Sample storage rack system

Abstract

To provide a sample storage rack system that enables automatic opening and closing of a sample storage body with bridge covers and bridge beams.SOLUTION: A portion of a lid body 210 of a sample storage body 200 with multiple lid body bridges comprises a long edge flange 213 that is long in an outer circumferential direction, and an upper part of a cylindrical part 120 of a storage rack body 110 comprises a frame body 130 that comprises: a contact edge part 131 with which only the long edge flange 213 is in contact, and a carved edge recess part 132 that forms a recessed space in which the portion other than the long edge flange 213 and a bridge body 230 are accommodated. When the sample storage body 200 with lid body bridges in a lid body closed state is accommodated in the storage rack body 110, the long edge flange 213 becomes in contact with the contact edge part 131, and the sample storage body 200 with lid body bridges is in a lid body closed state where it is upright and locked. When the lid body 210 is pressed down, a tube body 220 moves downward while the long edge flange 213 remains in contact with the contact edge part 131, and the lid body 210 separates from the tube body and can be opened. A reverse operation may be adopted when closing the lid body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rack system having a function of efficiently opening and closing caps on sample containers used for intermediate dispensing in various analyses in the medical and physicochemical fields. [Background technology]

[0002] The sample container is used in the research and development of pharmaceuticals and chemicals, and has a variety of uses. For example, it can be used as an intermediate dispensing container. This type is also called a sampling tube, and is used, for example, in the field of sequencing when synthesizing genes in the process of preparing libraries, and in the field of antigen-antibody reactions when incubating for antibody binding. The uses are not limited to these, and it is widely used for simple small-scale enzyme preparation and reagent preparation, etc. In this case, the sample container is not primarily intended for storage, so it is considered to be useful as an audit trail as an intermediate dispensing container.

[0003] Especially small ones are called microtubes, and many of them are stored in rows on storage racks. Microtubes are becoming smaller. By using small microtubes, it is possible to store many microtubes in a sample storage rack, which allows for more efficient use of laboratory space. As analytical techniques for samples have improved, less sample can be stored inside, and so the capacity of microtubes has become smaller.

[0004] Microtubes that have been used conventionally for intermediate dispensing have a structure that has an opening on the top surface, a tube body that can store samples inside, and a lid that tightly seals the top opening of the sample container that stores the samples. Screw-on types are separate types in which the lid and the main container are separated, and there are no types in which the two are integrated.

[0005] The lids are available in screw-on and push-plug types. FIG. 20 is a simplified diagram showing a conventional hinged press plug type microtube 1. 20, the hinged press plug type microtube 1 has a press plug type lid 14 fitted into the top opening 5 of the tube body 4, making it possible to open and close it. The tube body 4 and the lid 14 are connected by a hinge 17, and even when the lid 14 is released from the tube body 4, the hinge 17 prevents the lid 14 from being separated. The lid in FIG. 20 has a flat upper surface, but the inner surface of the lid has a protrusion that fits into the upper opening 5 of the tube body 4.

[0006] In this hinged push plug type microtube 1, the flange 15 of the lid 14 is flipped up by manual operation such as with the thumb, the lid 14 is pushed up to release the top opening 5 of the tube body 4, and the lid 14 is manually pushed down from above with the thumb to plug the top opening 5 of the tube body 4.

[0007] This conventional hinged press-plug type microtube 1 has many variations, but this basic shape is widely used on the market and is used in a variety of research projects. As this conventional hinged press-plug type microtube 1 has become widespread, storage racks and various inspection devices have become compatible with this hinged press-plug type microtube 1, and it is difficult to replace it to accommodate other types of microtubes with different external shapes, making it a de facto standard shape.

[0008] Many of the sample containers used for intermediate dispensing are hinged press-plug type microtubes 1, and it is expected that hinged press-plug type microtubes 1 will continue to be used due to their compatibility with samples stored in the past.

[0009] Since each hinged press-plug type microtube array is an independent sample storage body, it is necessary to identify each microtube array individually. In recent years, it is becoming mainstream to write bar codes or two-dimensional codes that encode sample management information on the side or bottom of the storage tube, and to read the bar codes or two-dimensional codes during the management process to identify and manage each microtube.

[0010] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-153446 A DISCLOSURE OF THEINVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] Here, the automated processing of hinged press-plug type microtubes is becoming more diverse. The hinged press-plug type microtubes are taken out of the storage rack, transported, stored in the storage rack body, and inserted into the sample analyzer, all of which are handled by automated machines. However, a major challenge with conventional technology is the opening and closing of the press stopper of a hinged press stopper type microtube. This opening task is essential to access the samples stored inside, but it is difficult to automate, and currently researchers manually open the stopper by pushing up the flange with their thumbs, etc. Similarly, the closing task is essential to store samples inside, but it is difficult to automate, and currently researchers manually close the stopper by pushing down the flange with their thumbs, etc. The operation of opening a tube by pushing up the flange with a thumb or the like, and the operation of closing a tube by pushing down the flange with a thumb or the like, are surprisingly difficult, and there is a risk of the microtube swinging up and down or tilting, which could cause the sample inside to be affected or to fly out.

[0012] In order to facilitate the opening operation of the microtube by pushing the flange up with a thumb or the like, and the closing operation of the microtube by pushing the flange down with a thumb or the like, if the diameter of the hinged press stopper is made smaller than the diameter of the opening of the microtube body, making it a so-called loose stopper, this makes the opening and closing operations easier, but it causes the storage conditions of the samples inside to deteriorate, creating problems with sample management itself.

[0013] Therefore, it is necessary to automate the opening and closing operations mechanically rather than manually, while maintaining the diameter of the press plug of a hinged press plug type microtube that is an ideal size that matches the diameter of the opening of the microtube body. If the capping and closing operations could be automated, it would be possible to automate all operations, from the series of processes of storing samples in hinged press-stop type microtubes to the sample management process and sample removal process. In other words, all necessary operations, such as the transport of hinged press-stop type microtubes to storage racks, the uncapping of hinged press-stop type microtubes, the introduction of samples into the tubes, the capping of hinged press-stop type microtubes, the removal of hinged press-stop type microtubes from storage racks, transport, and insertion into sample analyzers, could be handled by an automated machine.

[0014] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a sample storage rack system that uses hinged press-cap type microtubes as microtubes and enables automatic opening and closing of the hinged lid, and to provide an automatic opening and closing device that performs the opening and closing operations of the sample storage rack system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] In order to achieve the above object, the sample storage body of the present invention is a sample storage rack system that combines a tube body for storing samples, a press-plug type lid body for sealing the top opening of the tube body, a plurality of lid bridge-equipped sample storage bodies having bridge bodies that bridge the tube body and the lid body, and a storage rack body in which cylindrical sections having a diameter and depth for storing the lid bridge-equipped sample storage bodies are formed in a matrix of rows and columns, the lid body having a flange section on the outer periphery, a part of the flange section having a long edge flange that is long in the outer periphery direction, a contact edge section that only the long edge flange of the flange section of the lid body abuts on the upper part of the cylindrical section of the storage rack body, and a part of the flange section other than the long edge flange and the This sample storage rack system is characterized in that it comprises a frame body having an edge recess that provides a recess space through which the bridge body can move downward, and when the sample storage body with lid bridge in a closed state is placed in the cylindrical portion of the storage rack body, the long edge flange abuts the abutting edge portion, and the sample storage body with lid bridge is locked in an upright lid closed and locked state, and when the lid is pressed down from above in the lid closed and locked state, the long edge flange remains abutting the abutting edge portion while the rest of the lid body except for the long edge flange sinks into the recess space of the edge recess and the tube body moves downward within the cylindrical portion, allowing the lid to be detached from the tube body and opened.

