Cover member of sample storage container

Abstract

To accurately collect liquid sample stored inside a sample storage container and suppress generation of carryover.SOLUTION: A cover member (31, 36, 51) that covers an opening of a sample storage container in which a liquid sample is stored, is composed of an elastic sheet material and comprises slits (331, 361, 511) in an area other than a predetermined area into which a sample collection tool for collecting the liquid sample is inserted. The cover member can be suitably used as a septum that covers an opening of a vial, or a sheet that covers openings of a plurality of wells provided in a microplate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover member for covering an opening of a sample storage container such as a vial or a microplate. [Background technology]

[0002] Liquid chromatographs are used to analyze components contained in liquid samples. In liquid chromatographs, compounds contained in the liquid sample are separated in a column and detected by detectors such as a spectrophotometer or mass spectrometer. When analyzing multiple liquid samples continuously using a liquid chromatograph, an autosampler is used. In an autosampler, a sample rack containing multiple vials, each containing a liquid sample, is set in a predetermined position, and a liquid sample is collected from each vial using a sampling needle and introduced into the injector of the liquid chromatograph in sequence.

[0003] In order to prevent the liquid sample from volatilizing, the opening of the vial containing the liquid sample is often hermetically sealed with a septum. The septum is made of an elastic material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). When collecting a liquid sample in an autosampler, a sampling needle is inserted into the vial through the septum, and a predetermined amount of liquid sample is collected with the tip of the sampling needle positioned below the liquid level of the liquid sample (immersed in the liquid sample). The sampling needle is then pulled out of the septum and moved to the injector of the liquid chromatograph, and the collected liquid sample is introduced into the injector.

[0004] If a vial containing a liquid sample is airtightly sealed with a septum, the inside of the vial is pressurized when a sampling needle is inserted, which can cause air bubbles to get into the liquid sample, resulting in an error in the amount of liquid sample collected. Also, when a liquid sample is collected from the sampling needle, negative pressure can be created inside the vial, resulting in a smaller amount of liquid sample being collected.

[0005] In contrast, if a septum with a straight or cross-shaped slit in the center where the sampling needle is inserted is used, as described in Patent Document 1, the internal space of the vial communicates with the external space through the slit, so the inside of the vial is not pressurized or put into negative pressure, and the liquid sample can be accurately collected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-036920 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] As described above, when a liquid sample is collected, the tip of the sampling needle is immersed in the liquid sample, so that the liquid sample adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the sampling needle after collection. In the case of a vial equipped with a septum without a slit, the liquid sample adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the sampling needle is wiped off by the septum when the sampling needle is pulled out from the septum. However, when a septum with a slit in the center is used, a part of the liquid sample adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the sampling needle is not wiped off by the septum when the sampling needle is pulled out from the slit, and remains adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the sampling needle. Then, when a certain liquid sample is collected and analyzed, and then another liquid sample is collected, the liquid sample collected earlier is mixed into the subsequent liquid sample (carry-over occurs), causing an error in the measurement result.

