Cap mounting device and cap plate

Abstract

To provide a cap mounting device and cap plate that can attach a cap to a snap vial.SOLUTION: A cap mounting device 100 includes: a cap holding portion 42; a vial placing portion 50; a cap pushing rod 35; and a drive portion 20. The cap holding section 42 is provided to be raised and lowered between a first height and a second height below the first height and holds a cap plate 200 on which a cap is held. The vial placing portion 50 is provided below the cap holding portion 42. A vial plate 300 on which a snap vial corresponding to the cap is held is placed on the vial placing portion 50. The cap pushing rod 35 is provided above the cap holding portion 42 and extends in a vertical direction. The drive unit 20 raises and lowers the cap push-in rod 35 to push the cap held by the cap plate 200 downward when the cap holding portion 42 is at the second height.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a capping device and a cap plate. [Background technology]

[0002] Before a sample is analyzed in an analytical device, the sample may be pretreated using a container such as a centrifuge tube. The container is a screw vial that can be attached and detached by rotating a screw-type cap. An attachment and detachment device for attaching and detaching a cap to a screw vial has also been developed.

[0003] For example, in the capping device described in Patent Document 1, a sample container is gripped by a pair of grippers of a gripping opening / closing drive unit, and a cap is gripped by a robot hand. In this state, the gripping opening / closing drive unit is rotated to attach and detach the cap. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-226484 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, snap vials, which can be fitted by pushing the cap from above, have been used as sample containers instead of screw vials because of their ease of handling. However, it is not easy to properly attach a cap to a snap vial because the cap is prone to tilting when pushed in. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a cap attachment device that can attach a cap to a snap vial.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a capping device and a cap plate capable of attaching a cap to a snap vial. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention relates to a cap mounting device comprising a cap holding section that is capable of being raised and lowered between a first height and a second height below the first height and that holds a cap plate on which a cap is held, a vial mounting section that is provided below the cap holding section and on which a vial plate that holds a snap vial corresponding to the cap is placed, a cap pushing rod that is provided above the cap holding section and extends in the vertical direction, and a drive section that raises and lowers the cap pushing rod so as to push the cap held by the cap plate downward when the cap holding section is at the second height.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cap plate for use in the above-mentioned cap attachment device, wherein the cap includes a cap body attached to the snap vial and a cylindrical filter portion extending downward from the cap body, and the cap plate comprises a body plate having a second opening into which the cap body is fitted, and a filter retaining film provided on a lower part of the body plate and having a third opening formed therein that abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the filter portion. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the cap can be pressed vertically against the snap vial, so that the cap can be properly attached. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cap fitting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of the lifting unit. [Diagram 3] 4 is a perspective view of the cap attachment device for explaining the configuration of the cap support unit. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cap plate. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a cap plate and a vial plate. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the cap plate and the vial plate in an attached state. [Figure 7] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the cap attachment device. [Figure 8] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the cap attachment device. [Figure 9] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the cap attachment device. [Figure 10] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the cap attachment device. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a cap having a filtering function. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a cap plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of assembly of the cap plate of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] 1. First embodiment (1) Configuration of the cap attachment device A cap fastening device and a cap plate according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cap fastening device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The cap fastening device 100 of FIG. 1 is capable of attaching a cap to a snap vial. In the following description, a state before the cap fastening device 100 starts attaching a cap to a snap vial is referred to as a standby state. Also, a state immediately before the cap fastening device 100 attaches a cap 110 to a snap vial 120 is referred to as an attaching state.

[0012] 1, the cap fitting device 100 includes a base 10, a drive unit 20, a lifting unit 30, a cap support unit 40, and a vial placement unit 50. The base 10 is provided on a surface on which the cap fitting device 100 is to be installed. The drive unit 20 includes an actuator such as an air cylinder having an extendable drive arm. The drive unit 20 is attached to the upper part of the base 10 so that the drive arm can be extended and retracted downward.

[0013] The lifting unit 30 is attached to the base 10 so as to be movable up and down. The lifting unit 30 is raised and lowered by the extension and contraction of the drive arm of the drive section 20. The cap support unit 40 is attached to the base 10 so as to be movable up and down. A plurality of cap plates 200 are sequentially loaded and unloaded into and from the cap support unit 40 by, for example, a transport arm (not shown). Each cap plate 200 holds a plurality of caps to be respectively attached to a plurality of snap vials. Each cap has a circular outer peripheral surface. Details of the lifting unit 30 and the cap support unit 40 will be described later.

[0014] The vial placement section 50 is provided below the cap support unit 40. A plurality of vial plates 300 are sequentially carried in and out of the vial placement section 50, for example, by a belt conveyor (not shown). A plurality of snap vials are held in each vial plate 300. In the vial placement section 50, each carried in vial plate 300 is placed, and a plurality of caps are attached to each of the snap vials. Each snap vial has a circular outer peripheral surface. The vial placement section 50 may be a part of the above-mentioned belt conveyor.