[0016] With the above configuration, the sample container with lid bridge in the lid closed and locked state is locked in the air in an upright state in the cylindrical section with the long edge flange hooked on the abutting edge, and the lid can be pressed down from above, and the tube body of the sample container with lid bridge descends straight down along the wall surface of the cylindrical section with the long edge flange still hooked on the abutting edge, so that the lid can be removed from the opening of the tube body and opened. This opening operation is performed by mechanical operation only and can be automated. The use of the sample container with a lid bridge is not limited, but it can be used, for example, as an intermediate dispensing container for intermediate dispensing in various analyses in the medical and physicochemical fields. It can also be used, for example, as a storage container for temporarily storing samples.

[0017] In the storage rack system of the above configuration, a frame body rotation axis is provided on the upper surface of the storage rack body, which serves as the rotation axis that serves as the base point for raising the frame body from an approximately horizontal state to an approximately vertical state, and when the frame body is raised around the frame body rotation axis, the lid body, which is in an open state and abutting the abutment edge portion, rotates in accordance with the rotation of the frame body, and the opening angle of the lid body can be controlled. With the above-described configuration, the frame body can be rotated about the frame body rotation axis to control the opening angle of the lid body in the open state, which simplifies the opening operation.

[0018] Next, in the arrangement of the cylindrical portions formed in a matrix of rows and columns of the storage rack body of the storage rack system of the above configuration, it is preferable that the frame body is arranged along the rows or columns of the storage rack body, the sample storage body with lid bridge is stored in the cylindrical portion in a state where the long edge flange abuts the frame body, and the opening angle of the lid of the sample storage body with lid bridge stored in the cylindrical portion of the corresponding row or column can be controlled by rotating the frame body. With the above-described configuration, the opening angle of the lid body in the open state can be controlled.

[0019] Next, in the storage rack system of the above configuration, it is preferable that the bottom of the cylindrical portion of the storage rack body is open, a top opening flange is provided on the edge of the top opening of the tube body, the diameter of the top opening flange is larger than the diameter of the edge recess and smaller than the diameter of the upper end opening of the cylindrical portion, and when the lid body is pressed from above and the tube body moves downward within the cylindrical portion, the lid body is in an open-capped and locked state in which the sample storage body with lid bridge is engaged with the cylindrical portion of the storage rack body by the top opening flange with the lid body open. With the above-mentioned configuration, even when the lid is in the open and locked state, the sample storage body with the lid bridge in the upright position within the cylindrical portion will not fall.

[0020] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned storage rack system, a lower support body can be provided as a part of the storage rack body, which is assembled below the bottom of the cylindrical portion and has protrusions erected thereon to support from below the bottom surface of the sample storage body with lid bridge stored in the cylindrical portion, and the protrusions are erected on the lower support body to correspond to the matrix-like arrangement of the cylindrical portion of the storage rack body, and the height of the protrusions is such that, when the storage rack body and the lower support body are assembled together, the protrusions push upward the bottom surface of the sample storage body with lid bridge, raising the sample storage body with lid bridge from a height position in the lid open-locked state to a height position in the lid closed-locked state. With the above configuration, the transition between the height position of the lid body in the open and locked state and the height position of the lid body in the closed and locked state, which is required for the automatic opening and closing of the lid body, can be automated. In addition, when switching from the lid body closed locking state to the lid body open locking state in order to open the lid body, the lower support is not used, and when switching from the lid body open locking state to the lid body closed locking state in order to close the lid body, the lower support is used.

[0021] Next, printing for identifying individual sample containers with lid bridges will be described. For printing purposes, it is preferable that the tube body, the lid and the bridge are formed as a single unit, with a portion of the unit being made of a translucent material and the other portion being made of an opaque material onto which an information printing code can be written, and that writing areas made of the opaque material are provided on at least the top surface of the lid and the bottom surface of the tube body, making it possible to write information on at least both the top surface of the lid and the bottom surface of the tube body. With the above configuration, it is possible to provide the physical properties required for storing a sample and the physical properties required for printing.

[0022] More specifically, the lid has a flat top surface and a ribbed bottom surface that fits into the top opening of the tube body, and it is possible to configure the lid to have two-dimensional code information printed on the top surface of the lid, to have two-dimensional code information printed on the bottom surface of the tube body, or to have one-dimensional code information printed on the side of the tube body. As described above, in conventional sample storage containers with bridges, there have been no examples of a continuous opaque material extending from the top of the lid to the bridge, part of the side of the tube body, and the bottom of the tube body; the present invention is the first to provide a continuous writing area extending from the top to the bottom of the lid. The information printed code written in the writing area is written on the top surface of the lid, the side surface of the main body, and the bottom surface of the main body, and the type of the information printed code can be selected according to the area. For example, a two-dimensional dot code can be used for writing areas with small areas such as the top surface of the lid and the bottom surface of the main body, and a one-dimensional code such as a bar code or numbers can be used for writing areas with relatively large areas. The content of the information written can be the same on the top surface of the lid, the side surface of the main body, and the bottom surface of the main body. By using the same information, the same information can be read even if the reading position is changed depending on the position in the rack or the position during transportation. Also, different information can be written on the top surface of the lid, the side surface of the main body, and the bottom surface of the main body. If the information is different, multiple pieces of information can be carried on one small sample storage body. As for the material of the sample storage body with lid bridge, it is preferable that the light-transmitting material is a thermoplastic resin material with high rigidity, and the opaque material for the printing area is a thermoplastic elastomer resin material with elasticity.

[0023] Next, the automatic capping / uncapping device of the present invention is an automatic capping / uncapping device capable of automatically performing the capping and capping operations of the above-mentioned sample storage rack system, and includes a lower support lifting device for lifting and lowering the lower support, a lid pressing actuator, and a lid open / closed state control unit rotation mechanism, and during the capping operation, the lower support is lowered from the storage rack body by the lower support lifting device to a detached state, the lid is pressed downward by the pressing actuator to remove the lid from the tube body, and the lid is shifted from the capped locked state to the capped unlocked state by the cap open / closed state control unit rotation mechanism. The lid opening / closing operation is automated by rotating the lid opening / closing state control unit to control the opening angle of the lid, and during the capping operation, the lower support is raised to the storage rack body by the lower support lifting device and assembled, the sample storage body with lid bridge is placed in the lid open / closed engaged state, the lid is pressed downward by the push-down actuator while rotating the lid opening / closing state control unit by the lid opening / closing state rotation mechanism, and the lid is fitted into the opening of the cylindrical portion, and the lid is transitioned from the lid open / closed engaged state to the lid closed engaged state, thereby automating the capping operation. With the above configuration, by combining a lower support lifting device that raises and lowers the lower support, a push-down actuator that presses the lid body downward, and a lid opening / closing state control unit rotation mechanism, which are relatively simple devices, the lid opening and closing operations can be automated. Effect of the Invention