[0008] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to accurately collect a liquid sample contained in a sample container while suppressing the occurrence of carryover. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, provides a cover member for covering an opening of a sample container in which a liquid sample is contained, comprising: The sample collecting device is made of an elastic sheet material and has slits in an area other than a predetermined area into which a sample collecting tool for collecting the liquid sample is inserted. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The predetermined area is an area into which a sample collecting tool is expected to be inserted when collecting a liquid sample. In the sample container equipped with the cover member of the present invention, when the sample collecting tool is inserted into a predetermined insertion area, the cover member is elastically deformed, and the internal space of the sample container communicates with the external space through the slit provided therein. Therefore, the inside of the sample container is not pressurized when the sample collecting tool is inserted, and the inside of the sample container is not negatively pressurized when a liquid sample is collected, so that the liquid sample can be collected accurately. In addition, since the slit is provided in an area other than the area where the sample collecting tool is expected to be inserted, the liquid sample attached to the outer peripheral surface of the sample collecting tool is wiped off when the sample collecting tool is pulled out after the liquid sample is collected. Therefore, the occurrence of carryover can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a main portion of a liquid chromatograph, which is an example of an analytical device for analyzing a liquid sample contained in a vial using a septum that is a first embodiment of a cover member according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the main configuration of an autosampler, which is an example of an automatic sample collection device that collects a liquid sample contained in a vial using the septum of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the septum of the first embodiment attached to a vial. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view of the septum of the first embodiment attached to a vial. [Diagram 5]4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating the state of the septum when a sampling needle is inserted into a vial to which the septum of the first embodiment is attached. [Figure 6] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating the state of the septum when a sampling needle is pulled out from a vial to which the septum of the first embodiment is attached. [Figure 7] An example of a conventionally used septum with a slit. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a top view of a modified septum attached to a vial. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the structure of a microplate in which a sheet that is a second embodiment of a cover member according to the present invention is used. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a seat according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a seat according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a sheet according to a second embodiment is attached to a microplate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a cover member according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings used in the following description are all schematic diagrams, and are illustrated at a scale different from the actual scale as necessary in order to make the features of each part easier to understand.

[0013] A first embodiment of a cover member according to the present invention is a septum that covers the opening of a vial that contains a liquid sample. A plurality of vials, each containing a liquid sample, are arranged in a sample rack and set in a predetermined position in an autosampler. The autosampler is connected to an analytical device such as a liquid chromatograph, and the liquid sample collected by the autosampler is analyzed by the analytical device.

[0014] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of a liquid chromatograph 10. The liquid chromatograph 10 includes a mobile phase container 11 that contains a mobile phase, a liquid delivery pump 12 that delivers the mobile phase contained in the mobile phase container 11, an injector 13 that introduces a liquid sample into the mobile phase, a column 14 that separates compounds contained in the liquid sample, a column oven 15 that maintains the temperature of the column 14 constant, and a detector 16 that detects the compounds separated in the column 14. An autosampler 20 is connected to the injector 13.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main components of the autosampler 20. In the autosampler 20, a sample rack 22 is arranged in which a capped vial 30 (see FIG. 3) containing a liquid sample and having a cap 32 and a septum 33 attached thereto (described later) is set. An injection port 23, a needle washing port (not shown), and a drain (not shown) are provided on the side of the sample rack 22. Above these, a sampling needle 24 and a sampling needle moving mechanism 25 for moving the sampling needle 24 in the horizontal and vertical directions are provided. The sampling needle moving mechanism 25 has a guide rail 251, a moving part 252 that moves along the guide rail 251, and a drive source housed in the moving part 252, and the sampling needle 24 is fixed to the moving part 252. The sampling needle moving mechanism 25 moves the sampling needle 24 to the position of each capped vial 30, and the liquid sample contained in each capped vial 30 is collected and introduced into the injection port 23. A liquid sample introduced into the injection port 23 is injected into the mobile phase flow through the injector 13 of the liquid chromatograph 10 .

[0016] Next, a septum 33 which is a first embodiment of a cover member according to the present invention will be described.