[0015] 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the lifting unit 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the lifting unit 30 includes support plates 31 and 32, a plurality of spring members 33, a plurality of spring members 34, a plurality of cap pushing rods 35, and a plurality of plate pushing rods 36. The support plate 31 is attached to the base 10 of FIG. 1 so as to be movable up and down. An upper portion of the support plate 31 is connected to a drive arm of the drive unit 20 of FIG. 1. The support plate 32 is disposed below the support plate 31, and is connected to the support plate 31 by a plurality of connecting members. The support plates 31 and 32 are collectively referred to as a support unit.

[0016] The multiple spring members 33 are provided to correspond to the multiple cap pushing rods 35, respectively. The multiple spring members 34 are provided to correspond to the multiple plate pushing rods 36, respectively. In this example, the cap attachment device 100 has four cap pushing rods 35 and two plate pushing rods 36. Therefore, in this example, four spring members 33 and two spring members 34 are provided. Each spring member 33, 34 supports an upper portion of the corresponding cap pushing rod 35 or plate pushing rod 36 on the support plates 31, 32 in an extended state.

[0017] Each cap pushing rod 35 has, for example, a cylindrical shape and extends in the vertical direction. In this example, four cap pushing rods 35 are arranged in two rows and two columns. As described above, the upper part of each cap pushing rod 35 is supported by the support plates 31 and 32 via the spring member 33. The lower part of each cap pushing rod 35 protrudes downward beyond the support plate 32.

[0018] In this example, two plate pushing rods 36 are disposed between two diagonally positioned cap pushing rods 35 among the four cap pushing rods 35. Each plate pushing rod 36 includes a base end 36a and a tip end 36b. Each base end 36a has a cylindrical shape and extends in the up-down direction. An upper portion of each base end 36a is supported by the support plates 31, 32 via a spring member 34. A lower portion of the base end 36a protrudes downward beyond the support plate 32.

[0019] The tip portion 36b has a cylindrical shape with a smaller diameter than the base portion 36a, and extends downward from the center of the lower end surface of the base portion 36a. As a result, each plate pushing rod 36 has a step portion 36c between the base portion 36a and the tip portion 36b below the support plate 32. The base portion 36a is longer in the vertical direction than the cap pushing rod 35. Therefore, when the cap attachment device 100 is in the standby state, the lower end surface of the base portion 36a, i.e., the step portion 36c, is located below the lower end surface of the cap pushing rod 35. In addition, the lower end of each tip portion 36b has a tapered surface 36d whose diameter continuously decreases downward.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cap attachment device 100 for explaining the configuration of the cap support unit 40. As shown in Fig. 3, the cap support unit 40 includes a lifting frame 41, a cap holding portion 42, a plurality of connecting rods 43, a plurality of lifting plates 44, a plurality of fixing plates 45, and a plurality of spring members 46. The lifting frame 41 is attached to the base 10 so as to be movable up and down. An opening is formed in the center of the lifting frame 41, through which the lower part of the lifting unit 30 can pass.

[0021] The cap holding part 42 holds the cap plate 200. In this example, the cap holding part 42 is a stage, and the cap plate 200 is placed on the upper surface of the cap holding part 42. An opening is formed in the center of the cap holding part 42 to expose a part of the lower surface of the placed cap plate 200. The cap holding part 42 is disposed below the lifting frame 41, and is connected to the lifting frame 41 by a plurality of (for example, four) connecting rods 43. Therefore, the cap holding part 42 can be raised and lowered integrally with the lifting frame 41.

[0022] Each of the multiple (two in this example) lift plates 44 includes a vertical surface portion 44a and a horizontal surface portion 44b, and has an inverted L-shaped cross section. In this example, the vertical surface portions 44a of the two lift plates 44 are attached to both sides of the lift frame 41, respectively. This allows the multiple lift plates 44 to rise and fall integrally with the lift frame 41. The horizontal surface portion 44b of each lift plate 44 protrudes laterally from the lift frame 41.

[0023] Each fixed plate 45 has a flat plate shape. The multiple fixed plates 45 correspond to the multiple lift plates 44, respectively. Each fixed plate 45 is disposed below the horizontal surface portion 44b of the corresponding lift plate 44, and is fixed to the base 10. A spring member 46 is provided between the horizontal surface portion 44b of each lift plate 44 and the corresponding fixed plate 45. A plurality of spring members 46 may be provided in parallel.

[0024] When extended, each spring member 46 urges the corresponding lift plate 44 upward. As a result, the lift frame 41 and the cap holding portion 42 are constantly subjected to an upward force from the multiple spring members 46 via the multiple lift plates 44. When the cap attachment device 100 is in a standby state, the upper surface of the horizontal surface portion 44b of each lift plate 44 abuts against a mechanical stopper provided on the base 10. In this example, the resultant force of the loads from the multiple spring members 46 is smaller than the resultant force of the loads from the multiple spring members 34 (FIG. 2) of the lift unit 30.