[0024] According to the sample storage body with a bridge of the present invention, in a sample storage body with a bridge in which the tube body and the lid are connected by a bridge, it is possible to perform an automatic lid opening operation in which the lid of the sample storage body with a lid bridge, which is in a lid closing and locking state, is removed from the opening of the tube body, and an automatic lid closing operation in which the lid of the sample storage body with a lid bridge, which is in a lid opening and locking state, is pushed into the opening of the tube body to close it. In addition, according to the automatic capping and closing device of the present invention, the capping and closing operations can be automated by combining a lower support lifting device that raises and lowers the lower support with a push-down actuator that presses the lid body downward. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram showing the sample storage unit 200 with a lid bridge when the lid 210 is in a closed state. [Diagram 2] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the left side of the sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge in a closed state. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram showing the sample storage unit 200 with a lid bridge when the lid 210 is in an open state. [Figure 4] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the left side of a sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge in an open state. FIG. [Diagram 5] This is a perspective view of the storage rack body 110 seen from above in a state in which the frame bodies 130 are laid horizontally. Fig. 5 shows the state in which the frame bodies 130 are laid horizontally, and Fig. 6 shows the state in which one of the frame bodies 130 is set up vertically. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of the storage rack body 110 as viewed from above, with one of the frame bodies 130 standing vertically. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a sample storage body with a lid bridge 200 is stored in each cylindrical portion 120 of a storage rack body 110. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the sample storage body with a lid bridge 200 in the lid closed and locked state is accessed and pressed down from above to open the lid 210. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the frame body 130 is rotated around the frame body rotation axis and moved upwardly away from the upper edge 121 of the cylindrical portion 120 of the storage rack body 110. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram showing a lower support 150 for use during the capping operation. [Figure 11]13 is a diagram showing a state in which the lid 210 is closed on the sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge in the lid open / locked state. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an operation for closing the cap. [Figure 13] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a simple configuration of an automatic capping / uncapping device 300 and an uncapping operation thereof. [Figure 14] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a simple capping operation of the automatic capping and uncapping device 300. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a simple configuration of a sample storage rack body 110A different from that of the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which a sample storage body with a lid bridge 200 is attached to a sample storage rack body 110A. [Figure 17] 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the lid 210 of the sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge attached to the sample storage rack body 110A is pressed down from above to open the lid 210. FIG. [Figure 18] 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the lid 210 of the opened sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge has been raised upward to completely open the upper opening 221. FIG. [Figure 19] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing a procedure for closing the lid 210 of the sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge by pressing down from above in an open state. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional sample storage unit with a bridge (JP Patent Publication No. 2007-153446). BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THEINVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the storage rack system storing the sample storage bodies with lid bridges of the present invention and an automatic capping and capping device that automatically operates the storage rack system will be described. However, it goes without saying that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific applications, shapes, numbers, etc. shown in the following embodiments. Example 1

[0027] A storage rack system according to a first embodiment of the present invention and an automatic capping and closing device for automatically operating the storage rack system will be described. In storage rack system 100, cylindrical sections 120 are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns on storage rack body 110; however, in the following drawings, when a matrix appears, the horizontal arrangement in the drawing will be referred to as "rows" and the vertical arrangement as "columns."

[0028] First, we will explain the sample storage body with a lid bridge 200 stored in the storage rack system 100. This sample storage body with a lid bridge 200 may be one available on the market, and it is assumed that a person skilled in the art will understand its structure, etc. The use of the sample storage unit with lid bridge 200 is not limited, but here, an example will be described in which it is used as an intermediate dispensing container for intermediate dispensing in various analyses in the medical and physicochemical fields. Here, the specimen housing 200 with a body bridge has the structure shown in Figures 1 to 4. However, the specimen housing 200 with a body bridge does not have to be the one shown in Figures 1 to 4, and can be applied to the storage rack system 100 of the present invention as long as it has the respective components of the lid 210, the tube body 220, the bridge portion 230, and the information printed code 240.

[0029] 1 and 2 are diagrams showing one sample storage body with a lid bridge 200 stored in a storage rack system 100 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram showing a sample storage unit 200 with a lid bridge when the lid 210 is in a closed state. FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of a sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge in a closed state, FIG. 1(b) is a left side view thereof, FIG. 1(c) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 1(d) is a bottom view thereof. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the left side of the sample storage unit 200 with a lid bridge in a closed state. FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram showing the sample storage unit 200 with a lid bridge when the lid 210 is in an open state. FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view of the sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge in a closed state, FIG. 3(b) is a left side view thereof, FIG. 3(c) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 3(d) is a bottom view thereof. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the left side of the sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge in an open state. 1 to 4, the sample storage body with lid and bridge 200 is integrally molded and includes three parts: a lid 210, a tube body 220, and a bridge 230. An information printed code 240 is printed on the top surface of the lid, the side surface of the tube body, and the bottom surface of the tube body.

[0030] The lid body 210 is a lid structure that opens and closes the top opening 221 of the tube body 220 . The cover 210 includes an upper surface 211, a push plug structure 212, a long flange 213, an outer peripheral edge 214, and a writing area 215.

[0031] The material of the lid 210 is suitably a plastic resin with high chemical resistance (for example, polypropylene, polyethylene olefin resin, etc.). Alternatively, a blend of a plurality of materials selected from these may be used as the raw material. In this embodiment, polypropylene is used. Polypropylene is a chemically stable material with high chemical resistance, and is an ideal material for use as one of the components of the sample storage body.

[0032] The upper surface 211 is the outer surface of the lid, and is flat in this example, although it may be of a type having a depression on the upper surface.

[0033] The push plug structure 212 is a protrusion provided on the lower part of the lid body 210, and in this example, a circumferential rib is formed. The outer diameter of this circumferential rib is sized to match the inner diameter of the top opening 221 of the tube body 220, and by pushing the push plug structure 212 of the lid body 210 towards the top opening 221 of the tube body 220, the two are fitted together. In this example, as shown in the cross-sectional views of Figs. 2 and 4, the push plug structure 212 has a cylindrical structure with a hollow center, but it may have a columnar structure with material in the center. In this example, the material of the push plug structure 212 is a flexible material that is more elastic than the inner tube 221 of the tube body 220, and by pushing the push plug structure 212 toward the top opening 221 of the tube body 220, it can be flexibly fitted in and can firmly grip the inner circumference of the top opening 221. It is also possible to combine this with a flexible material having elasticity on the inner periphery of the inner cylinder 221 of the tube body 220 and a material having rigidity on the press plug structure 212 side of the lid 210. Also, a flexible material having elasticity may be provided on the inner peripheral side of the inner cylinder 221 of the tube body 220, and the contact points between the cover 210 and the tube body 220 may both be made of a flexible material.

[0034] The long edge flange 213 is a portion of a flange that is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the lid body 210 and extends long in the outer peripheral direction. In other words, the lid body 210 is generally circular as a whole, but the long edge flange 213 is formed by a portion of the upper surface body 211 that extends long in the outer peripheral direction. The long edge flange 213 is generally a protrusion that triggers the opening and closing operations of the lid body 210, but in the storage rack system 100 of the present invention, as described below, this long edge flange 213 becomes a structure that abuts against the abutment edge portion 121 of the frame body 130, and in the automatic opening and closing device 300, the long edge flange 213 becomes the part that triggers the opening and closing operations of the lid body 210 when the abutment edge portion 121 of the frame body 130 is rotated by the lid body pressing actuator 320.