[0017] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a vial 31 containing a liquid sample with a septum 33 and a cap 32 attached thereto. The septum 33 is attached to the back side of the cap 32. By attaching the cap 32 with the septum 33 attached thereto to the vial 31, the opening of the vial 31 is covered with the septum 33.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a top view of the state in which the septum 33 is attached to the vial 31. A circular opening is provided in the center of the cap 32, and when the septum 33 is attached to the back surface of the cap 32, the septum 33 is exposed from the opening. The broken line in FIG. 4 indicates an insertion area 332 (corresponding to a predetermined area in the present invention) into which the sampling needle 24 is inserted when collecting a liquid sample contained in the vial 31, and three arc-shaped slits 331 are formed in an area outside the insertion area 332. These three slits 331 are provided on a concentric circle having a diameter 0.85 times the diameter of the opening of the vial 31. The central angle of each of these three arcs is 60 degrees, and they are arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the center of the opening of the vial 31. In other words, the slits 311 are provided on half the circumference of a concentric circle having a diameter 0.85 times the diameter of the opening of the vial 31. When the sampling needle 24 is not inserted into the septum 33, the slit 331 is closed, and the inside of the vial 31 is kept almost airtight. In this embodiment, the slit 311 is provided on the circumference of a concentric circle having a diameter 0.85 times the diameter of the opening of the vial 31, but this is just one example, and the slit 311 is preferably provided on a concentric circle having a diameter 0.8 to 0.95 times the diameter of the opening of the vial 31.

[0019] The septum 33 of the first embodiment is a disk-shaped sheet-like object made of an elastic material. As such a material, for example, resins such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polypropylene (PP), and silicone can be suitably used. In addition, a specific example of the septum 33 is one in which the upper part is made of silicone and the lower part is made of PTFE. By using the septum 33 made of such a material, even if deformation occurs when the sampling needle 24 is inserted, the septum 33 returns to its original shape after the sampling needle 24 is pulled out. In addition, since it is a sheet-like object, the sampling needle 24 can be easily inserted and pulled out.

[0020] In general, the autosampler 20 is configured to insert the sampling needle 24 into the center of the septum 33 (the center of the circular part covering the opening of the vial 31) when collecting a liquid sample contained in the vial 31. When the sampling needle 24 is inserted into the vial 31 to which the septum 33 of the first embodiment is attached, the force of the insertion pulls the center of the septum 33 downward (left side of FIG. 5), and the entire septum 33 is deformed, and accordingly the slit 331 of the septum 33 opens (right side of FIG. 5), and the internal space of the vial 31 communicates with the external space. Therefore, the inside of the vial 31 is not pressurized when the sampling needle 24 is inserted, and the inside of the vial 31 is not negatively pressurized when the liquid sample is collected, so that the liquid sample can be collected accurately. Also, when the sampling needle 24 is pulled out of the septum 33 after collecting the liquid sample, the center of the septum 33 is pulled upward (Figure 6), causing the entire septum 33 to deform, and as a result, the slit 331 in the septum 33 opens, connecting the internal space of the vial 31 with the external space.

[0021] If a large slit 311 is provided in the septum 33, it can be opened sufficiently with a small force. On the other hand, if the slit 311 is too large, the slit 311 opens too wide and cracks are likely to occur from the ends. In consideration of these points, it is preferable that the central angle of each slit 311 is 30 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less. Furthermore, the wider the range in which the slits 311 are provided, the better the ventilation between the internal space and the external space of the vial 31, but if the range in which the slits 311 are provided is too wide, cracks are likely to occur at the boundary between adjacent slits 311. In consideration of these points, it is preferable that the sum of the central angles of each slit 311 is 90 degrees or more and 270 degrees or less. Furthermore, in order to avoid localized force application by equally deforming the septum 33 when the sampling needle 24 is inserted, it is preferable that the slits 311 are provided rotationally symmetrically with respect to the center of the opening of the vial 31.

[0022] Conventionally, in order to prevent the inside of a vial from being pressurized when a sampling needle is inserted or from becoming negative pressure when a liquid sample is collected, a septum 34 with a cross-shaped slit 341 in the center or a septum 35 with a straight slit 351 as shown in FIG. 7 has been used. When such septums 34 and 35 are used, the internal space of the vial communicates with the external space through the slits 341 and 351, so that the inside of the vial is not pressurized or becomes negative pressure, and a liquid sample can be collected accurately. However, with these septums 34 and 35, when the sampling needle is pulled out, a part of the liquid sample adhering to the outer peripheral surface is not wiped off by the septum and remains adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the sampling needle. Then, after a certain liquid sample is collected and analyzed, when another liquid sample is collected, the liquid sample collected earlier is mixed into the subsequent liquid sample (carry-over occurs), causing an error in the measurement result.

