cap mounting device

Abstract

A cap mounting device and a cover plate are provided. The cap mounting device includes a cap holding portion, a sample bottle placement portion, a cap pressing lever, and a driving portion. The cap holding portion holds a cover plate on which a cap is held, in a manner capable of being raised and lowered between a first height and a second height below the first height. The sample bottle placement portion is provided below the cap holding portion. A sample bottle plate on which a sample bottle on which a pressing cap corresponding to the cap is held is placed is placed on the sample bottle placement portion. The cap pressing lever is provided above the cap holding portion and extends in the up-down direction. The driving portion raises and lowers the cap pressing lever in a manner to press the cap held by the cover plate downward when the cap holding portion is at the second height.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cover mounting device and a cover plate. Background Technology

[0002] In analytical apparatuses, there are instances where samples are pretreated using containers such as centrifuge sedimentation tubes before analysis. As containers, threaded sample vials with screw-on caps are used. Furthermore, a device for attaching and detaching the caps of these threaded sample vials has been developed.

[0003] For example, in the lid opening and closing device described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-226484, a sample container is held by a pair of grippers that grasp the opening and closing drive unit, and the lid is held by a robotic arm. In this state, the lid is installed or removed by rotating the gripping opening and closing drive unit. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In recent years, for ease of operation, there have been instances where press-cap sample bottles, which can be inserted by pressing the cap from above, have been used instead of threaded cap sample bottles as sample containers. However, when pressing the cap, it is easy for the cap to tilt, making it difficult to properly install the cap onto the press-cap sample bottle. Therefore, there is a need to develop a cap mounting device that can install the cap onto the press-cap sample bottle.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cap mounting device and cap plate capable of mounting a cap onto a press-cap sample bottle.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to a cap mounting device, comprising: a cap holding portion configured to be movable between a first height and a second height below the first height, for holding a cap plate; a sample bottle holding portion disposed below the cap holding portion, for holding a sample bottle plate holding a press-cap sample bottle corresponding to the cap; a cap pressing rod disposed above the cap holding portion and extending in a vertical direction; and a driving portion that, when the cap holding portion is at the second height, causes the cap pressing rod to move up and down in a manner that presses the cap held by the cap plate downward.

[0007] Other embodiments of the present invention relate to a cover plate used by the cover mounting device, the cover plate comprising: a cover body mounted on the press-cap sample bottle; and a cylindrical filter portion extending downward from the cover body, the cover plate comprising: a body plate having a second opening for the cover body to be inserted; and a filter retaining membrane having a third opening abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the filter portion and disposed at the lower part of the body plate.

[0008] According to the present invention, the cap can be pressed vertically against the press-cap sample bottle, thus allowing the cap to be properly installed. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the appearance of the cover mounting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a side view showing the structure of the lifting unit.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the cover mounting device used to illustrate the structure of the cover support unit.

[0012] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional diagram showing the structure of the cover plate.

[0013] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the cover and sample bottle plate.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing the cover and sample bottle in the installed state.

[0015] Figure 7 This diagram is used to illustrate the operation of the cover mounting device.

[0016] Figure 8 This diagram is used to illustrate the operation of the cover mounting device.

[0017] Figure 9 This diagram is used to illustrate the operation of the cover mounting device.

[0018] Figure 10 This diagram is used to illustrate the operation of the cover mounting device.

[0019] Figure 11 This is a side view showing a cover that functions as a filter.

[0020] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the cover plate according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 13 It means Figure 12 A diagram illustrating an example of the assembly of a cover plate.

[0022] Figure 14 This is a top view of the filter retaining the membrane. Detailed Implementation

[0023] 1. First Implementation Method (1) Structure of the cover installation device Hereinafter, the cover mounting device and cover plate of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the appearance of the cover mounting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1The cap mounting device 100 is capable of mounting a cap onto a press-cap sample bottle. In the following description, the state in which the cap mounting device 100 begins to mount a cap onto a press-cap sample bottle is referred to as the standby state. Moreover, the state in which the cap mounting device 100 is about to mount a cap onto a press-cap sample bottle is referred to as the mounting state.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the cap mounting device 100 includes a base 10, a drive unit 20, a lifting unit 30, a cap support unit 40, and a sample vial holder 50. The base 10 is disposed on the mounting surface of the cap mounting device 100. The drive unit 20 includes an actuator such as a pneumatic cylinder with a telescopic drive arm. The drive unit 20 mounts the drive arm downwards to the upper part of the base 10 in a telescopic manner.

[0025] The lifting unit 30 is mounted on the base 10 in a height-adjustable manner. The lifting unit 30 is raised and lowered by the extension and retraction of the drive arm of the drive unit 20. The cap support unit 40 is also mounted on the base 10 in a height-adjustable manner. Multiple caps 200 are sequentially moved in and out relative to the cap support unit 40, for example, by a conveying arm (not shown). Each cap 200 holds multiple caps respectively mounted on multiple press-cap sample vials. Each cap has a circular outer peripheral surface. The lifting unit 30 and the cap support unit 40 will be described in detail below.

