Sample collection system

Abstract

To reduce the burden on a user when collecting a sample being a high-viscosity fluid on the basis of a target amount.SOLUTION: A sample collection system (1) comprises: a holder (400) which has a plurality of holding sections (40); a sample placement device (20) configured to repeatedly perform a placement operation of placing a collection unit amount of a sample to the holding section (40) that does not hold the sample among the plurality of holding sections (40); a measuring device (10); and a control device (100). The control device (100) selects, from among combinations of samples held in each of two or more holding sections (40) of the plurality of holding sections (40), a combination that satisfies a selection criterion corresponding to the target amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sample collection system for collecting a sample that is a high-viscosity fluid.

Background Art

[0002] In the pretreatment for analyzing various samples, a step of mechanically diluting the sample with water, an organic solvent, or the like to generate a sample solution having a specified dilution concentration is required. For this reason, conventionally, various techniques for more accurately obtaining a specified amount of sample required for generating a sample solution are known.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 6814812 (Patent Document 1) describes a measuring device that immerses an adhesive in a sample in a sample container, and when the weight of the sample attached to the adhesive is the target amount, moves the adhesive to a dilution container, and when the weight of the sample attached to the adhesive is not the target amount, repeats an operation of immersing a new adhesive in the sample in the sample container and an operation of measuring the weight of the sample attached to the adhesive until an adhesive with the target amount of sample attached is obtained. The measuring device described in Patent Document 1 is configured to return droplets (i.e., excess sample) formed on the weighing tool to the sample container by waiting the weighing tool pulled up from the sample container upward for a certain period.

[0004] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-59425 (Patent Document 2) describes a vibrating spoon including a vibrating unit that drops a powder sample onto a balance by putting the powder sample therein and vibrating it, and a display unit that displays a weight measurement value from the balance.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] When the object to be sampled is a liquid sample, as described in Patent Document 1, by waiting the metering tool lifted from the sample container upward for a certain period of time, the surplus sample can be returned to the sample container. Therefore, when the object to be sampled is a liquid sample, the amount of the sample to be adhered to the adhesive can be controlled relatively easily. Even when the object to be sampled is a powder sample described in Patent Document 2, it is also easy to control the amount of the sample in the same manner.

[0007] However, when the object to be sampled is a highly viscous fluid such as grease, since the sample adheres to the sampling member, it takes time for the sample to fall from the sampling member by its own weight. Or, when the viscosity is too high, the sample may not fall. Therefore, with the conventional methods described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it is difficult to control the sampling unit amount of the sample which is a highly viscous fluid, and even if it can be controlled, it takes time to control the sampling unit amount of the sample. For this reason, with the conventional methods, when the object to be sampled is a highly viscous fluid, it has been difficult to efficiently sample the target amount of the sample.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to reduce the burden on the user when sampling a sample which is a highly viscous fluid based on a target amount.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The sample sampling system of the present disclosure is a sample sampling system for sampling a sample which is a highly viscous fluid, and includes a holder having a plurality of holding parts configured to hold the sample, a sample placement device configured to repeat a placement operation of placing a sample having a sampling unit amount less than the target amount into a holding part in which the sample is not held among the plurality of holding parts, a measuring device for measuring the amount of the sample held in each of the plurality of holding parts, and a control device. The control device selects a combination that satisfies a selection criterion corresponding to the target amount from among combinations of samples held in each of two or more of the plurality of holding parts.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user when collecting a sample, which is a high-viscosity fluid, based on a target amount.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments will be described, but it has been planned from the beginning of the application to appropriately combine the configurations described in each embodiment. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0013] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a sample collection system 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sample collection system 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sample collection system 1 includes a measurement device 10, a transfer device 20, an input device 50, a display device 60, a control device 100, and a holder 400.

[0014] The sample container 91 contains a sample that is a high-viscosity fluid. The high-viscosity fluid is typically cosmetics, drugs, foods, and greases, etc. The sample container 91 is placed on the measurement device 10.

[0015] A number of spatulas 70 without sample adhesion are arranged in the folder 90. A recess 71 for holding the sample is formed in the spatula 70. The spatula 70 is an example of a sampling member for collecting the sample.