[0023] In contrast, in the septum 33 of the first embodiment, a slit 331 is provided in an area other than the specified insertion area 332 into which the sampling needle 24 is inserted. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, after collecting a liquid sample, when the sampling needle 24 is pulled out from the septum 33, the liquid sample adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the sampling needle 24 is wiped off by the septum 33, thereby preventing carryover.

[0024] In general, the autosampler 20 is designed so that the sampling needle 24 is inserted into the center of the septum 33 when collecting a liquid sample contained in the vial 31. In addition, the autosampler 20 mechanically moves the sampling needle 24 by a predetermined length, so that the position at which the sampling needle 24 penetrates the septum 33 is small. Therefore, in the septum 33 attached so as to cover the opening of the vial 31 set in the autosampler 20, for example, a portion that is concentric with the opening of the vial 31 and has a diameter equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the sampling needle 24 and equal to or smaller than three times the outer diameter of the sampling needle 24 may be set as the above-mentioned predetermined insertion region 332, and a slit 331 may be provided outside the above-mentioned portion. In addition, since the sampling needle 24 penetrates the center of the opening, it is preferable that the insertion region 332 is a region that includes the center of the septum 33.

[0025] Normally, liquid samples are collected using the autosampler 20, but when an analyst manually collects liquid samples from the vial 31 using a syringe or the like, it is preferable to make the above-mentioned predetermined range wider. Specifically, for example, a portion that is a concentric circle of the opening of the vial 31 and has a suitable diameter of 0.5 times or less than the diameter of the opening may be set as the above-mentioned predetermined insertion region 332, and a slit 331 may be provided outside of the above-mentioned predetermined insertion region 332. In other words, for example, if a concentric circle of the opening having a diameter of 0.5 times the diameter of the opening is set as the above-mentioned predetermined insertion region 332, and a slit 331 is provided outside of the above-mentioned predetermined insertion region 332, it can be used both when a liquid sample is collected by the autosampler 20 and when a liquid sample is manually collected by an analyst. In the septum 33 of the first embodiment, the slit 331 is provided on a concentric circle of the opening having a diameter of 0.85 times the diameter of the opening of the vial 31, and therefore it can be used suitably in either case.

[0026] When the sampling needle 24 is inserted into the center of the septum 33, a force is applied in the radial direction of the opening. In the septum 33 of the first embodiment, the septum 33 has an arc-shaped slit 331 that is perpendicular to the radial direction of the opening, so that the slit 331 opens easily and the internal space of the vial 31 easily communicates with the external space.

[0027] However, the shape of the slit 331 is not limited to the above-mentioned arc shape, and can be appropriately changed according to various conditions such as the material constituting the septum 33 and the size of the opening. Since a force is applied in the radial direction of the opening when the sampling needle 24 or syringe is inserted into the center of the septum 33, if the slit is formed in a direction intersecting the radial direction of the opening, the slit can be opened when the sampling needle 24 or the like is inserted. For example, when the septum 36 is made of a material that easily deforms, a slit 361 as shown in FIG. 8 may be provided. When the sampling needle 24 is repeatedly inserted into the septum 36, the end of the slit 361 gradually tears, making the septum 33 more likely to tear. By providing a slit that extends in a direction close to the diameter of the opening (the slit 361 extends in a direction inclined by 15 degrees with respect to the radial direction of the opening in FIG. 8) to which a force is applied when the sampling needle 24 or the like is inserted, the slit 361 can be made less likely to tear.

[0028] Next, a sheet which is a second embodiment of the cover member according to the present invention will be described.