[0035] The outer peripheral edge 214 is a horseshoe-shaped portion extending from the long edge flange 213 to the outer peripheral edge of the lid 210. A certain degree of rigidity is required. In other words, a finger or mechanical pushing force applied to the long edge flange 213 is conducted from the long edge flange 213 through the outer peripheral edge 214, so that the lid 210 can be opened and closed without excessive bending of the entire lid 210, while maintaining a suitable rigidity.

[0036] The writing area 215 is a portion formed of an opaque material on which an information print code can be written, and serves as an area for writing the information print code. For example, a material that emits color with a laser is preferable. In this example, the top surface of the lid is flat, with a writing area 215 made of opaque material provided in the center. The top surface of the lid 210 is covered with a writing area 224 made of opaque material that can be written on with a laser. In other words, the structure allows information printing code to be written in the writing area 215 on the top surface 211 of the lid. If the top surface 211 is flat, it is relatively easy to print on with a laser. In this configuration example, the writing area 215 is secured widely, and is a continuous body extending from the writing area 215 on the top surface of the lid 210 to the writing area of ​​the bridge portion 230, the writing area 224 on a part of the side surface of the tube body 220, and further to the writing area 224 on the bottom surface 223 of the tube body. By making the writing area a continuous body in this way, the sample storage body with lid bridge 200 can be formed from two materials, the writing area and the non-writing area, making it easy to manufacture by two-color molding.

[0037] The opaque material used for the writing area 215 is, for example, a thermoplastic resin, an elastomer material that has both the elasticity of rubber and the properties of resin. The writing area 215 is made of a base material made of elastomer-based material and an additive that can turn white is kneaded into it, and the area is blackish before coloring. The area irradiated by the laser writing device changes color from blackish to white, allowing the information printing code 240 to be printed. The additive has photosensitive or heat-sensitive properties to the wavelength of the laser region. For example, an additive that changes color from black to white is a mixture of carbon black, low-order titanium oxide that changes color to white, and a silicon-containing compound.

[0038] Next, the tube body 220 will be described. The tube body 220 is the body of a container that contains a sample therein. The height of the tube main body 220 is preferably set to a height that can be accommodated in the cylindrical portion 120 of the storage rack body 110 since the tube main body 220 is stored inside the storage rack body 110 . In this configuration example, the sample holder 220 includes an upper opening 221, an inner cylinder 222 for storing a sample, a bottom surface 223, and a writing area 224. Although not shown, the sample holder 220 may be configured to include a packing.

[0039] The top opening 221 is an opening provided on the tube body 220. The diameter of the opening is not limited, but is sized to fit with the lid 210 as described below, and the inside can be sealed by fitting the two together in a press-plug manner.

[0040] The inner cylinder 222 is a test tube-like container body for containing a sample. The inner cylinder 222 is made of a light-transmitting material so that the inside can be observed. The material of the inner tube 222 is preferably a plastic resin, which is a light-transmitting material so that the preservation state of the sample sealed inside can be visually observed. The plastic resin may be a plastic with high chemical resistance (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, etc.). Alternatively, a blend of a number of these materials may be used as the raw material. In this embodiment, the transparent plastic raw material is polypropylene. Polypropylene is a chemically stable material with high chemical resistance and high transparency, making it an ideal material for use as one of the components of a sample storage body. It also has an appropriate rigidity and structural strength. This inner cylinder 222 is formed of a light-transmitting material as a base, and since this light-transmitting material does not contain a coloring agent for writing, it becomes a non-writing area, and an area where the information printing code is not written. Since the non-writing area is not printed with the information printing code and is made of a light-transmitting material, the sample inside can be visually confirmed. A writing area 224 made of an opaque material that can be written on with a laser is integrally molded into a part of this inner cylinder 222. As described later, by using a so-called two-color molding technique, it is possible to mold the base from a translucent material while molding the part corresponding to the writing area 224 from an opaque material that can be written on with a laser.

[0041] The bottom surface 223 is a component that seals the bottom surface of the tube body 220, and in this example, as shown in the bottom views of Figures 1 and 3, it is covered with a writing area 224 that is an opaque material that can be written on with a laser. In other words, the bottom surface 223 is structured so that information printing code can be written on it as well.

[0042] The writing area 224 on the side is strip-shaped, and since the vertical length can be secured relative to the width, for example, one-dimensional codes such as barcodes and integers can be printed on the side as information print codes. If the bottom and top surfaces are circular, the area will be small, so two-dimensional codes such as QR Code (registered trademark) and DATAMATRIX are printed on them. The opaque material used in the writing area 224 may be the same material as that used in the writing area 215, and in this case, an additive capable of coloring white is kneaded into a base material made of TPE, an elastomeric material with relatively high elasticity, and the material is blackish before coloring. The area irradiated by the laser writing device changes color from blackish to whiteish, allowing the information print code 240 to be printed.

[0043] Next, the bridge body 230 will be described. The bridge 230 is a member that bridges the lid 210 and the tube body 220, and what is called a "hinged tube" is equipped with this bridge 230. The lid 210 and the tube body 220 are integrated via this bridge 230. Since the bridge 230 deforms in response to the opening and closing operation of the lid 210, it is necessary for it to have a deformability that allows it to easily deform in response to the opening and closing operation of the lid 210, and at the same time, it is also necessary for it to have an elastic stress and structural strength that prevent it from being easily broken, since if it is accidentally cut, it may fall into an automatic machine that operates the sample storage body and cause a malfunction.

[0044] In the present invention, the bridge body 230 is designed to have a two-layer structure. The advantage of making the bridge body 230 a two-layer structure is that, first, it is suitable for molding by two-color molding when the writing area is made of an opaque material in a continuous manner from the top surface of the lid body 210 to the bottom surface of the tube body 220. Secondly, due to the need to have both deformability and structural strength properties as described above, a two-layer structure is used, with the inner layer that bends being made of a relatively rigid translucent material and the outer layer being made of an opaque material that is relatively elastic and flexible.

[0045] Next, the information print code 240 will be described. The information print code 240 is a code that associates information with a graphic and is printed in a writing area. It can be a one-dimensional code such as a barcode, or a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) or DATAMATRIX. The above is an example of the configuration of the sample housing 200 with a lid bridge.

[0046] Next, the storage rack body 110 for storing the above-mentioned sample storage body with lid bridge 200 will be described. 5 and 6 are perspective views of only the storage rack body 110 as viewed from above. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the frame bodies 130 are laid horizontally, and FIG. 6 shows a state in which one of the frame bodies 130 is set up vertically. FIG. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view of one row in FIG. 5(a) taken along line AA in the row direction. FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of one row in FIG. 6(a) taken along line BB in the row direction. 5 and 6 show a state in which the sample storage body with lid bridge 200 has not yet been stored. It should be noted that the storage rack body 110 in FIGS. 5 and 6 is drawn on a smaller scale than the scale of the sample storage body with lid bridge 200 drawn in FIGS.

[0047] 5 and 6, the storage rack body 110 is provided with a cylindrical section 120, a frame body 130 which is the upper structure of the cylindrical section 120 of the storage rack body 110, and a lid open / close state control section 140 which controls the movement of the frame body 130. In addition, although not shown in these Figs. 5 and 6, the storage rack body 110 is provided with a lower support body 150 which is the lower structure thereof.