[0016] The transfer device 20 is attached to the slider mechanism 22 so as to be movable in the positive and negative directions of the X-axis shown in FIG. 1. The transfer device 20 includes a gripper 21. The gripper 21 has a pair of arms for sandwiching and holding the spatula 70. The gripper 21 is configured to be movable in the positive and negative directions of the Z-axis shown in FIG. 1. After collecting the sample in the sample container with the spatula 70, the transfer device 20 transfers the spatula 70 with the adhered sample to the holder 400. The transfer device 20 is an example of a sample placement device.

[0017] A plurality of holding parts 40 are formed in the holder 400. The sample is held in a state of being adhered to the spatula 70 in the holding part 40. Each of the plurality of holding parts 40 is assigned a number from (1) to (n). Hereinafter, the holding part 40 corresponding to the number (1) may be referred to as "holding part 401" or "holding part (1)", the holding part 40 corresponding to the number (2) may be referred to as "holding part 402" or "holding part (2)", and the holding part 40 corresponding to the number (3) may be referred to as "holding part 403" or "holding part (3)".

[0018] In the same manner, hereinafter, the holding part 40 corresponding to the number (n) may be referred to as "holding part 40n" or "holding part (n)".

[0019] When viewed in plan from the positive direction of the Z-axis shown in FIG. 1, the holding part 40 is constituted by a depression formed on the upper surface of the holder 400. The holding part 40 has a size sufficient to hold the spatula 70 laid horizontally. In FIG. 1, a spatula 70 standing up by the holding part 40 is depicted, but actually, the spatula 70 is held horizontally by the holding part 40.

[0020] The transfer device 20 puts a sample selected from among the samples held by each of the plurality of holding parts 40 into the dilution container 92 together with the spatula 70. A solvent is supplied to the dilution container 92 by a solvent supply device (not shown) or the like. The solvent is typically a solvent such as water and methanol. Thereby, a diluted sample solution of the sample is generated. Note that the transfer device 20 may put the spatula 70 holding the sample into a container different from the dilution container 92.

[0021] The control device 100 is typically a computer (for example, a personal computer). As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 100 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, and an input / output interface 103.

[0022] The processor 101 is typically an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The processor 101 controls the transfer device 20 and the display device 60 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 102.

[0023] The memory 102 is realized by a storage device such as, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The ROM stores a program executed by the processor 101. The RAM temporarily stores data used during the execution of the program in the processor 101 and functions as a temporary data memory used as a working area. The HDD is a non-volatile storage device. In addition to or instead of the HDD, a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory may be employed. Note that the above program and / or data may be stored in an external storage device accessible by the processor 101.

[0024] The input / output interface 103 realizes communication between the processor 101 and an external device. The external device includes a measuring device 10, a transfer device 20, an input device 50, and a display device 60.

[0025] The user inputs an instruction to the control device 100 using the input device 50. The input device 50 is typically a mouse, a keyboard, etc. The control device 100 starts a process of collecting a sample based on the user's instruction. The user's instruction includes the target amount of the sample to be collected, etc. The control device 100 displays the status of the process, etc. on the display device 60.

[0026] The measuring device 10 measures the weight of the sample container 91 containing the sample and outputs the measured value to the control device 100. The control device 100 controls the operation of the transfer device 20.

[0027] Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining a process of generating a sample of a target amount by collecting a small amount of samples and combining the collected samples. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the process by which the sample collection system 1 obtains a sample of a target amount will be described.

[0028] The control device 100 acquires the target amount MO of the sample to be collected from the user. Based on the target amount MO, the control device 100 determines the sampling unit amount of the ladle 70. The sampling unit amount of the ladle 70 is an amount less than the target amount MO. The sampling unit amount of the ladle 70 may be, for example, 1 / 10 of the target amount MO or 1 / 20 of the target amount MO. The control device 100 controls the transfer device 20 so that a sample is collected with the ladle 70 according to the determined sampling unit amount.

[0029] Here, the maximum value of the denominator such as "1 / 10" and "1 / 20" is, for example, the number of ladles 70 provided in the sample collection system 1. Such a denominator value can be determined from various viewpoints. For example, when the target amount MO is small, the denominator value may be made small, and when the target amount MO is large, the denominator value may be made large. The sample collection system 1 may accept a user operation for selecting the denominator value. In this case, the user may make the denominator value small when prioritizing processing time, and may make the denominator value large when prioritizing accuracy.