[0029] The sheet 50 of the second embodiment is used to cover a microplate 40 that contains a large number of liquid samples, as shown in Fig. 9. The microplate 40 has, for example, 96 wells 41, which are small recesses, arranged in a grid pattern (12 x 8), and a liquid sample is contained in each of the multiple wells 41. The microplate 40, with the liquid sample contained in each well 41, is also set in a predetermined position in the autosampler, and the liquid sample is collected from each well in a predetermined procedure.

[0030] Fig. 10 is a plan view of the sheet 50, and Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet 50. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet 50 attached to the microplate 40. The sheet 50 is provided with dome-shaped well covering parts 51 having approximately the same diameter as the diameter of each well 41 at positions corresponding to each well 41 of the microplate 40. When the sheet 50 is in use, as shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 12, the sheet 50 is fixed to the upper surface of the microplate 40 by fitting each well covering part 51 into each well 41 of the microplate 40 with the dome-shaped part facing downward.

[0031] As shown in an enlarged view on the right side of FIG. 10, in the sheet 50 of the second embodiment, slits 511 are formed in each well covering portion 51. As in FIG. 3, the dashed line in FIG. 10 indicates an insertion region 512 (corresponding to a predetermined region in the present invention) into which a sampling needle is inserted when collecting a liquid sample contained in the well 41. In each well covering portion 51, three arc-shaped slits 511 are formed in a region outside the insertion region 512. These three slits 511 are provided on a concentric circle of an opening having a diameter 0.85 times the diameter of the opening of each well 41 (dotted line in FIG. 10). In addition, the central angle of each of these three arcs is 60 degrees, and they are arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the center of the opening of the well 41. In this embodiment, too, slits 511 are provided on the circumference of a concentric circle having a diameter 0.85 times the diameter of the opening of each well 41, but this is just one example, and it is preferable that slits 511 are provided on a concentric circle having a diameter of 0.8 to 0.95 times the diameter of the opening of well 41.

[0032] The sheet 50 of the second embodiment is also made of an elastic material, like the septum 33 of the first embodiment. As such a material, a resin such as silicone can be suitably used. By using the sheet 50 made of such a material, even if the sheet is deformed when the sampling needle is inserted, it will return to its original shape after the sampling needle is pulled out.

[0033] In the sheet 50 of the second embodiment, when a sampling needle is inserted into the well-covering portion 51, the force of the insertion pulls the center of the well-covering portion 51 downward, causing the entire well-covering portion 51 to deform, and the slit 511 formed in the well-covering portion 51 opens accordingly, connecting the internal space of the well 41 to the external space. After a liquid sample is collected, when the sampling needle is pulled out of the well-covering portion 51, the center of the well-covering portion 51 is pulled upward, causing the entire well-covering portion 51 to deform, and the slit 511 opens accordingly, connecting the internal space of the well 41 to the external space. Therefore, the inside of the well 41 is not pressurized, and the inside of the well 41 is not negatively pressurized when the liquid sample is collected, and the liquid sample can be collected accurately.

[0034] In addition, since the slits 511 are provided in an area other than the designated insertion area 512 into which the sampling needle 24 is inserted, as in Figure 6, when the sampling needle is pulled out from the well covering portion 51 after collecting a liquid sample, the liquid sample adhering to the outer surface of the sampling needle is wiped off by the well covering portion 51, thereby preventing carryover.

[0035] In the sheet 50 of the second embodiment, the position and shape of the slits 511 can be appropriately changed in the same manner as described for the septum 33 of the first embodiment.

[0036] The above-described embodiments are merely examples and can be modified as appropriate in accordance with the spirit of the present invention.

[0037] In both the septum 33 of the first embodiment and the sheet 50 of the second embodiment, a specified insertion area 312, 512 is provided in the center of the opening of the vial 31 or well 41, assuming that a sample collection tool such as a sampling needle will be inserted in the center of the opening. However, when used in an apparatus designed to insert a sample collection tool into a part other than the center of the vial 31 or well 41, a septum or sheet can be used in which the specified insertion area 312, 512 is provided in a corresponding position and slits 311, 511 are formed in the other parts.