[0048] The cylindrical portion 120 is a cylindrical hole structure provided in the storage rack body 110, and is sized to have a diameter and depth to store the sample storage body with lid bridge 200. In this example, the cylindrical portion 120 is formed in a matrix of rows and columns inside the storage rack body 110. In this example, the matrix is ​​4 rows and 4 columns. Note that it is not necessary for the matrix to be an orderly matrix, but as will be described later, it is convenient for the sample storage bodies with lid bridges 200 to be arranged in a matrix in order to perform the lid opening and closing operations on a plurality of the sample storage bodies with lid bridges 200 collectively using the frame body 130 and the automatic capping and uncapping device 300. As shown in Fig. 5(b) and Fig. 6(b), the cylindrical portion 120 has an upper opening 121 and a side surface 122, but has no bottom surface, and the bottom surface is open. Since the bottom surface is open, it can receive a protruding body 151 of a lower support body 150, as described below.

[0049] The frame body 130 has a structure including a contact edge portion 131 and an edge recess 132 . The abutting edge portion 131 is disposed so that when the lid bridge-equipped sample storage body 200 is properly stored in the cylindrical portion 120 of the storage rack body 110, only the long edge flange 213 of the flange portion of the lid body 210 abuts against it. The edge recess 132 provides a recess space for accommodating the portion of the flange other than the long edge flange 213, and a recess space for accommodating the bridge body 230, when the sample storage body with lid bridge 200 is normally accommodated in the cylindrical portion 120 of the storage rack body 110. The relationship between the abutting edge portion 131, the edge recess 132, and the lid body 210 of the sample storage body with lid bridge 200 can be easily understood by referring to Figures 7, 8, and 9.

[0050] The frame body 130 is structured so that the contact edge portion 131 and the edge recess 132 can be rotated together by the lid body open / closed state control unit 140. In other words, the lid body open / closed state control unit 140 has a frame body rotation axis that serves as the base point for the rotational movement that transitions the frame body 130 from a substantially horizontal state to a substantially vertical state and the rotational movement that transitions from a substantially vertical state to a substantially horizontal state.

[0051] The lower support 150, although not shown in Figures 5 and 6, is a component that is assembled to the lower part of the bottom of the cylindrical portion 120, and has a protruding body that supports from below the bottom surface of the sample storage body 200 with lid bridge that is stored in the cylindrical portion 121 of the storage rack body 110. As described below, the lower support 150 is not used when switching from the lid closed-locked state to the lid open-locked state in order to open the lid 210, but is used when switching from the lid open-locked state to the lid closed-locked state in order to close the lid 210. This point will be described in detail later.

[0052] Next, the movement of the frame body 130 will be described. Fig. 6 is a simple diagram showing the movement of the frame body 130 when the sample storage body with lid bridge 200 is not stored. In Fig. 5, the frame body 130 is approximately horizontal so as to contact the upper edge 121 of the cylindrical portion 120 of the storage rack body 110. Fig. 6 shows the state in which the frame body 130 has rotated around the frame body rotation axis of the lid open / close state control unit 140 and has rotated upward away from the upper edge 121 of the cylindrical portion 120 of the storage rack body 110.

[0053] When the movement changes from FIG. 5 to FIG. 6, the frame body 130 undergoes a rotational movement in which it transitions from an approximately horizontal state to an approximately vertical state, and when the movement changes from FIG. 6 to FIG. 5, the frame body 130 undergoes a rotational movement in which it transitions from an approximately vertical state to an approximately horizontal state. As described above, the storage rack body 110 has a structure including the cylindrical portion 120, the frame body 130, and the cover open / close state control unit 140, and the frame body 130 has a movable structure capable of rotational movement.

[0054] Next, a state in which the sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge is stored in the storage rack body 110 is shown. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the sample storage body with a lid bridge 200 is stored in each cylindrical portion 120 of the storage rack body 110. Fig. 7(a) is a perspective view of the storage rack body 110 and the stored sample storage body with a lid bridge 200, seen from above. The sample storage body with a lid bridge 200 is in a closed state. FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view of one column in FIG. 7(a) taken along line CC in the column direction.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 7(b), when the sample storage body with lid bridge 200 in a closed state with the lid body 210 closed is placed in the cylindrical portion 120 of the storage rack body 110, the long edge portion 213 of the flange portion abuts against the abutting edge portion 131 of the frame body 130, and the side surface of the tube body 220 abuts against the wall surface of the cylindrical portion 120, so that the sample storage body with lid bridge 200 is in an upright and locked state. Here, this state is called the "lid body closed and locked state". In other words, in the "lid body closed and locked state", the long edge portion 213 of the lid body 210 abuts against and is hooked on the abutting edge portion 131 of the frame body 130, and the side surface of the tube body 220 is supported along the wall surface of the cylindrical portion 120, so that the sample storage body with lid bridge 200 is in an upright and locked state.

[0056] The storage rack system 100 of the present invention can mechanically operate the lid 210 of the sample storage unit with lid bridge 200 in the lid closed and locked state to open it. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the state in which the sample storage body with lid bridge 200 in the lid closed and locked state is accessed and pressed down from above to open the lid 210. As shown in FIG. 8 illustrates a cross section taken along line DD in the row direction of one row of storage rack body 110. In the cross section taken along line DD, the lid body 210 would also have to be shown in cross section, but in order to show that lid body 210 is in an open state, lid body 210 is illustrated as a whole rather than in cross section. The means for pushing down from above may be mechanically accessed by the automatic uncapping and capping device 300 and mechanically pushing down the lid 210 to open it, or it may be pushed down from above with a finger to open it.

[0057] In the opening operation, the lid body 210 is pushed downward, and thereby the lid body 210 is removed from the opening 121 of the cylindrical portion 120, as shown in the change from FIG. 8(a) to FIG. 8(b). That is, when the lid body 210 is pressed down, the long edge 213 remains in contact with the abutment edge 131 of the frame body 130 and does not descend, but as shown in the change from Figure 8(a) to Figure 8(b), the lid bridge-equipped sample housing body 200 as a whole is pressed down into the cylindrical part 120 together with the tube body 220, sinking and descending. Note that since the tube body 220 moves along the wall surface within the cylindrical part 120, the lid bridge-equipped sample housing body 200 as a whole descends in a straight line.

[0058] As the lid body 210 is pressed down, the tube body 220 is pressed down into the cylindrical portion 120. When the distance of descent exceeds the height of the push plug structure 212 of the lid body 210, as shown in Figure 8(b), the push plug structure 212 detaches from the top opening 221 of the tube body 220, and the lid body 210 comes out of the top opening 221 of the tube body 220, resulting in an open state. The distance that the lid 210 moves down until it is released from the top opening 221 of the tube body 220 and enters the open state may be equal to the height of the push plug structure 212 .

[0059] Furthermore, there is an upper opening flange on the edge of the upper opening 221 of the tube body 220, and the diameter of the upper opening flange is larger than the diameter of the edge recess and smaller than the diameter of the upper end opening of the cylindrical portion, so that even if the tube body 220 descends downward, the upper opening flange engages with the opening edge of the cylindrical portion 120 of the storage rack body 110, resulting in an open lid-engaged state.