[0026] The sample vial holder 50 is located below the cap support unit 40. Multiple sample vial plates 300 are sequentially moved in and out relative to the sample vial holder 50, for example, via a conveyor belt (not shown). Multiple press-cap sample vials are held on each sample vial plate 300. The sample vial holder 50 holds the moved-in sample vial plates 300, and multiple caps are respectively installed on the multiple press-cap sample vials. Each press-cap sample vial has a circular outer peripheral surface. The sample vial holder 50 may also be part of the conveyor belt.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a side view showing the structure of the lifting unit 30. (Example) Figure 2 As shown, the lifting unit 30 includes a support plate 31, a support plate 32, multiple spring components 33, multiple spring components 34, multiple cover pressing rods 35, and multiple plate pressing rods 36. The support plate 31 is mounted in a lifting manner. Figure 1 The base 10. The upper part of the support plate 31 is connected to... Figure 1 The drive arm of the drive unit 20. The support plate 32 is disposed below the support plate 31 and is connected to the support plate 31 by multiple connecting members. The support plate 31 and the support plate 32 are collectively referred to as the support unit.

[0028] Multiple spring members 33 are arranged to correspond to multiple cover pressing rods 35 respectively. Multiple spring members 34 are arranged to correspond to multiple plate pressing rods 36 respectively. In this example, the cover mounting device 100 includes four cover pressing rods 35 and two plate pressing rods 36. Therefore, in this example, four spring members 33 and two spring members 34 are provided. In their extended state, each spring member 33, 34 supports the upper part of the corresponding cover pressing rod 35 or plate pressing rod 36 on the support plate 31 and support plate 32.

[0029] Each cover pressing rod 35 is, for example, cylindrical in shape and extends vertically. In this example, four cover pressing rods 35 are arranged in two rows and two columns. As described above, the upper part of each cover pressing rod 35 is supported by support plates 31 and 32 via spring members 33. The lower part of each cover pressing rod 35 protrudes below the support plate 32.

[0030] In this example, two plate pressing rods 36 are positioned between two diagonally opposite cover pressing rods 35 among the four cover pressing rods 35. Each plate pressing rod 36 includes a base end 36a and a front end 36b. Each base end 36a has a cylindrical shape and extends in the vertical direction. The upper part of each base end 36a is supported by support plates 31 and 32 via spring members 34. The lower part of the base end 36a protrudes below the support plate 32.

[0031] The front end portion 36b has a cylindrical shape with a diameter smaller than that of the base end portion 36a, extending downward from the center of the lower end face of the base end portion 36a. Thus, each plate pressing rod 36 is located below the support plate 32, and includes a stepped portion 36c between the base end portion 36a and the front end portion 36b. The base end portion 36a is longer than the cover pressing rod 35 in the vertical direction. Therefore, in the standby state of the cover mounting device 100, the lower end face of the base end portion 36a, i.e., the stepped portion 36c, is located below the lower end face of the cover pressing rod 35. Furthermore, the lower end portion of each front end portion 36b includes a tapered surface 36d whose diameter continuously decreases downward.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the cover mounting device 100 used to explain the structure of the cover support unit 40. (See diagram below.) Figure 3 As shown, the cover support unit 40 includes a lifting frame 41, a cover retaining part 42, multiple connecting rods 43, multiple lifting plates 44, multiple fixing plates 45, and multiple spring members 46. The lifting frame 41 is mounted on the base 10 in a lifting manner. An opening is formed in the center of the lifting frame 41 through which the lower part of the lifting unit 30 can pass.

[0033] The cover retainer 42 holds the cover plate 200. In this example, the cover retainer 42 is a platform on which the cover plate 200 is placed. An opening is formed in the center of the cover retainer 42, exposing a portion of the lower surface of the placed cover plate 200. The cover retainer 42 is positioned below the lifting frame 41 and is connected to the lifting frame 41 by a plurality of (e.g., four) connecting rods 43. Therefore, the cover retainer 42 can be raised and lowered integrally with the lifting frame 41.

[0034] Multiple (two in this example) lifting plates 44 each include a vertical portion 44a and a horizontal portion 44b, having an inverted L-shaped cross-section. In this example, the vertical portions 44a of the two lifting plates 44 are respectively mounted on both sides of the lifting frame 41. Thus, the multiple lifting plates 44 can be raised and lowered integrally with the lifting frame 41. The horizontal portions 44b of each lifting plate 44 protrude laterally from the lifting frame 41.

[0035] Each fixing plate 45 has a flat plate shape. Multiple fixing plates 45 correspond to multiple lifting plates 44. Each fixing plate 45 is positioned below the horizontal portion 44b of its corresponding lifting plate 44 and is fixed to the base 10. A spring member 46 is provided between the horizontal portion 44b of each lifting plate 44 and its corresponding fixing plate 45. Multiple spring members 46 can be arranged side-by-side.