[0038] In both the septum 33 of the first embodiment and the sheet 50 of the second embodiment, the openings of the vial 31 and well 41 are described as being circular, but these openings may be shapes other than circular, and the position and shape of the slit may be appropriately changed depending on the shape of the opening. Also, in the first embodiment, the septum 33 is attached to the cap 32, but the septum 33 may be attached to the vial 31 without using the cap 32 and cover the opening.

[0039] In the sheet 50 of the second embodiment, the dome-shaped well covering portions 51 are provided at positions corresponding to the multiple wells 41 of the microplate 40, but a flat sheet may also be used. In that case, virtual regions corresponding to the openings of the multiple wells 41 are set on the sheet, and slits 511 similar to those described above are formed in the virtual regions, and the sheet is fixed to the upper surface of the microplate 40 by applying adhesive to the four corners of the sheet, for example.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the liquid chromatograph 10 and the autosampler 20 are used as an example, but their use is optional.

[0041] [Aspects] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above-described exemplary embodiments are illustrative of the following aspects.

[0042] (Section 1) One aspect of the present invention is a cover member for covering an opening of a sample storage container in which a liquid sample is stored, comprising: The sample collecting device is made of an elastic sheet material and has slits in an area other than a predetermined area into which a sample collecting tool for collecting the liquid sample is inserted.

[0043] The predetermined area is an area into which a sample collecting tool is expected to be inserted when collecting a liquid sample. In a sample container equipped with the cover member according to paragraph 1, when a sample collecting tool is inserted into a predetermined insertion area, the internal space of the sample container communicates with the external space through a slit provided in the cover member. Therefore, the inside of the sample container is not pressurized, and the inside of the sample container is not negatively pressurized when a liquid sample is collected, so that the liquid sample can be collected accurately. In addition, since the slit is provided in an area other than the area where the sample collecting tool is expected to be inserted, the liquid sample adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the sample collecting tool is wiped off when the sample collecting tool is pulled out after the liquid sample is collected, and the occurrence of carryover can be suppressed.

[0044] (Section 2) The cover member according to paragraph 2 is the cover member according to paragraph 1, The opening is circular, and the slit is provided on the outside of a concentric circle having a diameter 0.5 times the diameter of the opening.

[0045] When the sampling tool is moved mechanically, such as with an autosampler, the variation in the position where the sampling tool is inserted is small. On the other hand, when an analyst manually operates the sampling tool to collect a liquid sample, unless the analyst is an experienced analyst, the insertion position of the sampling tool may vary. In the cover member according to paragraph 2, a slit is formed outside a concentric circle having a diameter 0.5 times the diameter of the opening of the sampling tool, and a wide area into which the sampling tool can be inserted is formed, so that the cover member can be suitably used even when an unskilled analyst manually collects a liquid sample.

[0046] (Section 3) The cover member according to paragraph 3 is the cover member according to paragraph 2, The slits are in the shape of one or more circular arcs, and the central angle of the one or more circular arcs is equal to or greater than 30 degrees and equal to or less than 90 degrees.

[0047] When the sample collector is inserted into the center of the opening, the cover member is pulled toward the center and deformed as a whole. In the cover member according to paragraph 3, each slit is an arc with a central angle of 30 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less, so that the slit easily opens when pulled toward the center of the cover member, thereby allowing communication between the internal space of the sample storage container and the external space.

[0048] (Section 4) The cover member according to paragraph 4 is a cover member according to either paragraph 2 or paragraph 3, The sum of the central angles of the one or more circular arcs is equal to or greater than 90 degrees and equal to or less than 270 degrees.