[0060] After the lid body 210 is detached from the tube body 220 , the depression actuator 320 may rise and move away from the lid body 210 . Fig. 9 shows a state in which the frame body 130 is rotated about the frame body rotation axis of the lid body open / closed state control unit 140 and rotated upward away from the upper surface edge 121 of the cylindrical portion 120 of the storage rack body 110, as shown in Fig. 6. Note that Fig. 9(b) shows a cross section of one row of the storage rack body 110 taken along line EE in the row direction. 9 is the rotational motion of the frame body 130 shown in FIG 6, and the frame body 130 transitions from a substantially horizontal state to a substantially vertical state. The lid body 210 that was in contact with the contact edge portion 131 is raised to a substantially vertical state in accordance with the movement of the frame body 130. In this state shown in FIG. 9, the top opening 221 of the tube body 220 of the sample storage body 200 with lid bridge is entirely open, making it easy to access the sample stored therein.

[0061] Next, the capping operation will be described. FIG. 10 is a simplified diagram of a lower support 150 for use during the capping operation. As shown in FIG. 10, the lower support 150 is a component of the storage rack body, and has a structure that can be combined with the lower surface of the storage rack body 110. A protrusion 151 is provided on the lower support 150 to support from below the bottom surface 223 of the sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge housed in the cylindrical portion 120 . This protruding body 151 is a structure that pushes up the bottom surface 223 of the sample storage body with lid bridge 200 when the storage rack body 110 and the lower support body 150 are combined. The protrusions 151 are erected in a matrix shape so as to correspond to the matrix-like arrangement of the cylindrical portions 120 of the storage rack body 110. That is, in this example, the protrusions 151 are also arranged in a matrix shape of 4 rows and 4 columns, corresponding to the matrix-like arrangement of 4 rows and 4 columns of the storage rack body 110 shown in Fig. 5.

[0062] The height L of the protruding body 151 is a size for adjusting the height of the lid bridge-equipped sample storage body 200 within the cylindrical portion 120 of the storage rack body 110. In other words, as shown in Fig. 11, it is the height for raising the lid bridge-equipped sample storage body 200 from the height position in the lid open-locked state to the height position in the lid closed-locked state. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the lid 210 is closed on the sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge in the lid open / locked state. Fig. 11(b) shows a cross section of one row of the storage rack body 110 taken along line FF in the row direction. For ease of explanation, in FIG. 11(a), it is assumed that only one row of the sample storage units 200 with lid bridges are stored in the storage rack unit 110 in an open state.

[0063] FIG. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE, showing a state in which the lid bridge-equipped sample storage body 200 is pushed upward by the protruding body 151 of the lower support body 150. 11(b), when the storage rack body 110 and the lower support body 150 are combined, the height L of the protrusion 151 is the height at which the upper surface of the protrusion 151 pushes upward the bottom surface 223 of the sample storage body 200 with lid bridge housed in the cylindrical portion 120 of the storage rack body 110. As a result, the height rises from a height position L0, which is lowered downward in the lid body open-locked state, to a height position L in the lid body closed-locked state.

[0064] Next, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the operation for closing the cap. FIG. 12(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF, showing a state in which the lid bridge-equipped sample storage body 200 is pushed upward by the protruding body 151 of the lower support body 150. As shown in Fig. 12(a), the lid body open / closed state control section 140 rotates the frame body 130 around the frame body rotation shaft 141 to reduce the inclination angle, and at the same time, the lid body 210 (particularly the long edge flange 213) is pressed down from above, so that the inclination angle of the lid body 210 also decreases. The lid body 210 is pushed into the upper opening 221 of the tube body 220, and eventually, as shown in Fig. 12(b), the lid body 210 fits into the upper opening 121 of the cylindrical section 120, and the lid body moves from the open lid body locking state to the closed lid body locking state, completing the opening operation.

[0065] In addition, in Figure 12 (b), the abutment edge portion 131 of the frame body 130 is not depicted due to the cross-sectional relationship, but the lid body 210 moves in a clamped state due to the force that presses down on the lid body 210 from above to control the inclination angle and the force that controls the inclination angle of the abutment edge portion 131 abutting against the long edge flange 213 by the lid body opening / closing state control unit 140, so the inclination angle of the lid body 210 can be changed stably. Example 2

[0066] As a second embodiment, an automatic capping / uncapping device 300 will be described. The automatic capping / uncapping device 300 is an automatic machine that automatically opens and closes the lid 210 of the sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge that is stored in the sample storage rack system 100. In other words, the automatic capping / uncapping device 300 mechanically accesses the sample storage rack system 100 and mechanically opens or automatically caps the lid body 210 of the sample storage body 200 with lid bridge stored in the storage rack body 110.

[0067] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a simple configuration of the automatic capping and closing device 300 and the capping operation. 13(b) shows a cross section taken along line GG in the row direction of one row of the storage rack body 110. FIG. 13(c) shows one sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge and the frame body 130. In Fig. 13(b), the storage rack body 110 is hatched in the cross section along line GG, but the automatic capping and uncapping device 300 is simply shown, not in the cross section along line GG. In other words, the items in front of the cross section along line GG are also shown, and are not hatched in the cross section along line GG. Also, the lower support lifting device 310 and the lower support 150 are not shown in Fig. 13(b) and Fig. 13(c).

[0068] As shown in FIG. 13, the automatic capping / uncapping device 300 includes a lower support lifting device 310, a lid pressing actuator 320, and a lid open / closed state control unit rotation mechanism 330. The lower support lifting device 310 is a device that lifts the lower support 150 located below the storage rack body 110 toward the storage rack body 110 to assemble it, and lowers it from the storage rack body 110 to remove it.

[0069] The cover pressing actuator 320 is located above the storage rack body 110, and is an actuator that moves toward and away from the top surface of the upper body 211 of the cover 210 so as to press down.

[0070] The lid open / close state control unit rotation mechanism 330 is a mechanism that rotates the lid open / close state control unit 140 to control the opening angle of the lid 210. In other words, the lid open / close state control unit rotation mechanism 330 is a mechanism that applies a rotational torque to the lid open / close state control unit 140, which controls the open / close state of the lid 210 by rotating the frame body 130 around the frame body rotation axis 141, thereby controlling the angle of the lid 210 via the long edge flange 213 abutting against the abutment edge portion 131 through the control of the rotation angle of the frame body 130.

[0071] The steps for opening the bottle are shown below. When opening the container, the lower support lifting device 310 moves so that the lower support 150 is lowered and removed from the storage rack body 110 as shown in FIG. 13(a) since the lower support 150 is not used. The movement of the lid pressing actuator 320 is to press down the lid 210 from above, as shown in Figures 13(b) and 13(c). As explained in the first embodiment with reference to Figures 7 and 8, it has been explained that the cap can be opened by pressing down the lid 210 from above, and the movement of the lid pressing actuator 320 is to press down the lid 210 from above. This results in an open state. After the lid body 210 is removed and in the open state, the lid body pressing actuator 320 works in cooperation with the lid body opening / closing state control unit rotation mechanism 330 to greatly increase the inclination angle of the lid body 210, widely opening the top opening 221 of the tube body 220. The movement of the lid open / close state control unit rotation mechanism 330 is to rotate the lid open / close state control unit 140 to increase the inclination angle of the frame body 130 in order to increase the opening angle of the lid body 210 opened by the movement of the lid pressing actuator 320. For example, it is set up vertically as shown in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment.