[0036] In their extended state, each spring member 46 pushes its corresponding lifting plate 44 upward. Thus, the lifting frame 41 and the cover holding part 42 are constantly subjected to an upward force due to the multiple spring members 46, across the multiple lifting plates 44. In the standby state of the cover mounting device 100, the upper surface of the horizontal portion 44b of each lifting plate 44 abuts against the mechanical stop provided on the base 10. In this example, the resultant force of the load generated by the multiple spring members 46 is less than that of the multiple spring members 34 of the lifting unit 30. Figure 2 The resultant force of the load generated.

[0037] (2) Cover plate and sample bottle plate Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional view showing the structure of cover plate 200. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the cover plate 200 and the sample bottle plate 300. For example... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the cover plate 200 includes a generally rectangular body plate 210 with a specified thickness. In this example, the thickness of the body plate 210 is greater than... Figure 2 The length of the front end 36b of the plate pressing rod 36 is greater than the height of the cover 110.

[0038] Multiple circular openings 211 extending along the thickness direction are formed in the body plate 210. The openings 211 are examples of a second opening. The diameter of each opening 211 is slightly larger than the diameter of the cover 110. The multiple openings 211 are regularly arranged along one pair of sides and the other pair of sides of the body plate 210 when viewed from above. The four openings 211 arranged in two rows and two columns correspond to... Figure 2 The four cover press levers are 35.

[0039] Furthermore, a plurality of circular openings 212 are formed on the upper surface of the body plate 210. The opening 212 is an example of a first opening. In this example, two openings 212 are formed between two diagonally opposite openings 211 of the four openings 211. Each pair of openings 212 corresponds to... Figure 2 Two plate pressing rods 36. The diameter of the opening 212 is larger than the diameter of the front end 36b of the plate pressing rod 36, and smaller than the diameter of the base end 36a. Furthermore, when the depth of the opening 212 is greater than the length of the front end 36b, the opening 212 can be a through hole or a bottomed hole.

[0040] Multiple covers 110 are inserted into the multiple openings 211 respectively. Thus, the multiple covers 110 are held by the body plate 210. In this example, as... Figure 4 As shown in the bubble frame, multiple (three in this example) ribs 213 extending in the vertical direction are provided at approximately equal intervals on the inner peripheral surface of each opening 211. Each cover 110 is stably held in a posture-maintaining state by abutting the outer peripheral surface of each cover 110 against the multiple ribs 213 of the corresponding opening 211.

[0041] Furthermore, the cover plate 200 holds the multiple covers 110 in place by the friction between the multiple ribs 213 and the outer peripheral surface of the cover 110. The magnitude of the friction is such that the multiple covers 110 can be held in place more reliably even when vibration is applied to them.

[0042] like Figure 5 As shown, the sample bottle plate 300 is a plate with a specified thickness. Multiple openings 301 are formed on the upper surface of the sample bottle plate 300, each corresponding to a plurality of openings 211 of the cap plate 200. Each opening 301 has a bottom hole. The diameter of each opening 301 is slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the press-cap sample bottle 120.

[0043] Multiple press-cap sample vials 120 are embedded in multiple openings 301. The multiple press-cap sample vials 120 are thus held by a sample vial plate 300. In this example, the depth of each opening 301 is less than the height of the press-cap sample vial 120. Therefore, the upper part of each press-cap sample vial 120 held by the sample vial plate 300 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the sample vial plate 300.

[0044] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing the cover plate 200 and sample bottle plate 300 in their installed state. For example... Figure 6 As shown, in the installed state, the lower surface of the cover plate 200 (the lower surface of the body plate 210) is in contact with the upper surface of the sample bottle plate 300. At this time, the plurality of caps 110 held by the cover plate 200 are respectively located above the plurality of press-cap sample bottles 120 held by the sample bottle plate 300. In this state, by pressing each cap 110 from above, the corresponding cap 110 can be installed on each press-cap sample bottle 120.

[0045] Furthermore, in this example, the maximum diameter of the press-cap sample vial 120 is approximately equal to the diameter of the cap 110. That is, the diameter of each opening 211 of the body plate 210 is approximately equal to the diameter of the opening 301 of the sample vial plate 300. Moreover, the thickness of the body plate 210 is sufficiently greater than the height of the cap 110.

[0046] According to the structure, when the cap mounting device 100 is in the installed state, the upper part of each press-cap sample bottle 120 enters the corresponding opening 211 and is surrounded by the inner circumferential surface of the opening 211. Therefore, even when each press-cap sample bottle 120 protrudes from the sample bottle plate 300, the cap plate 200 will not interfere with the press-cap sample bottle 120, and the lower surface of the cap plate 200 can contact the upper surface of the sample bottle plate 300.

[0047] (3) Operation of the cover installation device Before initiating operation of the cap mounting device 100, the user of the cap mounting device 100 inserts multiple caps 110 into the multiple openings 211 of the cap plate 200 and holds them in place, then places the cap plate 200 in a predetermined position. Similarly, the user of the cap mounting device 100 inserts multiple press-cap sample bottles 120 into the multiple openings 301 of the sample bottle plate 300 and holds them in place, then places the sample bottle plate 300 in a predetermined position.

