example, when two second openings 524H2 are provided in the storage body 5241, two pressing position indicator 52421 are provided accordingly. In the first covering member 5242, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown, the pressing position indicator 52421 is positioned directly above the second opening 524H2. Thus, when a downward pressing force is applied to the first covering member 5242 using the pressing position indicator 52421 as a guide, the downward pressing force is effectively transmitted to the second covering member 5243. Therefore, when the pressing force is applied to the first covering member 5242, the second covering member 5243 is more reliably ruptured, allowing the waste liquid treatment agent to be appropriately added to the waste liquid storage space S3 of the cylinder 51 through the second opening 524H2.

[0090] The protective film 5244 is provided to cover the second covering member 5243 from the waste liquid storage space S3 side and protects the second covering member 5243. The protective film 5244 prevents the second covering member 5243 from rupturing due to a portion of the cylinder 51 contacting the second covering member 5243 when the cylinder 51 is compressed and deformed during storage or transportation of the inner cylinder 5, thereby protecting the second covering member 5243. The protective film 5244 is fixed to the storage body 5241 in a manner that allows for flexible opening and closing based on the weight of the waste liquid treatment agent. This ensures that if the second covering member 5243 ruptures due to the pressure applied to the first covering member 5242, the discharge of the waste liquid treatment agent through the second opening 524H2 is not hindered.

[0091] In the inner cylinder 5 having the above structure, the waste liquid storage space S3 of the cylinder body 51 is negatively pressurized by the suction force of the suction source 2, corresponding to the suction space S1 and the upper space S2 of the tank body 6. As a result, the sucked waste liquid WL is stored in the waste liquid storage space S3. At this time, the first covering member 5242, which covers the first opening 524H1 in the waste liquid treatment agent storage section 524 and faces and opens to the upper space S2, plastically deforms upward due to the suction force generated by the negative pressure of the upper space S2. Therefore, the second covering member 5243, which covers the second opening 524H2 of the storage body 5241, is not subjected to the force from above, and its rupture is limited. This prevents the waste liquid treatment agent from being released from the treatment agent storage space S5 of the storage body 5241 during the suction of the waste liquid WL into the waste liquid storage space S3 of the inner cylinder 5.

[0092] On the other hand, when the opening and closing cover 62 of the tank body 6 is opened and the negative pressure in the upper space S2 is released, when a downward pressing force is applied to the first covering member 5242, this pressing force is transmitted to the second covering member 5243 via the waste liquid treatment agent. As a result, after the second covering member 5243 ruptures, the covering of the second opening 524H2 by the second covering member 5243 is released. As a result, the waste liquid treatment agent stored in the treatment agent storage space S5 of the storage body 5241 is added to the waste liquid storage space S3 of the cylinder body 51 through the second opening 524H2.

[0093] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the following modified embodiments may be adopted, for example.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the first covering member 5242 constituting the waste liquid treatment agent storage portion 524 is described as a single-layer structure, but it is not limited to such a structure. The first covering member 5242 may also be composed of Figures 14 to 16 It is composed of a stacked structure including a lower film 5242A and an upper film 5242B as shown.

[0095] In the laminated first covering member 5242, the lower film 5242A is a layer bonded to the storage body 5241 so as to cover the first opening 524H1, and the upper film 5242B is a layer adhered to the lower film 5242A. By providing the first covering member 5242 with a laminated structure, the design freedom for the plastic deformation of the first covering member 5242, namely, the upward plastic deformation due to the suction force generated by the negative pressure in the upper space S2 and the downward plastic deformation due to the applied pressing force, can be increased.

[0096] The upper film 5242B has a gripping portion 5242BA, and can be peeled off from the lower film 5242A while gripping the gripping portion 5242BA. The lower film 5242A has a plurality of through holes 5242C.