[0030] The transfer device 20 moves above the folder 90 and grips the ladle 70 from the folder 90 with the gripper 21. Then, the transfer device 20 transfers the ladle 70 to the sample container 91. The transfer device 20 immerses the ladle 70 in the sample accommodated in the sample container 91. At this time, the transfer device 20 adjusts the depth at which the ladle 70 is immersed in the sample according to the sampling unit amount determined by the control device 100. After immersing the ladle 70 in the sample, the transfer device 20 pulls up the ladle 70. The transfer device 20 transfers the ladle 70 holding the sample to the holder 400.

[0031] As a result, a sample of the high-viscosity fluid adheres to the recess 71. Since the sample is a high-viscosity fluid, the amount of the adhered sample may not exactly match the sampling unit amount determined by the control device 100. Therefore, it is assumed that the amount of the sample collected by the ladle 70 varies each time the sample is collected.

[0032] The transfer device 20 places the ladle 70 holding the sample in the holding part 40. Thereby, in the holding part 40, the sample is held together with the ladle 70.

[0033] The transfer device 20 repeats the operation of collecting the sample with the ladle 70 and the operation of transferring the ladle 70 with the collected sample to the holding part 40. At this time, the transfer device 20 transfers the ladle 70 with the collected sample to the holding parts 401 to 40n in order according to the order of the numbers attached to the holding part 40. Thereby, a ladle 70 filled with the sample is transferred to each of the plurality of holding parts 40 in the recess 71. In this way, the transfer device 20 is configured to repeat the placement operation of placing a sample in a sampling unit amount less than the target amount in the holding part 40 in which no sample is held among the plurality of holding parts 40.

[0034] It is desirable that the number of the holding parts 40 is sufficiently large so that a sample of the target amount MO is created by the combination of the samples held in each of two or more of the plurality of holding parts 40.

[0035] Before the sample is collected by the ladle 70 and after the sample is collected by the ladle 70, the measured value of the measuring device 10 fluctuates. The control device 100 calculates the weight of the sample collected by the ladle 70 based on the amount of change in the measured value and stores the calculated weight.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows an example in which samples with weights w1 to w10 are held together with the ladle 70 in the holding parts 401 to 410, respectively. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the holding parts 401 to 410 are formed in the holder 400.

[0037] The control device 100 selects a combination of samples that can achieve the target amount MO of the samples among the samples held in each of the plurality of holding units 40. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the samples held in each of the holding units 402, 407, 408, and 410 are selected as such a combination (w2 + w7 + w8 + w10 = target amount MO). The control device 100 displays on the display device 60 that a combination satisfying the selection criteria has been found. Thereby, the user can grasp that the sample of the target amount can be acquired. Note that the control device 100 may display the selected combination on the display device 60.

[0038] The transfer device 20 transfers a combination of samples that can achieve the target amount of the sample to the dilution container 92. At this time, the transfer device 20 grabs the spoon 70 itself that holds the sample with the gripper 21 and throws it into the dilution container 92. Thereby, the user can acquire the sample corresponding to the target amount.

[0039] Note that instead of throwing the spoon 70 itself into the dilution container 92, the sample may be separated from the spoon 70 above the dilution container 92, and only the sample may be stored in the dilution container 92. In this case, ultrasonic vibration may be applied to the spoon held by the arm of the gripper 21 to separate the sample, which is a high-viscosity fluid, from the spoon 70.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing table data stored in the memory 102 of the control device 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 100 stores in the memory 102 the target amount MO, the sampling unit amount MM, and the weights w1 to wn of the samples held in each of the holding units (1) to (n).

[0041] The sampling unit quantity MM is the target quantity of the sample to be collected by one ladle 70. Ideally, each of the determined sampling unit quantity MM and the weights w1 to wn should match. However, since the sample is a high-viscosity fluid, variations occur in the weights w1 to wn. The control device 100 creates a target quantity MO by combining two or more weights from among the weights w1 to wn. The sampling unit quantity MM is determined by various methods. The control device 100 may determine the sampling unit quantity MM for each of the holding units (1) to (n), or may determine a common sampling unit quantity MM for each of the holding units (1) to (n).