[0048] Figures 7-10 This diagram illustrates the operation of the cover mounting device 100. (For example...) Figure 7 As shown, the cap mounting device 100 is in a standby state before it begins to mount the cap 110 onto the press-cap sample bottle 120. The height of the cap holding portion 42 at this time is an example of a first height. A conveying arm (not shown) moves the cap plate 200 from a predetermined position to the cap holding portion 42. Thus, the cap plate 200 is placed on the cap holding portion 42. In the standby state of the cap mounting device 100, the cap plate 200 placed on the cap holding portion 42 is below the lifting unit 30.

[0049] Furthermore, a conveyor belt (not shown) transports the sample bottle plate 300 from a designated position to the sample bottle placement section 50. Thus, the sample bottle plate 300 is placed in the sample bottle placement section 50. The sample bottle plate 300 placed in the sample bottle placement section 50 is positioned below the cap plate 200 placed in the cap holding section 42.

[0050] Next, through Figure 1 The drive arm of the drive unit 20 extends downward, causing the lifting unit 30 to descend. Here, Figure 2 The diameter of the front end 36b of the plate pressing rod 36 is less than Figure 4 The cover plate 200 has an opening 212. Therefore, with an opening 212 below each plate pressing rod 36, the lifting unit 30 descends and each front end 36b enters the corresponding opening 212.

[0051] Furthermore, there is sometimes a slight positional misalignment between the cover plate 200 and the lifting unit 30. Even in this case, if the lifting unit 30 descends, the position of the cover plate 200 will shift slightly so that each front end portion 36b enters the corresponding opening 212. As described above, the plate pressing rod 36 can be used for positional alignment between the cover plate 200 and the lifting unit 30.

[0052] In this example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the lower end of each front end portion 36b includes a conical surface 36d. In this case, the cover plate 200 moves along the conical surface 36d of the front end portion 36b with the inner circumferential surface of the opening 212. This allows for smoother alignment between the cover plate 200 and the lifting unit 30.

[0053] Figure 2 The diameter of the base end 36a of the plate pressing rod 36 is larger than the diameter of the opening 212. Furthermore, the depth of the opening 212 is greater than the length of the front end 36b. Moreover, the stepped portion 36c of the plate pressing rod 36 is located below the lower end face of the cover pressing rod 35. In this case, it continues to descend further via the lifting unit 30, and as... Figure 8 As shown, the stepped portion 36c of the plate pressing rod 36 contacts the upper surface of the cover plate 200.

[0054] As the lifting unit 30 continues to descend, the stepped portion 36c of the plate pressing rod 36 presses the cover holding portion 42 downward via the cover plate 200. Here, the resultant force of the load generated by the multiple spring members 46 provided in the cover support unit 40 is less than the force generated by the multiple plate pressing rods 36. Figure 2 The resultant force of the load generated by the multiple spring members 34. Therefore, if the cover retaining part 42 is pressed downward, each spring member 46 retracts, thereby causing the lifting frame 41, the cover retaining part 42 and the multiple lifting plates 44 to descend as a whole.

[0055] The lifting unit 30 continues to lower the cover, causing the cover retaining portion 42 to lower further. In this case, as... Figure 9 As shown, a portion of the lower surface of the cap plate 200 exposed from the cap holding portion 42 contacts the upper surface of the sample vial plate 300 placed on the sample vial holding portion 50. Thus, the cap mounting device 100 is in the mounted state. The height of the cap holding portion 42 at this time is an example of the second height.

[0056] With the cap mounting device 100 in the installed state, the cap 200 is locked onto the sample bottle plate 300, thereby stopping the descent of the cap 200, the lifting frame 41, the cap holding part 42, and the plurality of lifting plates 44. Therefore, if the lifting unit 30 continues to descend, Figure 2 The spring components 34 retract, and the pressing rods 36 of each plate stop in contact with the step portion 36c and the cover plate 200 and no longer descend.

[0057] On the other hand, if the lifting unit 30 continues to descend, then Figure 2 The cover pressing rods 35 continue to descend, and the lower ends of the cover pressing rods 35 enter the corresponding openings 211 of the cover plate 200. In the aforementioned case, as... Figure 10 As shown, the caps 110 in each opening 211 are pressed down from above by the corresponding cap pressing rods 35. As a result, each cap 110 passes downward through the cap plate 200 and is installed on the corresponding pressing cap sample bottle 120 held by the sample bottle plate 300.

[0058] In this example, four caps 110 are simultaneously installed on four press-cap sample bottles 120. After the caps 110 are installed on the press-cap sample bottles 120, the drive arm of the drive unit 20 retracts, thereby raising the lifting unit 30. Furthermore, the lifting frame 41, the cap holding part 42, and the multiple lifting plates 44 are raised by being pushed by multiple spring members 46. As a result, the cap mounting device 100 returns to the standby state.