[0049] In the cover member according to the fourth aspect, the total of the central angles of one or more arcs is 90 degrees or more, thereby improving ventilation between the internal space and the external space of the sample holding container, and the total of the central angles of one or more arcs is 270 degrees or less, thereby preventing cracks from occurring at the boundary between adjacent slits.

[0050] (Section 5) The cover member according to paragraph 5 is a cover member according to any one of paragraphs 2 to 4, The slits are provided rotationally symmetrically about the center of the opening.

[0051] When a sample collection tool is inserted into the center of the cover member, a force is applied that pulls the entire cover member toward the center. In the cover member according to paragraph 5, the slits are provided rotationally symmetrically with respect to the center of the opening, so that when a force is applied toward the center, the cover member is deformed equally, thereby preventing damage caused by localized force.

[0052] (Section 6) A septum according to a sixth aspect is a cover member according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, which covers an opening of a vial that is a sample storage container.

[0053] (Section 7) The septum according to the seventh aspect is the septum according to the sixth aspect, The portion covering the opening of the vial is circular, The predetermined area is an area including the center of the circle.

[0054] (Section 8) The sheet according to claim 8 is the cover member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and covers the openings of a plurality of wells of a microplate which is the sample-holding container.

[0055] (Section 9) The sheet according to paragraph 9 is the sheet according to paragraph 8, A well covering portion for covering each of the wells is formed at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of wells.

[0056] (Section 10) The sheet according to paragraph 10 is the sheet according to paragraph 9, the well covering portion is circular; The predetermined region is provided for each of the well-covering portions, and each of the predetermined regions is a region that includes the center of the corresponding well-covering portion.

[0057] The cover member according to paragraphs 1 to 5 can be suitably used as a septum for covering the opening of a vial as described in paragraphs 6 and 7, or as a sheet for covering the openings of multiple wells provided in a microplate as described in paragraphs 8 to 10. When used as a septum, as described in paragraph 7, the portion covering the opening of the vial is often circular, and in that case, the area including the center of the circle may be set as the predetermined area. When used as a sheet for covering the openings of multiple wells, as described in paragraph 9, a well-covering portion is formed at a position corresponding to each well, and as described in paragraph 10, the well-covering portion is made circular, and the area including the center of the circle may be set as the predetermined area. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10...Liquid chromatograph 20…Autosampler 30…Capped vials 31…Vial 311...Slit 312…Insertion area 32…Cap 33, 36…Septum 331, 361...Slit 332…Insertion area 40…Microplate 41…Well 50…sheets 51...well covering part 511...Slit 512…Insertion area

Claims

1. A cover member for covering an opening of a sample container in which a liquid sample is contained, A cover member made of an elastic sheet material and having slits in an area other than a predetermined area into which a sample collecting tool for collecting the liquid sample is inserted.

2. 2. The cover member according to claim 1, wherein the opening is circular, and the slit is provided on the outside of a concentric circle having a diameter 0.5 times the diameter of the opening.

3. 3. The cover member according to claim 2, wherein the slits are one or more arc-shaped, and the central angle of the one or more arcs is 30 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less.

4. The cover member according to claim 3 , wherein the sum of the central angles of the one or more arcs is equal to or greater than 90 degrees and equal to or less than 270 degrees.

5. The cover member according to claim 2 , wherein the slits are provided rotationally symmetrically about the center of the opening.

6. 2. A cover member according to claim 1, which is a septum for covering an opening of a vial that is the sample container.

7. The portion covering the opening of the vial is circular, The septum according to claim 6 , wherein the predetermined area is an area including the center of the circle.

8. 2. A cover member according to claim 1, which is a sheet for covering openings of a plurality of wells of a microplate which is the sample container.

9. The sheet according to claim 8 , wherein well covering portions that cover the wells are formed at positions corresponding to the plurality of wells.

10. the well covering portion is circular; The sheet according to claim 9 , wherein the predetermined area is provided for each of the well covering portions, and each of the predetermined areas is an area including the center of the corresponding well covering portion.

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