[0097] For example, assume that a flocculant is used as a waste liquid treatment agent added to the waste liquid WL contained in the waste liquid storage space S3 of the cylinder 51. In this case, after the flocculant is added to the waste liquid WL contained in the waste liquid storage space S3, the components contained in the waste liquid WL are precipitated as flocs in the waste liquid storage space S3 based on the flocculant. As a result, the waste liquid WL is separated into a clear liquid and flocs in the waste liquid storage space S3. When discharging such a clear liquid, it is sufficient to peel off the upper film 5242B relative to the lower film 5242A and expose the lower film 5242A having a plurality of through holes 5242C (see FIG. 5 ). Figure 16 Thus, the clear liquid can be discharged by passing only the clear liquid through the through-hole 5242C and separating it from the flocs through filtration.

[0098] The above-mentioned specific embodiments mainly include inventions having the following configurations.

[0099] According to one aspect of the present invention, a waste liquid storage container is housed in a container housing and is capable of storing designated waste liquid. The container housing includes a container body and an opening and closing cover. The container body is in the shape of a bottomed container and has an upper opening that opens upward. The opening and closing cover is supported by the container body so as to open and close the upper opening. The waste liquid storage container includes: a cylindrical body disposed within the container body and having an opening at the top; a container cover coupled to the upper end of the cylindrical body, defining an upper space between the cylindrical body and the opening and closing cover, and defining a waste liquid storage space together with the cylindrical body on the lower side of the upper space. The waste liquid storage space stores waste liquid that is sucked in based on the waste liquid storage space being connected to the upper space and set to a negative pressure; and a waste liquid treatment agent storage portion disposed on the container cover and storing a waste liquid treatment agent for treating the waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage space. The waste liquid treatment agent storage portion includes: a storage body having a first opening facing and opening toward the upper space and a second opening facing and opening toward the waste liquid storage space, the first opening and the second opening defining a treatment agent storage space for storing the waste liquid treatment agent; a first covering member joined to the storage body so as to cover the first opening; and a second covering member joined to the storage body so as to cover the second opening. The first covering member is made of a material that plastically deforms upward due to suction when the upper space is under negative pressure, and plastically deforms downward due to downward pressure when the opening and closing cover is opened and the negative pressure in the upper space is released. The second covering member is made of a material that does not plastically deform due to suction when the waste liquid storage space is under negative pressure, and does not plastically deform and rupture when the pressing force is applied to the first covering member.

[0100] According to the waste liquid storage container, as the upper space divided between the container storage container and the opening and closing cover on the upper side of the cylinder is set to negative pressure, the waste liquid storage space divided by the cylinder and the container cover on the lower side of the upper space becomes negative pressure, thereby, the sucked waste liquid is stored in the waste liquid storage space. At this time, the first covering member covering the first opening facing and opening the upper space in the waste liquid treatment agent storage part is plastically deformed toward the upper side based on the suction force generated by the negative pressure of the upper space. Therefore, the second covering member covering the second opening of the storage body will not receive the force from the upper side, and the rupture is limited. As a result, it is possible to prevent the waste liquid treatment agent from being released from the treatment agent storage space of the storage body during the suction of the waste liquid into the waste liquid storage space of the waste liquid storage container.

[0101] On the other hand, when the container housing's opening and closing lid is opened, releasing the negative pressure in the upper space, and a downward pressure is applied to the first covering member, the pressure is transmitted to the second covering member via the waste liquid treatment agent. Consequently, after the second covering member ruptures, the second covering member's covering of the second opening is released. As a result, the waste liquid treatment agent stored in the treatment agent storage space of the storage body is added to the waste liquid storage space of the cylindrical body via the second opening.

[0102] In the above-mentioned waste liquid storage container, the second covering member may be configured to restrict the waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage space from passing into the treatment agent storage space.

[0103] In this technical solution, the second covering member can restrict the flow of waste liquid contained in the waste liquid storage space of the cylindrical body from the waste liquid storage space to the treatment agent storage space of the waste liquid treatment agent storage portion. This prevents the waste liquid treatment agent contained in the treatment agent storage space from deteriorating due to contact with the waste liquid.