[0072] 13(c) simply illustrates the cooperation between the lid pressing actuator 320 and the lid open / close state control unit rotation mechanism 330. That is, the lid open / close state control unit 140 is rotated by the lid open / close state control unit rotation mechanism 330 to increase the tilt angle of the frame body 130, and the lid pressing actuator 320 moves upward. During this cooperation, the lid pressing actuator 320 may be in light contact with the upper surface body 211 of the lid 210, or it may rise without contacting and so as not to interfere with the upward movement of the lid 210.

[0073] Next, the operation for closing the cap will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a simple capping operation of the automatic capping and uncapping device 300. 14(b) shows a cross section taken along line HH in the row direction of one row of the storage rack body 110. FIG 14(c) shows one sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge and the frame body 130. 14(b), the storage rack body 110 is hatched in the cross section along line HH, but the automatic capping and uncapping device 300 is simply shown, rather than being shown in the cross section along line HH. In other words, the items in front of the cross section along line HH are also shown, and the cross section along line HH is not hatched.

[0074] As for the movement of the lower support lifting device 310, since the lower support 150 is used during capping, the lower support 150 is raised and assembled to the storage rack body 110. As shown in Fig. 14(a), the sample storage body 200 with lid bridge is pushed up, and although the lid body is still open, it rises to the same height as in the capping-locked state.

[0075] 14(b) and 14(c), the lid pressing actuator 320 and the lid open / closed state control unit rotation mechanism 330 work together to press down the lid 210 from above, reducing the inclination angle of the lid 210 and fitting the push plug structure 212 of the lid 210 into the top opening 221 of the tube body 220. Figure 14(b) simply illustrates the cooperation between the lid pressing actuator 320 and the lid open / closed state control unit rotation mechanism 330.

[0076] As simply shown in Figure 14(b), the frame body 130 rotates around the frame body rotation axis 141 via the lid body open / closed state control unit 140 by the lid body open / closed state control unit rotation mechanism 330, and the frame body 130 moves along the upper edge 121 of the cylindrical portion 120 of the storage rack body 110, and in the process, the lid body pressing actuator 320 inserts the push plug structure 212 of the lid body 210 into the upper opening 221 of the tube body 220.

[0077] 14(c) simply illustrates the cooperation between the lid pressing actuator 320 and the lid open / close state control unit rotation mechanism 330 when the cap is closed. That is, the lid open / close state control unit rotation mechanism 330 rotates the lid open / close state control unit 140 to reduce the tilt angle of the frame body 130, and the lid pressing actuator 320 moves downward. This cooperation causes the lid 210 to move in a clamped state due to the force pressing down the lid 210 from above to control the tilt angle, and the force of the lid open / close state control unit 140 to control the tilt angle of the abutment edge portion 131 abutting against the long edge flange 213, so that the tilt angle of the lid 210 can be stably changed. Example 3

[0078] As the third embodiment, a sample storage rack system 100A having a sample storage rack body 110A having a different configuration from that of the first embodiment will be described. 15 is a diagram showing a simple configuration of a sample storage rack body 110A different from that of Example 1. The sample storage body with a lid bridge 200 has not yet been attached. In addition, an enlarged view of one frame body 130 is also shown in order to make the shape easier to understand. FIG. 15(b) shows a cross section taken along line II of one cylindrical portion 120 and one frame body 130 of the storage rack body 110A.

[0079] In the sample storage rack body 110 of the first embodiment, the abutment edge portion 131 of the abutment frame 130 is a continuous body that covers one row as shown in FIG. 5, but in the sample storage rack body 110A of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, one independent frame body 130 corresponds to one cylindrical portion 120. In this example, there is an abutment edge body 131 of an arc-shaped wall body along the upper opening 121 of the cylindrical portion 120, two claw shapes that become a recess that receives the bridge portion 230 of the sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge, and an upright shape that becomes a recess that receives the curved end of the bridge portion 230. The recessed space formed by these two claw shapes and the upright shape is the recessed space for the bridge portion 230 of the edge recess 132. Note that the abutment edge body 131 is higher than the upper end surface of the cylindrical portion 120, so the space between the abutment edge body 131 and the upper end surface of the cylindrical portion 120 is a recessed space for the part other than the flange long edge portion 213.

[0080] 16 is a diagram showing the state in which the sample storage body with a lid bridge 200 is attached to the sample storage rack body 110A. In order to make it easier to understand the attachment state, an enlarged view of the sample storage body with a lid bridge 200 attached to one cylindrical body 120 is also shown. FIG. 16(b) shows a cross section taken along line JJ of one cylindrical portion 120 and one frame body 130 of the storage rack body 110A and the stored sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge. As shown in FIG. 16, the long edge flange 213 of the lid bridge-equipped sample housing 200 abuts against and is locked on the abutment edge portion 131, and the lid bridge-equipped sample housing 200 is supported in an upright position within the cylindrical portion 120.

[0081] 17 is a diagram showing a state in which the lid 210 of the sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge attached to the sample storage rack body 110A is pushed down from above to open the lid 210. Note that, in order to make the opening operation easier to understand, an enlarged view of the lid 210 of the attached sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge is also shown. FIG. 17(b) shows a cross section taken along line JJ of one cylindrical portion 120 and one frame body 130 of the storage rack body 110A and the stored sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge.

[0082] 17, when the lid body 210 is pressed down from above, the sample storage body with lid bridge 200 moves downward inside the cylindrical portion 120, but the long edge flange 213 of the lid body 210 cannot move downward because it is in contact with the contact edge portion 131. In other words, the lid body 210 becomes slanted and maintains its height, while the tube body 220 moves downward inside the cylindrical portion 120 of the storage rack body 110A, and as a result, the lid body 210 comes out of the upper opening 221 of the tube body 220 and is opened. This cap opening operation may be performed by an operator manually pressing the cap with his / her finger, or may be performed mechanically by an automatic cap pressing actuator 320 as shown in the second embodiment.

[0083] 18 is a diagram showing a state in which the lid body 210 of the opened sample housing with a lid bridge 200 is raised upward to completely open the upper opening 221. In order to make it easier to understand the opened state, an enlarged view of the lid body 210 of the attached sample housing with a lid bridge 200 is also shown. FIG. 18(b) shows a cross section taken along line KK of one cylindrical portion 120 and one frame body 130 of the storage rack body 110A and the stored sample storage body 200 with a lid bridge.

[0084] 18, the lid 210 in the open state is further lifted and pushed backward until the bridge portion 230 is sandwiched between the two claws of the edge recess 132, and the bridge portion 230 is clamped and fixed between the two claws of the edge recess 132. This makes it possible to conveniently maintain the lid 210 in the open state while accessing the inside of the sample storage body with lid bridge 200.

[0085] Next, the capping operation will be described. 19 is a diagram showing a procedure for pressing down the lid body 210 of the sample storage body with a lid bridge 200 in an open state from above to close the lid body 210. In order to make the closing operation easier to understand, the movements of one cylindrical portion 120 and one frame body 130 of the storage rack body 110A and the sample storage body with a lid bridge 200 are shown in a cross-sectional view.

[0086] 19(a) to 19(b), prior to capping, the sample storage body with lid bridge 200 that had fallen into the cylindrical portion 120 of the storage rack body 110A is raised as in Example 1. The height to which it is raised is until the upper surface opening 221 of the sample storage body with lid bridge 200 reaches the upper end of the abutting edge body 131 of the storage rack body 110A. During this operation, the bridge portion 230 that had fallen into the edge recess 132 is also raised.