[0025] (2) Cap plates and vial plates Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cap plate 200. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configurations of the cap plate 200 and the vial plate 300. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the cap plate 200 includes a substantially rectangular body plate 210 having a predetermined thickness. In this example, the thickness of the body plate 210 is greater than the length of the tip portion 36b of the plate pushing rod 36 in Fig. 2 and greater than the height of the cap 110.

[0026] A plurality of circular openings 211 are formed in the main body plate 210, penetrating in the thickness direction. The openings 211 are an example of a second opening. The diameter of each opening 211 is slightly larger than the diameter of the cap 110. The plurality of openings 211 are regularly arranged along the direction of a pair of sides and the direction of another pair of sides of the main body plate 210 in a plan view. Of the plurality of openings 211, four openings 211 arranged in two rows and two columns correspond to the four cap pushing rods 35 in FIG. 2, respectively.

[0027] In addition, a plurality of circular openings 212 are formed on the upper surface of the main body plate 210. The openings 212 are an example of a first opening. In this example, two openings 212 are formed between two diagonally positioned openings 211 among the four openings 211 described above. Each of the two openings 212 corresponds to the two plate pushing rods 36 in FIG. 2. The diameter of the openings 212 is larger than the diameter of the tip end 36b of the plate pushing rod 36 and smaller than the diameter of the base end 36a. When the depth of the openings 212 is larger than the length of the tip end 36b, the openings 212 may be through holes or bottomed holes.

[0028] A plurality of caps 110 are fitted into the plurality of openings 211, respectively. In this way, the plurality of caps 110 are held by the main body plate 210. In this example, as shown in the balloon in Fig. 4, a plurality of ribs 213 (three in this example) extending in the vertical direction are provided at approximately equal intervals on the inner peripheral surface of each opening 211. The outer peripheral surface of each cap 110 abuts against the plurality of ribs 213 of the corresponding opening 211, so that each cap 110 is stably held while maintaining its posture.

[0029] Furthermore, the cap plate 200 holds the multiple caps 110 by frictional force between the multiple ribs 213 and the outer circumferential surfaces of the caps 110. The magnitude of the frictional force is such that the multiple caps 110 can be held more reliably even when the multiple caps 110 are subjected to vibration.

[0030] 5, the vial plate 300 is a plate having a predetermined thickness. A plurality of openings 301 corresponding to the plurality of openings 211 of the cap plate 200 are formed on the upper surface of the vial plate 300. Each opening 301 is a bottomed hole. The diameter of each opening 301 is slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the snap vial 120.

[0031] A plurality of snap vials 120 are fitted into the plurality of openings 301, respectively. In this way, the plurality of snap vials 120 are held by the vial plate 300. In this example, the depth of each opening 301 is greater than the height of the snap vial 120. Therefore, the upper portion of each snap vial 120 held by the vial plate 300 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the vial plate 300.

[0032] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the cap plate 200 and the vial plate 300 in the attached state. As shown in Fig. 6, in the attached state, the lower surface of the cap plate 200 (the lower surface of the body plate 210) and the upper surface of the vial plate 300 are in contact with each other. At this time, the multiple caps 110 held by the cap plate 200 are respectively positioned above the multiple snap vials 120 held by the vial plate 300. In this state, the caps 110 corresponding to the respective snap vials 120 can be attached by pushing each cap 110 from above.

[0033] In this example, the maximum diameter of the snap 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 vial plate 300. In addition, the thickness of the body plate 210 is sufficiently greater than the height of the cap 110.

[0034] According to this configuration, when the cap attachment device 100 is in an attached state, the upper portion of each snap vial 120 enters the corresponding opening 211 and is surrounded by the inner peripheral surface of the opening 211. Therefore, even if each snap vial 120 protrudes from the vial plate 300, the lower surface of the cap plate 200 and the upper surface of the vial plate 300 can be in contact with each other without interfering with the cap plate 200 and the snap vial 120.

[0035] (3) Operation of the capping device Before the operation of the cap fitting device 100 starts, a user of the cap fitting device 100 fits and holds the multiple caps 110 in the multiple openings 211 of the cap plate 200, and then places the cap plate 200 in a predetermined position. Also, a user of the cap fitting device 100 fits and holds the multiple snap vials 120 in the multiple openings 301 of the vial plate 300, and then places the vial plate 300 in a predetermined position.

[0036] 7 to 10 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the cap fitting device 100. As shown in FIG. 7, the cap fitting device 100 is in a standby state before starting to attach the cap 110 to the snap vial 120. The height of the cap holding part 42 at this time is an example of the first height. A transport arm (not shown) transports the cap plate 200 from a predetermined position to the cap holding part 42. As a result, the cap plate 200 is placed on the cap holding part 42. When the cap fitting device 100 is in a standby state, the cap plate 200 placed on the cap holding part 42 is below the lifting unit 30.

[0037] In addition, a belt conveyer (not shown) transports the vial plate 300 from a predetermined position to the vial mounting section 50. As a result, the vial plate 300 is mounted on the vial mounting section 50. The vial plate 300 mounted on the vial mounting section 50 is located below the cap plate 200 mounted on the cap holding section 42.