[0042] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the process executed by the sample collection system 1. Hereinafter, the procedure of the process of the sample collection system 1 will be described with reference to Figure 5.

[0043] First, the control device 100 receives an input of the target quantity MO from the user (step S1). Next, the control device 100 stores the target quantity MO in the memory 102 (step S2). Next, the control device 100 sets the sampling unit quantity MM of the ladle 70 based on the target quantity MO (step S3).

[0044] Next, the control device 100 sets the holding unit 40 to be the target for placing the sample from among the plurality of holding units 40 (step S4). For example, the control device 100 sets the holding unit 40 to be the target for placing the sample so that the ladles 70 from which the samples have been collected are sequentially transferred to the holding units 401 to 40n in the order of the numbers assigned to the holding units 40.

[0045] Next, the transfer device 20 collects a sample of the sampling unit quantity with the ladle 70 and transfers the ladle 70 to the corresponding holding unit 40 (step S5). Next, the control device 100 calculates the weight w of the collected sample based on the change in the weight of the sample container 91 (step S6).

[0046] Next, the control device 100 stores the weight w separately for each holding unit 40 (401 to 40n) in the memory 102 (step S7). Next, the control device 100 determines whether it is possible for the samples present in the holding unit 40 to satisfy the selection criteria corresponding to the target value MO (step S8).

[0047] Normally, with only the sample collected for the first time, it is not possible to create a sample that satisfies the selection criteria corresponding to the target value MO. However, as the number of sample collections increases to 2, 3, …, there may be cases where a sample that satisfies the selection criteria corresponding to the target value MO can be generated by combining the samples held in the plurality of holding units 40. If it is not possible for the samples present in the holding unit 40 to satisfy the selection criteria corresponding to the target value MO, the control device 100 returns the process to step S4.

[0048] On the other hand, if it is possible for the samples present in the holding unit 40 to satisfy the selection criteria corresponding to the target value MO, the control device 100 selects a combination that satisfies the selection criteria corresponding to the target amount MO from among the combinations of the samples held in each of two or more of the plurality of holding units 40 (step S9).

[0049] Here, the selection criteria is, for example, that the "combined weight of the samples" matches the "target amount MO". However, as the selection criteria, it may be adopted that the difference between the "combined weight of the samples" and the "target amount MO" does not exceed a threshold value. In this case, the control device 100 may receive an input from the user for setting the threshold value.

[0050] Next, the control device 100 displays the selection result on the display device 60 (step S10). The user checks that the sample of the target amount is obtained by looking at the screen of the display device 60. If the user desires to obtain the sample, the user performs an approval operation using the input device 50. The control device 100 receives the approval from the user (step S11). Next, the transfer device 20 transfers the sample corresponding to the selection result to the dilution container 92 (step S12). Thereby, the process based on this flowchart is terminated.

[0051] Note that the control device 100 may omit the processes of step S10 and step S11. In this case, after transferring the sample to the dilution container 92 in step S12, the control device 100 may display on the display device 60 that the target amount of the sample has been created. Further, after arranging the samples in all the holding parts 40, the control device 100 may select a combination of samples that satisfies the selection criteria corresponding to the target value MO.

[0052] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the user can easily obtain a sample of a target amount using the sample collection system 1. The sample collection system 1 is particularly effective when targeting samples that are difficult to collect in a fixed amount, such as highly viscous fluids. Highly viscous fluids strongly adhere to sampling members such as spoons, so it takes time for the sample to fall by its own weight. Alternatively, if the viscosity is too high, the sample may not fall. Therefore, when transferring a highly viscous fluid from the sampling member to a container such as a dish placed on a scale, an operation of rubbing the sampling member against the container is required. If it is necessary to transfer an accurate amount of sample to the container, the operation of rubbing the sampling member against the container needs to be repeated. If an excessive amount of sample is transferred to the container by that operation, an operation of returning the sample from the container to the sampling member is required.

[0053] Therefore, conventionally, it has taken time and effort to obtain a sample as per the target amount. According to the first embodiment, the burden on the user when collecting a sample that is a highly viscous fluid based on the target amount can be reduced. Note that the sample collection system 1 according to the first embodiment may be adopted as part of the function of a pretreatment system (pretreatment device).