[0059] The operation of the cap mounting device 100 is repeated for the other caps 110 held by the cap plate 200 and the other press-cap sample bottles 120 held by the sample bottle plate 300. This allows all caps 110 held by the cap plate 200 to be mounted on their corresponding press-cap sample bottles 120. Then, the cap plate 200 is removed from the cap holding part 42 by a conveyor arm, and the sample bottle plate 300 is removed from the sample bottle holding part 50 by a conveyor belt.

[0060] (4) Effects In the cap mounting device 100 of this embodiment, in the standby state, that is, when the cap holding portion 42 is at a first height, the cap holding portion 42 is relatively significantly separated from the sample vial holder 50. In this case, the cap plate 200 and the sample vial plate 300 do not interfere with the cap holding portion 42 and the sample vial holder 50, and can be easily moved in and out relative to the cap mounting device 100.

[0061] Furthermore, in the installed state, i.e., when the cap holding part 42 is at the second height, the cap holding part 42 and the sample vial mounting part 50 are closer together than when it is at the first height. In this state, the cap pressing rod 35 is lowered by the drive part 20, thereby pressing the cap 110 held by the cap plate 200 downward. As a result, the cap 110 is lowered from the cap plate 200, and the press-cap sample vial 120 mounted on the sample vial plate 300 is then positioned.

[0062] According to the aforementioned structure, the cap 110 can be installed on the press-cap sample bottle 120 while the cap plate 200 and the sample bottle plate 300 are sufficiently close. Therefore, when installing the cap 110 on the press-cap sample bottle 120, significant deformation of the cap 110's posture can be prevented. As a result, the cap 110 can be properly installed on the press-cap sample bottle 120.

[0063] In this example, the cap retaining part 42, at the second height, brings the lower surface of the retained cap plate 200 into contact with the upper surface of the sample bottle plate 300. In this case, the cap 110 is held by the cap plate 200 before it is installed on the press-cap sample bottle 120, thereby maintaining the position of the cap 110. This allows the cap 110 to be more properly installed on the press-cap sample bottle 120.

[0064] The lifting and lowering of the cover pressing lever 35 and the lowering of the cover holding portion 42 are achieved by a single drive unit 20. Furthermore, the cover holding portion 42 is pushed upwards by the spring member 46. With this structure, the cover holding portion 42 can be easily maintained at a first height. Moreover, there is no need for a separate actuator to lower the cover holding portion 42 from the first height to a second height, nor is there a separate actuator to raise the cover holding portion 42 from the second height to the first height. Therefore, the cost of the cover mounting device 100 can be reduced.

[0065] In this example, support plates 31 and 32 are raised and lowered by drive unit 20, thereby causing plate pressing rod 36 and cover pressing rod 35 to rise and fall together. When plate pressing rod 36 descends, cover plate 200 is pressed down from above by plate pressing rod 36, thereby lowering cover holding part 42 from a first height to a second height.

[0066] After the cap retaining part 42 descends to the second height, the lower surface of the cap plate 200 contacts the upper surface of the sample bottle plate 300, and the descent of the cap plate 200 stops. In this case, the descent of the plate pressing rod 36 stops by the contraction of the spring member 34, while the cap pressing rod 35 continues to descend. Thus, with a simple structure, the raising and lowering of the cap pressing rod 35 and the descent of the cap retaining part 42 can be performed using a single drive unit 20.

[0067] The pressing of the cover plate 200 is performed by inserting the front end 36b of the plate pressing rod 36 into the opening 212 on the upper surface of the cover plate 200 via the stepped portion 36c of the plate pressing rod 36. In this case, the plate pressing rod 36 is used for positional alignment between the cover plate 200 and the cover pressing rod 35. This allows the cap 110 to be more properly installed on the press-cap sample bottle 120. The front end 36b of the plate pressing rod 36 includes a tapered surface 36d at its lower end, thus facilitating smoother positional alignment between the cover plate 200 and the cover pressing rod 35.

[0068] 2. Second Implementation Method (1) Structure of the cover plate The cap 110 may also have a filter function to filter the liquid components contained in the press-cap sample bottle 120. Figure 11 This is a side view showing the cover 110 with a filter function. (Example) Figure 11 As shown, the cover 110 includes a cover body 111 and a filter section 112. The filter section 112 is, for example, a cylindrical member formed of resin, which is disposed on the cover body 111 in a downwardly projecting manner. A filter membrane 113 is installed at the lower end of the filter section 112.

[0069] Insert the filter section 112 Figure 5 With the sample vial 120 in its current state, the cap body 111 is installed on the sample vial 120 by pressing the cap body 111 from above. At this time, the liquid components contained in the sample vial 120 are filtered through the filter membrane 113. The filtered liquid components are stored in the filter section 112.

[0070] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the cover plate 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 The cover plate 200 is able to properly hold Figure 11 The cover 110 is configured in this manner. Hereinafter, regarding the cover 200 of this embodiment, the following will be discussed... Figure 5 The cover plate 200 of the first embodiment will be described in different aspects.

[0071] like Figure 12As shown, the cover plate 200 also includes a cover retaining membrane 220 and a filter retaining membrane 230. The cover retaining membrane 220 is formed of a thin and easily deformable material. The cover retaining membrane 220 may be formed of a resin such as polyethylene terephthalate.