[0038] Next, the drive arm of the drive section 20 in Fig. 1 extends downward, causing the lifting unit 30 to descend. Here, the diameter of the tip 36b of the plate pushing rod 36 in Fig. 2 is smaller than the opening 212 of the cap plate 200 in Fig. 4. Therefore, if there is an opening 212 below each plate pushing rod 36, the lifting unit 30 descends, causing each tip 36b to enter the corresponding opening 212.

[0039] Also, there may be a slight misalignment between the cap plate 200 and the lifting unit 30. Even in this case, when the lifting unit 30 descends, the position of the cap plate 200 moves slightly so that each tip 36b enters the corresponding opening 212. In this manner, the plate pushing rod 36 can be used for alignment between the cap plate 200 and the lifting unit 30.

[0040] 2, the lower end of each tip 36b has a tapered surface 36d. In this case, the cap plate 200 moves so that the inner circumferential surface of the opening 212 is aligned with the tapered surface 36d of the tip 36b. This allows the alignment between the cap plate 200 and the lifting unit 30 to be performed more smoothly.

[0041] 2, the diameter of the base end 36a of the plate pressing rod 36 is larger than the diameter of the opening 212. Moreover, the depth of the opening 212 is larger than the length of the tip end 36b. Furthermore, the step portion 36c of the plate pressing rod 36 is located lower than the lower end surface of the cap pressing rod 35. In this case, as the lifting unit 30 continues to move downward, the step portion 36c of the plate pressing rod 36 comes into contact with the upper surface of the cap plate 200, as shown in FIG.

[0042] As the lifting unit 30 continues to move downward, the step portion 36c of the plate pressing rod 36 presses the cap holding portion 42 downward via the cap plate 200. Here, the resultant force of the loads of the multiple spring members 46 provided on the cap support unit 40 is smaller than the resultant force of the loads of the multiple spring members 34 of Fig. 2 provided on the multiple plate pressing rods 36. Therefore, when the cap holding portion 42 is pressed downward, the spring members 46 contract, causing the lifting frame 41, the cap holding portion 42 and the multiple lifting plates 44 to move downward together.

[0043] As the lifting unit 30 continues to move downward, the cap holding part 42 moves further downward. In this case, as shown in Fig. 9, the lower surface of the cap plate 200 exposed from the cap holding part 42 comes into contact with the upper surface of the vial plate 300 placed on the vial placement part 50. This brings the cap attachment device 100 into an attached state. The height of the cap holding part 42 at this time is an example of the second height.

[0044] In the attached state of the cap attachment device 100, the cap plate 200 is hooked onto the vial plate 300, thereby stopping the descent of the cap plate 200, the lifting frame 41, the cap holding portion 42, and the plurality of lifting plates 44. Therefore, if the lifting unit 30 continues to move downward, each spring member 34 in FIG. 2 will be compressed, and each plate pushing rod 36 will not move downward from the state where the step portion 36c is in contact with the cap plate 200.

[0045] On the other hand, when the lifting unit 30 continues to descend, each cap pushing rod 35 in FIG. 2 continues to descend, and the lower end of each cap pushing rod 35 enters the corresponding opening 211 of the cap plate 200. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the cap 110 in each opening 211 is pushed from above by the corresponding cap pushing rod 35. As a result, each cap 110 passes downward through the cap plate 200 and is attached to the corresponding snap vial 120 held by the vial plate 300.

[0046] In this example, four caps 110 are attached to four snap vials 120 at the same time. After the caps 110 are attached to the snap vials 120, the drive arm of the drive section 20 contracts, causing the lifting unit 30 to rise. In addition, the lifting frame 41, the cap holding section 42, and the multiple lifting plates 44 are biased by the multiple spring members 46 to rise. This causes the cap attachment device 100 to return to the standby state.

[0047] The above-described operation of the cap attachment device 100 is repeated for the other multiple caps 110 held on the cap plate 200 and the other multiple snap vials 120 held on the vial plate 300. This allows all of the caps 110 held on the cap plate 200 to be attached to the corresponding snap vials 120. Thereafter, the cap plate 200 is carried out from the cap holding unit 42 by the transport arm, and the vial plate 300 is carried out from the vial placement unit 50 by the belt conveyor.

[0048] (4) Effects In the cap fitting device 100 according to the present embodiment, in the standby state, i.e., when the cap holding part 42 is at the first height, the cap holding part 42 and the vial mounting part 50 are separated by a relatively large distance. In this case, the cap plate 200 and the vial plate 300 can be easily carried in and out of the cap fitting device 100 without interfering with the cap holding part 42 and the vial mounting part 50.