[0054] In Embodiment 1, the measuring device 10 is configured to have the sample container 91 placed thereon. However, alternatively, a measuring device may be provided on the gripper 21. In this case, the control device 100 may calculate the weight of the sample collected by the ladle 70 based on the difference between the measured value obtained from the gripper 21 before the sample is collected by the ladle 70 and the measured value obtained from the gripper 21 after the sample is collected by the ladle 70.

[0055] Alternatively, a measuring device 10 may be provided on the holder 400. In this case, the control device 100 stores in advance the weight of the ladle 70 when no sample is held. The control device 100 calculates the weight difference between before the sample is held in the holding part (a) among the plurality of holding parts (1) to (n) and after the sample is held in the holding part (a), and subtracts the weight of the ladle 70 from the calculation result, thereby calculating the weight of the sample held in the holding part (a). In short, the measuring device 10 may be configured to measure the weight necessary for calculating the weight of the sample held in each of the plurality of holding parts 40.

[0056] As described above, the transfer device 20 adjusts the depth at which the ladle 70 is immersed in the sample contained in the sample container 91 according to the sampling unit amount determined by the control device 100. However, ladles 70 of various sizes may be prepared, and the transfer device 20 may determine the type of ladle 70 to be used according to the determined sampling unit amount. By configuring in this way, the transfer device 20 does not need to adjust the depth at which the ladle 70 is immersed in the sample.

[0057] The transfer device 20 moves above the folder 90 and grips the ladle 70 from the folder 90 with the gripper 21. Thereafter, the transfer device 20 transfers the ladle 70 to the sample container 91. The transfer device 20 immerses the ladle 70 in the sample contained in the sample container 91. At this time, the transfer device 20 adjusts the depth at which the ladle 70 is immersed in the sample according to the sampling unit amount determined by the control device 100. After immersing the ladle 70 in the sample, the transfer device 20 pulls up the ladle 70. The transfer device 20 transfers the ladle 70 holding the sample to the holder 400.

[0058] <Modification Example> Next, a modification example will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the process related to the modification example. Here, an example will be described in which the sampling unit amount of the ladle 70 is changed every time a sample is taken by the ladle 70.

[0059] In the modification example, in the same manner as the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, every time a sample is held in the holding unit 40, the control device 100 determines whether or not a target weight can be created with the combination of the samples held by the holder 400. When the control device 100 cannot create a target weight with the combination of the samples held by the holder 400, the control device 100 changes the sampling unit amount and repeats sampling the sample with the ladle 70.

[0060] Hereinafter, the modification example will be described based on the flowchart. However, in the description of the flowchart, "ladle Sn" means the ladle 70 sequentially acquired from the folder 90 by the transfer device 20. For example, "ladle S1" means the ladle 70 acquired first by the transfer device 20, and "ladle S2" means the ladle 70 acquired second by the transfer device 20. Further, "sampling unit amount Mn" means the sampling unit amount corresponding to "ladle Sn". For example, "sampling unit amount M1" means the sampling unit amount to be sampled by "ladle S1", and "sampling unit amount M2" means the sampling unit amount to be sampled by "ladle S2".

[0061] First, the control device 100 receives an input of the target amount MO (step S101). Next, the control device 100 stores the target amount MO in the memory 102 (step S102). Next, the control device 100 sets "n" to "1" (step S103).

[0062] Next, the control device 100 determines the sampling unit amount Μn (step S104). As a result, in step S104, the sampling unit amount M1 is determined. For example, the control device 100 may set any of the divisors of the target amount MO to Μ1.

[0063] Next, the transfer device 20 collects a sample of the sampling unit amount Μn with the ladle Sn and transfers it to the holding unit (n) (step S105). Next, the control device 100 stores the weight Wn of the sample collected with the ladle Sn in the memory 102 in association with the holding unit (n) (step S106).

[0064] Next, the control device 100 determines whether it is possible to create the target amount MO based on the weights W1 to Wn (step S107). If the control device 100 cannot create the target amount MO based on the weights W1 to Wn, it calculates the total weight Zn of the samples held in the holding units (1) to (n) (step S108).