[0104] In the above-mentioned waste liquid storage container, in the storage body, the second opening can be set in a manner that the opening area is smaller than the first opening, and the first covering member can have a pressing position indicator portion arranged at a position directly above the second opening, and the pressing position indicator portion is a portion that marks the position where the pressing force is applied.

[0105] In this technical solution, a pressing position indicator is positioned in the first covering member directly above the second opening covered by the second covering member. Thus, when a downward pressing force is applied to the first covering member using the pressing position indicator as a guide, the force is effectively transmitted to the second covering member. Consequently, when the pressing force is applied to the first covering member, the second covering member is more reliably ruptured, allowing the waste liquid treatment agent to be appropriately added to the waste liquid storage space of the cartridge body through the second opening.

[0106] In the above waste liquid storage container, the first covering member may be composed of a laminated structure including a lower film and an upper film, the lower film being bonded to the storage body so as to cover the first opening, and the upper film being adhered to the lower film.

[0107] In this technical solution, by setting the first covering member to a stacked structure, the design freedom of the plastic deformation of the first covering member, i.e., the plastic deformation toward the upper side based on the suction force generated by the negative pressure in the upper space and the plastic deformation toward the lower side based on the applied pressing force, can be improved.

[0108] In the above-mentioned waste liquid storage container, the upper film can be peeled off from the lower film, and the lower film may have a plurality of through holes.

[0109] For example, assume that a flocculant is used as a waste liquid treatment agent added to the waste liquid contained in the waste liquid storage space of a cylindrical body. In this case, after the flocculant is added to the waste liquid contained in the waste liquid storage space, the components contained in the waste liquid are precipitated as flocs in the waste liquid storage space based on the flocculant. As a result, the waste liquid is separated into a clear liquid and flocs in the waste liquid storage space. When discharging such a clear liquid, it is sufficient to peel off the upper film relative to the lower film and expose the lower film having multiple through-holes. In this way, the clear liquid can be discharged by filtering it through the through-holes so that only the clear liquid passes through the through-holes and is separated from the flocs.

[0110] In the above-mentioned waste liquid storage container, the storage body may protrude toward the waste liquid storage space relative to the upper end of the cylindrical body.

[0111] In this technical solution, when the container cover is connected to the upper end of the cylinder, the storage body protrudes toward the waste liquid storage space of the cylinder. This can reduce the portion protruding upward relative to the container cover, thereby reducing the overall height of the waste liquid storage container.

[0112] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a waste liquid storage device comprising: a container receiving container, comprising a container body and an opening and closing cover, wherein the container body is in the shape of a bottomed container and has an upper opening opening upward, and the opening and closing cover is supported by the container body so as to open and close the upper opening; and the above-mentioned waste liquid receiving container is received in the container receiving container and is capable of receiving specified waste liquid.

[0113] In the waste liquid storage device, the opening and closing cover has a pressing portion for restricting plastic deformation of the first covering member in the waste liquid storage container upward due to suction force generated by negative pressure in the upper space from exceeding a predetermined value.

[0114] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned waste liquid storage container, the pressing portion is provided in such a manner that when the first covering member is plastically deformed to a predetermined height position due to a suction force generated by the negative pressure in the upper space, the pressing portion comes into contact with the first covering member.

[0115] According to this waste liquid storage device, the first covering member contacts the pressing portion when it plastically deforms to a predetermined height position due to the suction force generated by the negative pressure in the upper space. Thus, when the first covering member plastically deforms upward due to the suction force generated by the negative pressure in the upper space, the pressing portion can prevent the plastic deformation from exceeding a predetermined value and causing excessive deformation.

[0116] A waste liquid suction system according to another aspect of the present invention is configured to suction a designated waste liquid and store the sucked waste liquid. The waste liquid suction system includes: a suction source; a suction path portion forming a suction path from a suction starting point, which serves as a suction starting point for the waste liquid, to the suction source; and the waste liquid reservoir disposed on the suction path between the suction starting point and the suction source and configured to store the waste liquid sucked from the suction starting point based on the suction force of the suction source.