[0049] In addition, in the attached state, i.e., when the cap holding portion 42 is at the second height, the cap holding portion 42 and the vial placement portion 50 are closer to each other than when they are at the first height. In this state, the cap pushing rod 35 is lowered by the driving portion 20, so that the cap 110 held by the cap plate 200 is pushed downward. As a result, the cap 110 is lowered from the cap plate 200 and attached to the snap vial 120 of the vial plate 300.

[0050] According to this configuration, the cap 110 can be attached to the snap vial 120 with the cap plate 200 and the vial plate 300 in sufficient proximity to each other. Therefore, the position of the cap 110 is prevented from being significantly distorted when the cap 110 is attached to the snap vial 120. As a result, the cap 110 can be appropriately attached to the snap vial 120.

[0051] In this example, the cap holder 42 contacts the lower surface of the held cap plate 200 with the upper surface of the vial plate 300 at the second height. In this case, the cap 110 is held by the cap plate 200 until immediately before the cap 110 is attached to the snap vial 120, thereby maintaining the position of the cap 110. This allows the cap 110 to be more appropriately attached to the snap vial 120.

[0052] The lifting and lowering of the cap pushing rod 35 and the lowering of the cap holding part 42 are performed by a single driving part 20. In addition, the cap holding part 42 is urged upward by a spring member 46. With this configuration, the cap holding part 42 can be easily maintained at the first height. In addition, there is no need to separately provide an actuator for lowering the cap holding part 42 from the first height to the second height, and there is no need to separately provide an actuator for raising the cap holding part 42 from the second height to the first height. This allows the cost of the cap attachment device 100 to be reduced.

[0053] In this example, the support plates 31, 32 are raised and lowered by the driving unit 20, whereby the plate pushing rod 36 is raised and lowered together with the cap pushing rod 35. When the plate pushing rod 36 descends, the cap plate 200 is pushed in from above by the plate pushing rod 36, whereby the cap holding portion 42 is lowered from the first height to the second height.

[0054] When the cap holding part 42 descends to the second height, the lower surface of the cap plate 200 comes into contact with the upper surface of the vial plate 300, and the descent of the cap plate 200 stops. In this case, the spring member 34 contracts, stopping the descent of the plate pushing rod 36 while continuing the descent of the cap pushing rod 35. This allows the lifting and lowering of the cap pushing rod 35 and the descent of the cap holding part 42 to be performed by a single driving part 20 with a simple configuration.

[0055] The cap plate 200 is pushed in by the step portion 36c of the plate pushing rod 36 with the tip portion 36b of the plate pushing rod 36 inserted into the opening 212 on the upper surface of the cap plate 200. In this case, the plate pushing rod 36 is used for alignment between the cap plate 200 and the cap pushing rod 35. This allows the cap 110 to be more appropriately attached to the snap vial 120. The tip portion 36b of the plate pushing rod 36 has a tapered surface 36d at the lower end, so that the alignment between the cap plate 200 and the cap pushing rod 35 can be more smoothly performed.

[0056] 2. Second embodiment (1) Cap plate configuration The cap 110 may have a filter function for filtering liquid components contained in the snap vial 120. FIG. 11 is a side view showing the cap 110 having a filter function. As shown in FIG. 11, the cap 110 has a cap body 111 and a filter portion 112. The filter portion 112 is a cylindrical member formed of, for example, resin, and is provided on the cap body 111 so as to protrude downward. A filtration membrane 113 is attached to the lower end of the filter portion 112.

[0057] 5, the cap body 111 is pushed in from above, thereby attaching the cap body 111 to the snap vial 120. At this time, the liquid components contained in the snap vial 120 are filtered by passing through the filtration membrane 113. The filtered liquid components are stored in the filter part 112.

[0058] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a cap plate 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The cap plate 200 in Fig. 12 is configured to be able to properly hold the cap 110 in Fig. 11. The following describes the cap plate 200 according to this embodiment and the cap plate 200 according to the first embodiment in Fig. 5 in terms of differences.

[0059] 12, the cap plate 200 further includes a cap holding film 220 and a filter holding film 230. The cap holding film 220 is made of a thin and easily deformable material. The cap holding film 220 may be made of a resin such as polyethylene terephthalate.

[0060] The cap holding film 220 is disposed below the multiple caps 110 held by the main body plate 210. A plurality of circular openings 221 are formed in the area of ​​the cap holding film 220 overlapping each cap 110. The diameter of each opening 221 is smaller than the diameter of the cap 110 (the diameter of the cap main body 111). The openings 221 are an example of a fourth opening. According to this configuration, the lower end of the corresponding cap 110 abuts against the area surrounding each opening 221 on the upper surface of the cap holding film 220. This allows each cap 110 to be stably held.

[0061] Furthermore, when each cap 110 is pushed downward from above, the cap holding film 220 is pressed from above by each cap 110. In this case, the cap holding film 220 is elastically deformed, and each opening 221 is enlarged. This causes each cap 110 to slide downward and pass through the corresponding opening 221. As a result, each cap 110 can pass downward through the body plate 210.