[0065] Next, the control device 100 calculates "X" based on the arithmetic expression "X = M1+(M1×n - Zn)" in order to change the sampling unit amount. Here, M1 is the initially set sampling unit amount. "Zn" is the actual total weight of the samples held in the plurality of holding units 40 at the current stage. "M1×n" is the virtual total weight of the samples held in the plurality of holding units 40 at the current stage when it is assumed that the samples are accurately collected n times with the initially set sampling unit amount.

[0066] Therefore, "M1×n - Zn" is the difference between the "virtual total weight" and the "actual total weight". When the difference is zero, since the sampling operation matching M1 is being executed, there is no need to change the sampling unit amount. That is, in this case, "X = M1" is calculated.

[0067] On the other hand, when the difference is not zero, based on the above arithmetic expression, "X" is calculated as a value greater than M1 or a value less than M1. More specifically, when the "actual total weight" exceeds the "virtual total weight", in order to reduce the sampling unit amount, "X" is calculated as a value less than M1. When the "actual total weight" is less than the "virtual total weight", in order to increase the sampling unit amount, "X" is calculated as a value greater than M1. That is, the control device 100 changes the sampling unit amount so that the difference between the total amount of the samples held in each of the two or more holding units 40 and the total amount of the samples calculated based on the sampling unit amount becomes smaller.

[0068] Next, the control device 100 updates n to n + 1 (step S110). Next, the control device 100 changes the sampling unit amount Mn to X (step S111). Thereby, the sampling unit amount Mn is optimally corrected. Thereafter, the control device 100 returns the process to step S105.

[0069] When the control device 100 determines in step S107 that the target amount MO can be created with the weights W1 to Wn, the control device 100 executes the processes of step S9 to step S12 (step S112). Since the processes of step S9 to step S12 have been described with reference to FIG. 5, the description thereof will not be repeated here. After the processes of step S9 to step S12, the process based on this flowchart ends.

[0070] As described above, in the modification, when there is no combination that satisfies the selection criterion among the combinations of the samples held in each of the two or more holding units 40, the control device 100 changes the sampling unit amount. In this case, the transfer device 20 executes an operation of arranging the sample to the holding unit 40 according to the changed sampling unit amount.

[0071] According to the modification described above, the sampling unit amount is corrected based on the total amount of the collected samples and the total amount of the samples calculated based on the sampling unit amount M1. According to Modification 1, it is possible to more reliably create a combination of samples that satisfies the selection criterion corresponding to the target amount MO.

[0072] Embodiment 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the sample collection system 1A according to Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 1, an example using the ladle 70 as a collection member was described. In Embodiment 2, an example using the nozzle 24 instead of the ladle 70 will be described.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 7, the sample collection system 1A includes a transfer device 20A instead of the transfer device 20. The transfer device 20A has a suction device 23. A nozzle 24 is attached to the suction device 23. The suction device 23 sucks the sample contained in the sample container 91 from the tip of the nozzle 24 by applying a negative pressure to the nozzle 24. As a result, the nozzle 24 is filled with the sample. Here, it is assumed that the amount of the sample filled in the nozzle 24 is larger than the amount of the sample that can be held in the recess 71 of the ladle 70. The nozzle 24 is an example of a collection member for collecting a sample.

[0074] The sample collection system 1A includes an ultrasonic cutter 80. The ultrasonic cutter 80 is freely movable in the positive and negative directions of the X-axis by a moving mechanism (not shown). The ultrasonic cutter 80 has a knife 81 for cutting the sample and an ultrasonic oscillator 82 for applying ultrasonic vibration to the knife 81. The ultrasonic cutter 80 is an example of a cutting device for cutting the sample. The knife 81 is an example of a cutting member.

[0075] In the sample collection system 1, the sample container 91 is placed on the measuring device 10. In the sample collection system 1A, the sample container 91 is placed on a table or the like. Further, in the sample collection system 1A, instead of the holder 400, a holder 400A is adopted. The holder 400A has a measuring device 10 for measuring the samples held by the plurality of holding portions 40.

[0076] The sample collection system 1A has the same configuration as the sample collection system 1 except that it includes the transfer device 20A, the ultrasonic cutter 80, and the holder 400A.