[0072] A cover retaining membrane 220 is disposed on the lower part of a plurality of covers 110 held by a body plate 210. A plurality of circular openings 221 are formed in the area of ​​the cover retaining membrane 220 overlapping with each cover 110. The diameter of each opening 221 is smaller than the diameter of the cover 110 (the diameter of the cover body 111). An example of an opening 221 is a fourth opening. According to this structure, the lower end of the corresponding cover 110 abuts against the area surrounding each opening 221 on the upper surface of the cover retaining membrane 220. This stably holds each cover 110.

[0073] Furthermore, if each cover 110 is pressed downwards from above, the cover retaining membrane 220 is squeezed from above by each cover 110. In this case, the cover retaining membrane 220 undergoes elastic deformation, thereby widening each opening 221. As a result, each cover 110 slides downwards and passes through the corresponding opening 221. Consequently, each cover 110 can pass downwards through the body plate 210.

[0074] The filter retaining membrane 230 is formed of the same material as the cover retaining membrane 220 and is disposed below the cover retaining membrane 220. Multiple openings 231 are formed in the filter retaining membrane 230, each corresponding to a plurality of openings 221 in the cover retaining membrane 220. An example of an opening 231 is shown. The minimum diameter of each opening 231 is approximately equal to the diameter of the filter portion 112 of the cover 110.

[0075] When a structure such as a filter section 112 is provided at the lower part of the cap 110, if the cap 110 is tilted towards the cap plate 200 and held in this position, the filter section 112 may deviate from the opening position of the press-cap sample bottle 120. However, according to the aforementioned structure, the outer peripheral surface of the filter section 112 of the cap 110, which is embedded in each opening 211 of the body plate 210, abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the corresponding opening 231. In this case, the cap 110 can be stably held while maintaining the posture of the filter section 112. Therefore, when the cap mounting device 100 changes from the standby state to the mounting state, the filter section 112 can be properly inserted into the press-cap sample bottle 120.

[0076] Furthermore, if the cover body 111 of each cover 110 is pressed downwards from above, the filter retaining membrane 230 is squeezed from above by the cover body 111 passing through the corresponding opening 221 of the cover retaining membrane 220. In this case, the filter retaining membrane 230 undergoes elastic deformation, thereby widening each opening 231. As a result, each cover body 111 slides downwards and passes through the corresponding opening 231. Consequently, each cover 110 can pass downwards through the body plate 210.

[0077] Figure 13 It means Figure 12 A diagram illustrating an example of the assembly of cover plate 200. (See diagram for example.) Figure 13 As shown, the cover plate 200 also includes metal plates 240, 250, and 260. Multiple openings are formed on each of the metal plates 240, 250, and 260, each corresponding to a plurality of openings 221 in the cover retaining membrane 220. The diameter of the openings in each of the metal plates 240, 250, and 260 is larger than the diameter of the cover body 111 of the cover 110.

[0078] Below the body plate 210, the cover retaining membrane 220, metal plate 240, metal plate 250, filter retaining membrane 230, and metal plate 260 are arranged sequentially from top to bottom. Here, a plurality of cylindrical spacers 201 are disposed between the metal plate 240 and the metal plate 250. Threaded grooves are formed on the inner circumferential surface of each cylindrical spacer 201.

[0079] In this state, multiple screws 202 pass through the body plate 210, the cover retaining membrane 220, and the metal plate 240 from above, and are respectively screwed into multiple cylindrical spacers 201. Furthermore, multiple screws 203 pass through the metal plate 260, the filter retaining membrane 230, and the metal plate 250 from below, and are respectively screwed into multiple cylindrical spacers 201. Thus, the cover retaining membrane 220 is held by the body plate 210 and the metal plate 240. Moreover, the filter retaining membrane 230 is held by the metal plates 260 and 250 below the cover retaining membrane 220.

[0080] Figure 14 This is a top view of the filter retaining membrane 230. (Example) Figure 14 As shown, the filter retaining membrane 230 has a rectangular shape. A plurality of openings 231 are regularly arranged along one pair of sides and the other pair of sides of the filter retaining membrane 230. In this example, each opening 231 includes a pair of arcuate portions 232, a pair of arcuate portions 233, and a pair of rectangular slits 234.

[0081] A pair of arcuate portions 232 are aligned along a pair of sides of the filter retaining membrane 230. Figure 14In the example, they face each other in the left-right direction. The diameter of the imaginary circle formed by the pair of arcuate portions 232 (the minimum diameter of the opening 231) is approximately equal to the diameter of the filter portion 112 of the cover 110. The pair of arcuate portions 233 are along the direction of the other opposite side of the filter retaining membrane 230. Figure 14 In the example, they face each other (up and down). The diameter of the imaginary circle formed by a pair of arcs 233 is larger than the diameter of the filter portion 112 of the cover 110, and is approximately equal to the diameter of the cover body 111 of the cover 110, for example.