[0062] The filter holding film 230 is made of the same material as the cap holding film 220, and is disposed below the cap holding film 220. The filter holding film 230 has a plurality of openings 231 formed therein, each of which corresponds to the plurality of openings 221 of the cap holding film 220. The openings 231 are an example of a third opening. The minimum diameter of each opening 231 is approximately equal to the diameter of the filter portion 112 of the cap 110.

[0063] In the case where a configuration such as the filter part 112 is provided at the bottom of the cap 110, if the cap 110 is held at an angle on the cap plate 200, the filter part 112 may come out of the opening position of the snap vial 120. However, with this configuration, the outer peripheral surface of the filter part 112 of the cap 110 fitted into each opening 211 of the main 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 part 112 of the cap 110. This allows the filter part 112 to be appropriately inserted into the snap vial 120 when the cap attachment device 100 transitions from the standby state to the attachment state.

[0064] Furthermore, when the cap body 111 of each cap 110 is pushed downward from above, the filter holding film 230 is pressed from above by the cap body 111 that has passed through the corresponding opening 221 of the cap holding film 220. In this case, the filter holding film 230 is elastically deformed, widening each opening 231. This causes each cap body 111 to slide downward and pass through the corresponding opening 231. As a result, each cap 110 can pass downward through the body plate 210.

[0065] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of assembly of the cap plate 200 of Fig. 12. As shown in Fig. 13, the cap plate 200 further includes metal sheets 240, 250, and 260. A plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of openings 221 of the cap holding film 220 are formed in each of the metal sheets 240, 250, and 260. The diameter of the openings of each of the metal sheets 240, 250, and 260 is larger than the diameter of the cap body 111 of the cap 110.

[0066] Below the main body plate 210, the cap holding film 220, the metal plate 240, the metal plate 250, the filter holding film 230, and the metal plate 260 are arranged in this order from top to bottom. Here, a plurality of cylindrical spacers 201 are arranged between the metal plate 240 and the metal plate 250. A screw groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of each cylindrical spacer 201.

[0067] In this state, the multiple screws 202 are threaded from above through the main body plate 210, the cap holding film 220, and the metal sheet 240, and are respectively engaged with the multiple screws 202. In addition, the multiple screws 203 are threaded from below through the metal sheet 260, the filter holding film 230, and the metal sheet 250, and are respectively engaged with the multiple screws 202. As a result, the cap holding film 220 is sandwiched between the main body plate 210 and the metal sheet 240. In addition, below the cap holding film 220, the filter holding film 230 is sandwiched between the metal sheet 260 and the metal sheet 250.

[0068] Fig. 14 is a plan view of the filter holding film 230. As shown in Fig. 14, the filter holding film 230 has a rectangular shape. A plurality of openings 231 are regularly arranged along the direction of a pair of sides and the direction of another pair of sides of the filter holding film 230. In this example, each opening 231 includes a pair of arc portions 232, a pair of arc portions 233, and a pair of rectangular slits 234.

[0069] The pair of arc portions 232 face each other along the direction of a pair of sides of the filter retaining film 230 (left-right direction in the example of FIG. 14). The diameter of an imaginary circle formed by the pair of arc portions 232 (the minimum diameter of the opening 221 described above) is approximately equal to the diameter of the filter portion 112 of the cap 110. The pair of arc portions 233 face each other along the direction of another pair of sides of the filter retaining film 230 (up-down direction in the example of FIG. 14). The diameter of the imaginary circle formed by the pair of arc portions 233 is larger than the diameter of the filter portion 112 of the cap 110, and is approximately equal to the diameter of the cap body 111 of the cap 110, for example.

[0070] The pair of rectangular slits 234 extend in a direction in which the pair of arc portions 232 face each other. One rectangular slit 234 connects one end of the pair of arc portions 232 to one arc portion 233. The other rectangular slit 234 connects the other end of the pair of arc portions 232 to the other arc portion 233.

[0071] (2) Effects In the cap plate 200 according to the present embodiment, the cap body 111 of the cap 110 is held by the body plate 210, and the filter portion 112 of the cap 110 is held by the filter holding film 230. In this case, the cap 110 is stably held, so that when the cap holding portion 42 descends from the first height to the second height, the filter portion 112 can be reliably inserted into the snap vial 120. This allows the cap 110 to be appropriately attached to the snap vial 120 even when the cap 110 includes the filter portion 112.

[0072] Specifically, a pair of arcuate portions 232 of each opening 231 of the filter retaining film 230 abuts against the filter portion 112 of the cap 110, thereby retaining the filter portion 112. Furthermore, since each opening 231 includes a pair of arcuate portions 233 having a large diameter, when the filter retaining film 230 is pressed, it easily expands to the same extent as the cap body 111 of the cap 110. This allows each cap 110 to pass downward.

[0073] A rib 213 that abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the cap body 111 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the opening 211 of the body plate 210. Also, an opening 221 having a diameter smaller than that of the cap body 111 is formed above the filter holding film 230, and the cap holding film 220 is further provided. The opening 221 is located below the cap body 111. In these cases, the cap 110 can be held more reliably.