[0077] After the transfer device 20A fills the nozzle 24 with the sample, it moves from the sample container 91 to the holder 400A and positions the nozzle 24 above the holding part 40. The control device 100 notifies the transfer device 20A of the sampling unit amount. The transfer device 20A controls the suction device 23 so that the sample of the sampling unit amount is discharged from the tip of the nozzle 24. Thereby, the sample, which is a high-viscosity fluid, drips from the tip of the nozzle 24.

[0078] The control device 100 drives the ultrasonic cutter 80 to cut off the sample. The knife 81 that vibrates ultrasonically cuts the sample while expanding and contracting at high speed. Therefore, when cutting the sample, it is possible to prevent a part of the sample from adhering to the knife 81. Thereby, a certain amount of the sample can be cut off more accurately.

[0079] The cut-off sample is held by the holding part 40 located below the nozzle 24. A plate 93 for accommodating the sample is arranged in the holding part 40. When the sample falls from the nozzle 24 to the holding part 40, the measured value of the measuring device 10 fluctuates. The control device 100 specifies the weight of the sample cut off from the nozzle 24 based on the amount of fluctuation of the measured value. That is, the control device 100 calculates the weight of the sample held by the holding part 40 based on the weight difference before the sample falls into the holding part 40 and after the sample has fallen into the holding part 40.

[0080] The transfer device 20A and the control device 100 repeat such processing while changing the target holding part 40. Thereby, samples are held in each of the plurality of holding parts 40. Similar to the first embodiment, the control device 100 selects a combination that satisfies the selection criteria corresponding to the target amount from among the combinations of the samples held in each of two or more of the plurality of holding parts 40 (see step S9).

[0081] After that, the control device 100 executes the processes of steps S10 to S12 described as the first embodiment. As a result, the user can easily acquire a target amount of the sample using the sample collection system 1A. According to the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user when collecting a sample that is a high-viscosity fluid based on the target amount.

[0082] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the amount of the sample discharged from the nozzle 24 can be controlled. In the first embodiment, the maximum value of the amount of the sample is determined by the capacity of the recess 71 of the ladle 70. In contrast, in the third embodiment, by controlling the amount of the sample discharged from the nozzle 24, it is possible to set a larger sampling unit amount than in the first embodiment.

[0083] The measuring device 10 in each of the above embodiments constitutes a "measuring device for measuring the amount of the sample held in each of the plurality of holding parts". That is, the "measuring device for measuring the amount of the sample held in each of the plurality of holding parts" includes, in addition to the mode in which the measuring device directly measures the "weight of the sample held in the holding part", a mode in which the weight of the sample is measured together with either the weight of the sample container 91 or the weight of the ladle 70.

[0084] [Aspect] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above-described embodiments and their modifications are specific examples of the following aspects.

[0085] (Item 1) A sample collection system according to one aspect is a sample collection system for collecting a sample that is a high-viscosity fluid, including a holder having a plurality of holding parts configured to hold the sample, a sample placement device configured to repeat a placement operation of placing a sample with a sampling unit amount less than the target amount into a holding part in which the sample is not held among the plurality of holding parts, a measuring device for measuring the amount of the sample held in each of the plurality of holding parts, and a control device. The control device selects a combination that satisfies a selection criterion corresponding to the target amount from among the combinations of the samples held in each of two or more of the plurality of holding parts.

[0086] According to the sample collection system described in claim 1, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user when collecting a sample that is a high-viscosity fluid based on a target amount.

[0087] (Claim 2) In the sample collection system described in claim 2, in the sample collection system described in claim 1, the sample placement device transfers a sample corresponding to a combination that satisfies a selection criterion from a holder to a container different from the holder.

[0088] According to the sample collection system described in claim 2, the user can obtain a target amount of sample in a container different from the holder.

[0089] (Claim 3) The sample collection system described in claim 3, in the sample collection system described in claim 1 or 2, further includes a display device, and the control device displays information for notifying the user that there is a combination that satisfies the selection criterion on the display device.

[0090] According to the sample collection system described in claim 3, the user can grasp a combination that satisfies the selection criterion.

[0091] (Claim 4) The sample collection system described in claim 4, in the sample collection system described in any one of claims 1 to 3, if there is no combination that satisfies the selection criterion among the combinations of samples held in each of two or more holding units, the control device changes the sampling unit amount, and the sample placement device executes a placement operation according to the changed sampling unit amount.