[0082] A pair of rectangular slits 234 extend in opposite directions along a pair of arcuate portions 232. One rectangular slit 234 connects one end of the pair of arcuate portions 232 to one of the arcuate portions 233. The other rectangular slit 234 connects the other end of the pair of arcuate portions 232 to the other arcuate portion 233.

[0083] (2) Effect In the cover plate 200 of this embodiment, the cover body 111 of the cover 110 is held by the body plate 210, and the filter portion 112 of the cover 110 is held by the filter holding membrane 230. In this case, the cover 110 can be stably held, so that when the cover holding portion 42 descends from the first height to the second height, the filter portion 112 can be reliably inserted into the press-cap sample bottle 120. Thus, even when the cover 110 includes the filter portion 112, the cover 110 can be properly installed on the press-cap sample bottle 120.

[0084] Specifically, the filter holding membrane 230 is held in place by a pair of arcuate portions 232 of each opening 231 abutting against the filter portion 112 of the cover 110. Furthermore, each opening 231 includes a pair of arcuate portions 233 with a large diameter, thus easily expanding to the same extent as the cover body 111 of the cover 110 when the filter holding membrane 230 is compressed. This allows each cover 110 to pass downwards.

[0085] Ribs 213 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the opening 211 of the body plate 210, abutting against the outer peripheral surface of the cover body 111. Furthermore, a cover retaining membrane 220 with an opening 221 having a diameter smaller than that of the cover body 111 is further provided above the filter retaining membrane 230. The opening 221 is located below the cover body 111. In these cases, the cover 110 can be retained more reliably.

[0086] 3. Other implementation methods (1) In the described embodiment, the front end portion 36b of the plate pressing rod 36 includes a conical surface 36d, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The front end portion 36b may also not include the conical surface 36d. Moreover, if the plate pressing rod 36 is not used for positional alignment between the cover plate 200 and the lifting unit 30, the plate pressing rod 36 may include a base end portion 36a, or it may not include the front end portion 36b. Furthermore, it may not be necessary to form an opening 212 on the upper surface of the body plate 210 of the cover plate 200.

[0087] (2) In the described embodiment, the lifting and lowering of the cap pressing lever 35 and the lowering of the cap holding portion 42 are performed by a single drive unit 20, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The lowering of the cap holding portion 42 may also be performed by an actuator different from the drive unit 20. In this case, the lifting unit 30 may not include the plate pressing lever 36. Moreover, the cap holding portion 42 may also prevent the lower surface of the held cap plate 200 from contacting the upper surface of the sample bottle plate 300 at the second height.

[0088] Furthermore, an actuator can be separately provided to raise the cover retaining part 42 from the second height to the first height. In this case, the cover support unit 40 may not include the spring member 46. Moreover, a mechanical stop for stopping the cover retaining part 42 at the first height may not be provided on the base 10.

[0089] (3) In the embodiment described above, the cover plate 200 includes a cover retaining film 220, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. If the body plate 210 can stably hold the cover 110, the cover plate 200 may not include the cover retaining film 220.

[0090] Furthermore, ribs 213 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the opening 211 of the body plate 210, but the implementation is not limited to this. If the cover 110 is stably held within the opening 211 of the body plate 210, the ribs 213 may not be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the opening 211.

[0091] 4. Morphology Those skilled in the art will understand that the plurality of exemplary embodiments are specific examples of the following forms.

[0092] (First item) A cover mounting device of one form may include: The cover retainer is provided in a manner that allows it to move up and down between a first height and a second height below the first height, thereby retaining the cover plate with the cover held on it. A sample bottle holder is provided below the cap holding part, and a sample bottle plate is provided to hold the press-cap sample bottles corresponding to the cap. A cover pressing rod is disposed above the cover retaining portion and extends in the vertical direction; and The drive unit, when the cover holding part is at the second height, raises and lowers the cover pressing rod in such a way that it presses the cover held by the cover plate downward.

[0093] In the cap mounting device, when the cap holding part is at a first height, the cap holding part and the sample bottle holding part are separated by a large margin. In this case, the cap plate and sample bottle plate will not interfere with the cap holding part and the sample bottle holding part, and can be easily moved in and out relative to the cap mounting device.

[0094] Furthermore, when the cap holding part is at the second height, the cap holding part and the sample vial mounting part are closer together than when it is at the first height. In this state, the cap pressing rod is lowered by the drive unit, thereby pressing the cap held by the cap plate downwards. As a result, the cap is lowered from the cap plate and mounted on the sample vial plate as a press-cap sample vial.

[0095] According to the described structure, the cap can be installed on the press-cap sample bottle while the cap plate is sufficiently close to the sample bottle plate. Therefore, significant deformation of the cap's posture can be prevented when installing the cap on the press-cap sample bottle. As a result, the cap can be properly installed on the press-cap sample bottle.

[0096] (Second item) In the cover mounting device described in the first item, The cap retaining portion can be positioned at the second height so that the lower surface of the cap plate being held contacts the upper surface of the sample bottle plate.

[0097] In this case, the cap is held in place by a cap plate before it is installed on the press-cap sample bottle, thereby maintaining the cap's position. This allows for a more suitable installation of the cap onto the press-cap sample bottle.