[0087] 19(c), the lid 210 is pushed into the top opening 221 of the lid bridge-equipped sample storage body 200. This operation of closing the lid 210 may be performed manually by an operator, or may be performed mechanically by the lid open / close state control unit rotation mechanism 330 of an automatic machine as shown in the second embodiment. When the lid body 210 is fitted into the top opening 221 of the lid bridge-equipped sample storage body 200, it is placed in a horizontal position. This position is the same as the cross-sectional view shown in FIG.

[0088] The above steps complete the capping operation. In the storage rack body 110A of this embodiment 3, the opening and closing operations may be performed manually by an operator, or the opening and closing operations may be automated using the automatic opening and closing device 300 shown in embodiment 2.

[0089] Although the preferred embodiment of the sample storage body of the present invention has been illustrated and described above, various modifications are possible without departing from the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0090] The sample storage rack system of the present invention can be widely applied as long as it is a sample storage rack system that stores and manages sample storage bodies for the purpose of storing and managing samples. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 100 Sample Storage Rack System 110 Storage rack body 120 Cylindrical part 121 Top opening 122 Side 130 Frame body 131 Contact edge part 132 Edge recess 140 Lid body open / close state control unit 141 Frame body rotation axis 150 Lower support 151 Projection body 200 Sample container with lid and bridge 210 Lid 211 Upper body 212 Push-button structure 213 Long-rimmed tsuba 214 Outer edge 215 Writing Area 220 Tube body 221 Top opening 222 Inner cylinder 222 223 Bottom 224 Writing area 230 Bridge Section 240 Information Printing Code 300 Automatic opening and closing device 310 Lower support lifting device 320 Lid pressing actuator 330 Lid body open / close state control unit Rotation mechanism

Claims

1. a tube body for storing a sample; a plug-type lid for sealing an upper opening of the tube body; and a sample storage body with a plurality of lid bridges, the sample storage body including a bridge for connecting the tube body and the lid; A sample storage rack system in which a storage rack body is combined with a cylindrical portion having a diameter and depth for storing the sample storage body with a lid bridge, the cylindrical portion being formed in a matrix of rows and columns, A flange portion is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the lid body, and a part of the flange portion is provided with a long edge flange that is long in the outer peripheral direction, a frame body provided on an upper portion of the cylindrical portion of the storage rack body, the frame body having an abutment edge portion with which only the long edge flange of the flange portion of the lid body abuts, and an edge recessed portion which serves as a recessed space in which the portion of the flange portion other than the long edge flange and the bridge body can move downward; When the sample storage body with the lid bridge in a closed state is placed in the cylindrical portion of the storage rack body, the long edge flange comes into contact with the abutment edge portion, and the sample storage body with the lid bridge is brought into an upright and locked state, This sample storage rack system is characterized in that, when the lid is pressed down from above in the lid closed and locked state, the long edge flange remains in contact with the abutment edge portion, while the lid other than the long edge flange sinks into the recess space of the edge recess, and the tube body moves downward within the cylindrical portion, allowing the lid to be detached from the tube body and opened.

2. a frame body rotation axis is provided on the upper surface of the storage rack body, the frame body being a base point for raising the frame body from a substantially horizontal state to a substantially vertical state; The sample storage rack system of claim 1, characterized in that when the frame body is raised around the frame body rotation axis, the lid body in an open state abutting the abutment edge portion rotates in accordance with the rotation of the frame body, thereby allowing the opening angle of the lid body to be controlled.

3. In the arrangement of the cylindrical portions formed in a matrix of rows and columns of the storage rack body, the frame body is provided along the rows or columns of the storage rack body, The sample container with a lid bridge is stored in the cylindrical portion in a state in which the long edge flange abuts against the frame body, The sample storage rack system of claim 2, characterized in that the opening angle of the lid of the sample storage body with lid bridge housed in the cylindrical portion of the corresponding row or column is controlled by rotating the frame body.

4. The bottom of the cylindrical portion of the storage rack body is open, A top opening flange is provided on an edge of the top opening of the tube body, a diameter of the upper surface opening flange is larger than a diameter of the edge recess and smaller than a diameter of the upper end opening of the cylindrical portion; The sample storage rack system of claim 3, characterized in that when the lid is pressed from above and the tube body moves downward within the cylindrical portion, the lid is in an open state and the sample storage body with lid bridge is engaged with the cylindrical portion of the storage rack body by the top opening flange, resulting in a lid open and engaged state.

5. a lower support body, which is assembled to the bottom of the cylindrical portion as a component of the storage rack body, and on which a protrusion body is erected to support from below the bottom surface of the lid bridge-equipped sample storage body stored in the cylindrical portion; The protrusions are erected on the lower support so as to correspond to the matrix-like arrangement of the cylindrical portions of the storage rack body, The sample storage rack system of claim 4, characterized in that the height of the protrusion is such that, when the storage rack body and the lower support are combined, the protrusion pushes upward the bottom surface of the sample storage body with lid bridge, raising the sample storage body with lid bridge from a height position in the lid open and locked state to a height position in the lid closed and locked state.

6. When the lid is opened, the lower support is not used when switching the lid bridge-equipped sample storage body from the lid closed-locked state to the lid open-locked state, The sample storage rack system of claim 5, wherein the lower support is used when switching the sample storage body with lid bridge from the lid open-locked state to the lid closed-locked state when the lid is closed.

7. The tube body, the lid and the bridge are integrally formed, one part of which is made of a light-transmitting material and the other part of which is made of an opaque material on which information can be printed; 2. The sample storage rack system of claim 1, wherein at least an upper surface of the lid and a bottom surface of the tube body are provided with a writing area made of opaque material, and information can be written on at least both the upper surface of the lid and the bottom surface of the tube body.

8. The lid has a flat top surface and a ribbed bottom surface that fits into the top opening of the tube body, 8. The sample storage rack system according to claim 7, wherein two-dimensional code information is printed on an upper surface of the lid.

9. 8. The sample storage rack system according to claim 7, wherein two-dimensional code information is printed on the bottom surface of the tube body.

10. 8. The sample storage rack system according to claim 7, wherein one-dimensional code information is printed on a side surface of the tube body.

11. 11. An automatic capping and closure device for performing the capping and closure operations of the sample storage rack system according to claim 1, The lower support lifting device lifts and lowers the lower support, a lid pressing actuator, and a lid open / close state control unit rotation mechanism; During the cap-removal operation, the lower support is lowered from the storage rack body by the lower support lifting device to be in a removed state, the lid body is pressed downward by the push-down actuator to remove the lid body from the tube body and transition from the lid body closed-capped locked state to the lid body open-capped locked state, and the lid body open-capped state control unit rotation mechanism rotates the lid body open-capped state control unit to control the open angle of the lid body, thereby automating the cap-removal operation. During the capping operation, the lower support is raised to the storage rack body by the lower support lifting device and assembled, the sample storage body with lid bridge is placed in the lid open and locked state, the lid is pressed downward by the push-down actuator while rotating the lid open and locked state control unit by the lid opening and closing state control unit rotation mechanism, thereby controlling the open angle of the lid, the lid is fitted into the opening of the cylindrical portion, and the lid is transitioned from the lid open and locked state to the lid closed and locked state, thereby automating the capping operation.

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