[0074] 3. Other embodiments (1) In the above embodiment, the tip 36b of the plate pressing rod 36 has the tapered surface 36d, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The tip 36b does not have to have the tapered surface 36d. Furthermore, when the plate pressing rod 36 is not used for aligning the cap plate 200 and the lifting unit 30, the plate pressing rod 36 only needs to have the base end 36a and does not have to have the tip 36b. Furthermore, the opening 212 does not have to be formed in the upper surface of the main body plate 210 of the cap plate 200.

[0075] (2) In the above embodiment, the lifting and lowering of the cap pushing rod 35 and the lowering of the cap holding part 42 are performed by a single driving part 20, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The lowering of the cap holding part 42 may be performed by an actuator separate from the driving part 20. In this case, the lifting unit 30 may not include the plate pushing rod 36. Furthermore, the cap holding part 42 may not bring the lower surface of the held cap plate 200 into contact with the upper surface of the vial plate 300 at the second height.

[0076] Also, an actuator for raising the cap holding part 42 from the second height to the first height may be provided separately. In this case, the cap support unit 40 does not need to include the spring member 46. Also, the base 10 does not need to be provided with a mechanical stopper for stopping the cap holding part 42 at the first height.

[0077] (3) In the above embodiment, the cap plate 200 includes the cap holding film 220, but the embodiment is not limited to this. If the body plate 210 can stably hold the cap 110, the cap plate 200 does not need to include the cap holding film 220.

[0078] Furthermore, although the ribs 213 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the opening 211 of the main body plate 210, the embodiment is not limited to this. In the case where the cap 110 is stably held in the opening 211 of the main body plate 210, the ribs 213 do not need to be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the opening 211.

[0079] 4. Aspects It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above exemplary embodiments are illustrative of the following aspects.

[0080] (Item 1) A cap attachment device according to one aspect comprises: a cap holder that is movable between a first height and a second height below the first height and that holds a cap plate on which a cap is held; a vial placement section provided below the cap holding section, on which a vial plate holding snap vials corresponding to the caps is placed; A cap pushing rod is provided above the cap holding portion and extends in the vertical direction; The cap holder may further include a drive unit that raises and lowers the cap pushing rod so as to push the cap held by the cap plate downward when the cap holding unit is at the second height.

[0081] In this cap fitting device, when the cap holder is at the first height, the cap holder and the vial placement part are spaced apart by a relatively large distance, and in this case, the cap plate and the vial plate can be easily carried in and out of the cap fitting device without interfering with the cap holder and the vial placement part.

[0082] Furthermore, when the cap holder is at the second height, the cap holder and the vial placement part are closer to each other than when they are at the first height. In this state, the cap pushing rod is lowered by the driving part, so that the caps held by the cap plate are pushed downward. As a result, the caps are lowered from the cap plate and attached to the snap vials of the vial plate.

[0083] According to this configuration, it is possible to attach the cap to the snap vial while the cap plate and the vial plate are sufficiently close to each other. Therefore, when attaching the cap to the snap vial, the attitude of the cap is prevented from being significantly distorted. As a result, the cap can be appropriately attached to the snap vial.

[0084] (2) In the cap attachment device according to the first aspect, The cap holding portion may bring a lower surface of the held cap plate into contact with an upper surface of the vial plate at the second height.

[0085] In this case, the cap is held by the cap plate until just before the cap is attached to the snap vial, thereby maintaining the position of the cap, which allows the cap to be more appropriately attached to the snap vial.

[0086] (Item 3) In the cap attachment device according to item 2, The drive unit may raise and lower the cap pushing rod and lower the cap holding unit from the first height to the second height.

[0087] In this case, the cap pushing rod is raised and lowered and the cap holder is lowered by a single drive unit, eliminating the need for a separate actuator for lowering the cap holder from the first height to the second height, thereby reducing the cost of the cap attachment device.

[0088] (4) The cap attachment device according to the third aspect of the present invention is A plate pushing rod extending in the vertical direction; A support portion that supports the cap pushing rod and the plate pushing rod; A first spring member is provided between the plate pushing rod and the support portion, the drive unit raises and lowers the support unit to raise and lower the cap pushing rod and the plate pushing rod, The plate pushing rod may push the cap plate from above to lower the cap holding portion from the first height to the second height.

[0089] In this case, with a simple configuration, the lifting and lowering of the cap pushing rod and the lowering of the cap holding portion can be performed by a single drive portion.

[0090] (Item 5) In the cap attachment device according to item 4, The plate pushing rod includes a base end portion extending in the vertical direction, a tip end portion extending downward from the base end portion, and a step portion provided between the base end portion and the tip end portion, The cap plate may have a first opening on an upper surface into which the tip end of the plate pushing rod can be inserted.

[0091] In this case, the plate pushing rod can be used for alignment between the cap plate and the cap pushing rod, which can better attach the cap to the snap vial.