[0092] According to the sample collection system described in claim 4, the user can more appropriately create a combination that satisfies the selection criterion.

[0093] (Claim 5) The sample collection system described in claim 5, in the sample collection system described in claim 4, the control device changes the sampling unit amount so that the difference between the total amount of samples held in each of two or more holding units and the total amount of samples calculated based on the sampling unit amount becomes small.

[0094] According to the sample collection system described in claim 5, the user can more appropriately create a combination that meets the selection criteria.

[0095] (Claim 6) The sample collection system described in claim 6 is the sample collection system described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein after the sample placement device executes an operation of collecting a sample of a unit collection amount from the sample container using a collection member, it executes a placement operation.

[0096] According to the sample collection system described in claim 6, the user can save the trouble of collecting a sample with a collection member and obtaining a sample of a target amount.

[0097] (Claim 7) The sample collection system described in claim 7 is the sample collection system described in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a cutting device for cutting a sample, the cutting device having a cutting member and an ultrasonic oscillator for applying ultrasonic vibration to the cutting member, the sample placement device discharging a sample from a nozzle at an upper position of each of a plurality of holding portions, and the cutting device causing the cutting member that ultrasonically vibrates to contact the sample hanging down from the nozzle to cut the sample, thereby dropping a sample of a unit collection amount onto each of the plurality of holding portions.

[0098] According to the sample collection system described in claim 7, it can be adjusted within a range wider than the unit collection amount.

[0099] (Claim 8) The sample collection system described in claim 8 is the sample collection system described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control device is configured to receive an input of a target amount from the user.

[0100] According to the sample collection system described in claim 8, the user can set the target amount in various ways.

[0101] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the above-described embodiments, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims be included.

Explanation of Signs

[0102] 1, 1A Sample collection system, 10 Measuring device, 20, 20A Transfer device, 21 Gripper, 22 Slider mechanism, 23 Suction device, 24 Nozzle, 40, 401, 402, 40n Holding part, 50 Input device, 60 Display device, 70 Sedge, 71 Recess, 80 Ultrasonic cutter, 81 Knife, 82 Ultrasonic oscillator, 90 Folder, 91 Sample container, 92 Dilution container, 93 Plate, 100 Control device, 101 Processor, 102 Memory, 103 Input / output interface, 400, 400A Holder.

Claims

1. 1. A sampling system for collecting a sample that is a high viscosity fluid, comprising: a holder having a plurality of holders configured to hold the sample; a sample placement device configured to repeat a placement operation of placing a collection unit amount of sample smaller than a target amount in a holding portion of the plurality of holding portions that does not hold a sample; a measuring device for measuring the amount of sample held in each of the plurality of holding portions; a control device; A sample collection system in which the control device selects a combination that satisfies a selection criterion corresponding to the target amount from among combinations of samples held in each of two or more of the plurality of holding units.

2. 10. The sample collection system of claim 1, wherein the sample placement device transfers samples corresponding to combinations that satisfy the selection criteria from the holder to a container separate from the holder.

3. Further comprising a display device, 3. The sample collection system according to claim 1, wherein the control device displays, on the display device, information to notify the user that a combination that satisfies the selection criteria exists.

4. The control device changes the collection unit amount when there is no combination that satisfies the selection criterion among the combinations of samples held in each of the two or more holding units, The sample collection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sample placement device performs the placement operation in accordance with the changed collection unit amount.

5. The sample collection system of claim 4, wherein the control device changes the collection unit amount so that the difference between the total amount of sample held in each of the two or more holding units and the total amount of sample calculated based on the collection unit amount becomes small.

6. 3. The sample collection system according to claim 1, wherein the sample placement device performs the placement operation after performing an operation of collecting the unit amount of sample from the sample container using a collection member.

7. further comprising a cutting device for cutting the sample; The cutting device is A cutting member; an ultrasonic oscillator that applies ultrasonic vibration to the cutting member; the sample placement device ejects a sample from a nozzle above each of the plurality of holders; The sample collection system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cutting device drops the sample of the collection unit amount onto each of the plurality of holding parts by cutting the sample by bringing the cutting member that ultrasonically vibrates into contact with the sample hanging down from the nozzle.

8. The sample collection system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control device is configured to receive an input of the target amount from a user.

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