[0117] As described above, according to the present invention, a waste liquid storage container including a waste liquid treatment agent storage portion can be provided, which can prevent the waste liquid treatment agent from being released from the waste liquid treatment agent storage portion during waste liquid suction, a waste liquid storage device including the waste liquid storage container, and a waste liquid suction system.

Claims

1. A waste liquid storage container, characterized in that The waste liquid storage container is accommodated in a container and is capable of accommodating specified waste liquid. The container comprises a container body and an opening and closing cover. The container body is in the shape of a bottomed container and has an upper opening that opens upward. The opening and closing cover is supported by the container body so as to open and close the upper opening. The waste liquid storage container comprises: a cylindrical body, disposed in the container body and having an opening at the top; a container cover body connected to the upper end of the cylindrical body, defining an upper space between the upper side of the cylindrical body and the opening and closing cover body, and defining a waste liquid receiving space together with the cylindrical body on the lower side of the upper space, the waste liquid receiving space receiving waste liquid sucked in by the waste liquid receiving space being connected to the upper space and set to a negative pressure; and The waste liquid treatment agent storage portion is provided on the container cover and stores the waste liquid treatment agent, which is used to treat the waste liquid contained in the waste liquid storage space; wherein, The waste liquid treatment agent storage unit includes: a storage body having a first opening facing and opening to the upper space and a second opening facing and opening to the waste liquid storage space, and defining a treatment agent storage space for storing the waste liquid treatment agent between the first opening and the second opening; a first covering member joined to the housing body so as to cover the first opening; and The second covering member is joined to the storage body in a manner covering the second opening; wherein, The first covering member is made of a material that is plastically deformed upward by a suction force when the upper space is under negative pressure, and plastically deformed downward by a downward pressing force when the opening and closing cover is opened and the negative pressure in the upper space is released. The second covering member is made of a material that does not plastically deform due to a suction force when the waste liquid storage space is at a negative pressure, and does not plastically deform and rupture when the pressing force is applied to the first covering member.

2. The waste liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein: The second covering member is configured to restrict the waste liquid contained in the waste liquid containing space from passing into the treatment agent containing space.

3. The waste liquid storage container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In the storage body, the second opening is provided in a manner that the opening area is smaller than that of the first opening. The first covering member includes a pressing position indicator portion provided at a position directly above the second opening, the pressing position indicator portion being a portion that marks a position where the pressing force is applied.

4. The waste liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein The first covering member is composed of a laminated structure including a lower film and an upper film. The lower film is joined to the storage body so as to cover the first opening, and the upper film is adhered to the lower film.

5. The waste liquid storage container according to claim 4, characterized in that: The upper film can be peeled relative to the lower film, The lower film has a plurality of through holes.

6. The waste liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein: The storage body protrudes toward the waste liquid storage space relative to the upper end of the cylindrical body.

7. A waste liquid storage container, characterized in that include: A container storage container comprising a container body and an opening and closing cover, wherein the container body is in the shape of a bottomed container and has an upper opening opening upward, and the opening and closing cover is supported by the container body so as to open and close the upper opening; as well as, The waste liquid storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is stored in the container storage container and can store designated waste liquid.

8. The waste liquid storage container according to claim 7, characterized in that: In the container receiving container, the opening and closing cover includes a pressing portion that restricts plastic deformation of the first covering member in the waste liquid storage container toward the upper side due to a suction force generated by negative pressure in the upper space from exceeding a predetermined value.

9. The waste liquid storage container according to claim 8, characterized in that The pressing portion is provided so as to come into contact with the first covering member when the first covering member is plastically deformed to a predetermined height position by a suction force generated by the negative pressure in the upper space.

10. A waste liquid suction system, characterized in that The waste liquid suction system is configured to suck designated waste liquid and is capable of storing the sucked waste liquid, and comprises: Suction source; a suction path portion constituting a suction path from a suction starting point portion serving as a suction starting point of the waste liquid to the suction source; and The waste liquid storage device according to any one of claims 7 to 9 is arranged between the suction starting point and the suction source on the suction path, and is configured to store the waste liquid sucked from the suction starting point based on the suction force of the suction source.

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