[0092] (Item 6) In the cap attachment device according to item 5, The tip of the plate pushing rod may have a tapered surface at its lower end, the diameter of which decreases continuously downward.

[0093] In this case, the alignment between the cap plate and the cap pushing rod can be performed more smoothly.

[0094] (7) The cap attachment device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, The cap holder may further include a second spring member that urges the cap holder upward.

[0095] In this case, the cap holder can be easily maintained at the first height. Also, there is no need to provide a separate actuator for raising the cap holder from the second height to the first height. This reduces the cost of the cap attachment device.

[0096] (Item 8) A cap plate according to another aspect is as follows: A cap plate for use in the cap attachment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The cap includes a cap body attached to the snap vial and a cylindrical filter portion extending downward from the cap body, The cap plate is a body plate having a second opening into which the cap body is fitted; The filter may further include a filter retaining film provided on the main plate, the filter retaining film having a third opening that contacts an outer circumferential surface of the filter portion.

[0097] In this cap plate, the cap body of the cap is held by the body plate, and the filter part of the cap is held by the filter holding film. In this case, since the cap is stably held, when the cap holding part descends from the first height to the second height, the filter part can be reliably inserted into the snap vial. This allows the cap to be properly attached to the snap vial even when the cap includes a filter part.

[0098] (Item 9) The cap plate according to item 8, The cap may further include a rib provided on an inner circumferential surface of the second opening and adapted to abut against an outer circumferential surface of the cap body.

[0099] In this case, the cap can be held more securely.

[0100] (10) The cap plate according to the 8th or 9th paragraph, The cap may further include a cap holding film having a fourth opening having a diameter smaller than that of the cap body, the fourth opening being disposed above the filter holding film so that the fourth opening is located below the cap body.

[0101] In this case, the cap can be held more securely. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 10...base, 20...drive section, 30...lifting unit, 31, 32...support plate, 33, 34, 46...spring member, 35...cap pushing rod, 36...plate pushing rod, 36a...base end, 36b...tip end, 36c...step section, 36d...tapered surface, 40...cap support unit, 41...lifting frame, 42...cap holding section, 43...connecting rod, 44...lifting plate, 44a...vertical surface section, 44b...horizontal surface section, 45...fixing plate, 50...vial placement section, 100...cap removal Attachment device, 110...cap, 111...cap body, 112...filter part, 113...filtration membrane, 120...snap vial, 200...cap plate, 201...cylindrical spacer, 202, 203...screw, 210...body plate, 211, 212, 221, 231, 301...opening, 213...rib, 220...cap holding film, 230...filter holding film, 232, 233...circular arc part, 234...rectangular slit, 240, 250, 260...sheet metal, 300...vial plate

Claims

1. a cap holding portion that is provided so as to be movable between a first height and a second height below the first height and that holds a cap plate on which a cap is held; a vial placement section provided below the cap holding section, on which a vial plate holding snap vials corresponding to the caps is placed; a cap pushing rod provided above the cap holding portion and extending in the vertical direction; a drive unit that raises and lowers the cap pushing rod so as to push the cap held by the cap plate downward when the cap holding unit is at the second height.

2. The cap mounting device according to claim 1 , wherein the cap holder brings the lower surface of the held cap plate into contact with the upper surface of the vial plate at the second height.

3. The cap attachment device according to claim 2 , wherein the drive unit raises and lowers the cap pushing rod and lowers the cap holding unit from the first height to the second height.

4. a plate pushing rod extending in the vertical direction; a support portion that supports the cap pushing rod and the plate pushing rod; a first spring member provided between the plate pushing rod and the support portion; the drive unit raises and lowers the support unit to raise and lower the cap pushing rod and the plate pushing rod, 4. The cap attachment device according to claim 3, wherein the plate pushing rod pushes the cap plate from above, thereby lowering the cap holding portion from the first height to the second height.

5. the plate pushing rod includes a base end portion extending in the vertical direction, a tip end portion extending downward from the base end portion, and a step portion provided between the base end portion and the tip end portion, 5. The cap attachment device according to claim 4, wherein the cap plate has a first opening on its upper surface into which the tip of the plate pushing rod can be inserted.

6. 6. The cap attachment device according to claim 5, wherein the tip of the plate pushing rod has a tapered surface at its lower end, the diameter of which decreases continuously downward.

7. The cap attachment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a second spring member that biases the cap holding portion upward.

8. A cap plate used in the cap mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The cap includes a cap body attached to the snap vial and a cylindrical filter portion extending downward from the cap body, The cap plate is a body plate having a second opening formed therein into which the cap body is fitted; a cap plate having a third opening formed therein that abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the filter portion, and comprising a filter holding film provided on the main plate;

9. The cap plate according to claim 8 , further comprising a rib provided on an inner circumferential surface of the second opening and abutting against an outer circumferential surface of the cap body.

10. The cap plate according to claim 8, further comprising a cap holding film provided above the filter holding film so that a fourth opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the cap body is formed and the fourth opening is positioned below the cap body.

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