[0098] (Item 3) In the cover mounting device described in Item 2, The drive unit can raise and lower the cover pressing rod, and lower the cover holding part from the first height to the second height.

[0099] In this configuration, the raising and lowering of the cover pressing lever and the lowering of the cover retaining part are achieved by a single drive unit. There is no need for a separate actuator to lower the cover retaining part from the first height to the second height. This reduces the cost of the cover mounting device.

[0100] (Fourth item) The cover mounting device described in the third item may also include: The plate pressing rod extends along the vertical direction; Support portion, supporting the cover pressing rod and the plate pressing rod; and A first spring component is disposed between the plate pressing rod and the support portion. The drive unit causes the plate pressing rod and the cover pressing rod to rise and fall together by raising and lowering the support unit. The plate pressing rod lowers the cover holding portion from the first height to the second height by pressing the cover plate from above.

[0101] In this case, the lifting and lowering of the cover pressing rod and the lowering of the cover holding part can be achieved by a simple structure and a single drive unit.

[0102] (Item 5) In the cover mounting device described in Item 4, The plate pressing rod may include: a base end extending in a vertical direction; a front end extending from the base end downwards; and a stepped portion disposed between the base end and the front end. The cover plate includes a first opening on its upper surface, the first opening allowing the front end of the plate pressing rod to be inserted.

[0103] In this case, the plate pressing rod can be used to align the position between the cap plate and the cap pressing rod. This allows the cap to be more properly installed on the press-cap sample bottle.

[0104] (Item 6) In the cover mounting device described in Item 5, The front end of the plate pressing rod may include a tapered surface at its lower end, the diameter of which decreases continuously downwards.

[0105] In this case, the alignment between the cover plate and the cover pressing rod can be made more smoothly.

[0106] (Seventh item) The cover mounting device described in any one of items one through six may also include: The second spring component pushes the cover retainer upward.

[0107] In this configuration, the cover holder can be easily maintained at the first height. Furthermore, there is no need for a separate actuator to raise the cover holder from the second height to the first height. This reduces the cost of the cover mounting device.

[0108] (Item 8) Other types of cover plates may be the cover plates used in the cover mounting devices described in any of Items 1 to 6. The cap includes: a cap body, mounted on the press-fit sample vial; and a cylindrical filter portion extending from the cap body downwards. The cover plate includes: The body plate has a second opening for the cover body to be inserted into; and The filter retaining membrane forms a third opening that abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the filter section and is disposed on the body plate.

[0109] In the aforementioned cover plate, the cover body is held by a body plate, and the filter portion of the cover is held by a filter retaining membrane. In this configuration, the cover can be stably held, and therefore, when the cover retaining portion descends from a first height to a second height, the filter portion can be reliably inserted into the press-cap sample bottle. Thus, even when the cover includes a filter portion, the cover can be properly installed on the press-cap sample bottle.

[0110] (Item 9) The cover plate described in Item 8 may also include: Ribs are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the second opening and abut against the outer peripheral surface of the cover body.

[0111] In this situation, the lid can be kept more securely.

[0112] (Item 10) The cover plate described in Item 8 or 9 may also include: The cover retaining membrane is configured to have a fourth opening having a diameter smaller than that of the cover body, and is positioned above the filter retaining membrane such that the fourth opening is located below the cover body.

[0113] In this situation, the lid can be kept more securely.

Claims

1. A cover mounting device, characterized in that, include: The cover retainer is provided in a manner that allows it to move up and down between a first height and a second height below the first height, thereby retaining the cover plate with the cover held on it. A sample bottle holder is provided below the cap holder and holds a sample bottle plate, the sample bottle plate holding a press-cap sample bottle corresponding to the cap. A cover pressing rod is disposed above the cover retaining part and extends in the vertical direction; The drive unit, when the cover holding part is at the second height, raises and lowers the cover pressing rod in such a way that the cover held by the cover plate is pressed downward; The plate pressing rod extends along the vertical direction; Support portion, supporting the cover pressing rod and the plate pressing rod; and A first spring component is disposed between the plate pressing rod and the support portion. in, At the second height, the cap retaining part ensures that the lower surface of the retained cap contacts the upper surface of the sample vial. The drive unit causes the cover pressing rod to rise and fall, and causes the cover holding part to fall from the first height to the second height. The drive unit causes the plate pressing rod and the cover pressing rod to rise and fall together by raising and lowering the support unit. The plate pressing rod lowers the cover holding portion from the first height to the second height by pressing the cover plate from above.

2. The cover mounting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plate pressing rod includes: The basal end extends in the vertical direction; The front end extends downward from the base end; and A stepped portion is disposed between the base end and the front end. The cover plate includes a first opening on its upper surface, which allows the front end of the plate pressing rod to be inserted.

3. The cover mounting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The front end of the plate pressing rod includes a conical surface at its lower end, the diameter of which decreases continuously downwards.

4. The cover mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Also includes: The second spring component pushes the cover retainer upward.

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