Paste sample weighing device and separation mechanism provided therein

Abstract

To provide a paste sample weighing device and a separation mechanism capable of preventing mixing with previously discharged paste samples during mass measurement of paste samples discharged from a syringe, using a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A paste sample weighing device 1 includes a support unit 2 that supports a syringe 7 having a cylindrical body 15 filled with a paste sample and a nozzle unit 16 provided at the tip of the body 15, a separation mechanism 3 that cuts the paste sample discharged from the nozzle unit 16 by jetting compressed air, a compressed air supply source that supplies compressed air to the separation mechanism 3, and a mass measurement unit 5 that measures the mass of the paste sample cut by the separation mechanism 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paste sample measuring device capable of measuring the mass of a paste sample, and a detachment mechanism capable of detaching a paste sample discharged from a syringe of the paste sample measuring device from the syringe. [Background technology]

[0002] A known paste discharge device is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. In this paste discharge device, a wire is used as a cutting means for cutting the paste discharged from the nozzle opening. A thin-blade cutter is also known as a cutting means for cutting the paste discharged from the nozzle opening. By cutting the paste discharged from the nozzle opening in this manner, it is possible to solve the problem of stringiness, in which the paste discharged from the nozzle becomes connected to the paste inside the nozzle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-183882 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To measure a desired mass of paste, a desired amount of paste is dispensed from a syringe and the mass of the dispensed paste is measured using a balance. In such a measuring device, the paste inside the syringe is pushed toward the opening at the tip of the syringe by a piston, thereby dispensing the paste from the syringe. In such a configuration, if the amount of paste dispensed from the syringe is small, the paste dispensed from the syringe opening may remain connected to the paste inside the syringe, and may not be able to drop onto the balance. This is particularly noticeable when the viscosity of the paste is high or when the diameter of the syringe containing the paste is large.

[0005] Therefore, it is conceivable to use the above-mentioned wire or cutter as a means for cutting the paste dispensed from the syringe opening. When a wire or cutter is used as the cutting means, the cutting means comes into direct contact with the paste. In a configuration in which the cutting means comes into direct contact with the paste, when attempting to continuously dispense paste from the syringe and measure the mass of each dispense, the next dispensed paste may be cut by the cutting means to which the previously dispensed paste is attached. Furthermore, in a configuration in which the cutting means comes into direct contact with the paste, when attempting to measure the mass of paste dispensed from each syringe while replacing multiple different syringes in the apparatus, the paste dispensed from the replaced syringe may be cut by the cutting means to which the paste dispensed from the previous syringe is attached. For example, after measuring the mass of a first paste contained in a first syringe, the first syringe is removed from the apparatus, and then a second syringe containing a second paste different from the first paste is attached to the apparatus. In this case, when attempting to measure the mass of a second paste in the second syringe, the second paste may be cut by the cutting means to which the first paste is attached.

[0006] If the cutting means to which the paste previously discharged from the syringe (hereinafter referred to as the "pre-paste") is attached cuts the paste discharged next from the syringe (hereinafter referred to as the "post-paste"), there is a risk that the pre-paste will be mixed in when the mass of the post-paste is measured. If the pre-paste is mixed with the post-paste, the mass of the post-paste cannot be accurately measured. Furthermore, if the pre-paste is mixed with the post-paste, this will have a negative impact on the analysis of the post-paste after mass measurement, making it impossible to accurately grasp the properties of the post-paste. To prevent this problem from occurring, it is possible to clean the cutting means after measuring the mass of the post-paste, but cleaning the cutting means requires time and effort.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a paste-type sample measuring device with a simple configuration that can prevent the paste-type sample from being mixed with the paste-type sample from a previous measurement when measuring the mass of the paste-type sample ejected from a syringe, and a separation mechanism used therein. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) The paste-like sample measuring device according to the present invention comprises a cylindrical main body portion in which the paste-like sample is filled, a support portion for supporting a syringe having a nozzle portion provided at the tip of the main body portion, a cutting mechanism for cutting the paste-like sample discharged from the nozzle portion by jetting compressed air, a compressed air supply source for supplying compressed air to the cutting mechanism, and a mass measuring portion for measuring the mass of the paste-like sample cut by the cutting mechanism.

[0009] (2) In the above (1), it is preferable that the detachment mechanism has an injection port for injecting compressed air, and that the injection port is located closer to the base end than the tip of the nozzle portion of the syringe supported by the support portion, and is inclined so as to face the tip of the nozzle portion.

[0010] (3) In the above (2), it is preferable that the separation mechanism has a plurality of the injection ports, the plurality of injection ports are positioned so as to surround the nozzle portion of the syringe supported by the support portion, and adjacent injection ports are positioned at equal intervals.

[0011] (4) In (3) above, it is preferable that the separation mechanism has an injection part provided on the support part, the injection part has a cylindrical gap surrounding the axis of the nozzle part of the syringe supported on the support part, a through hole connecting the cylindrical gap to the outside of the injection part, and a plurality of paths communicating with the cylindrical gap, the compressed air supply source is connected to the cylindrical gap via the through hole, and each of the plurality of paths has the injection port and a communication port opening into the cylindrical gap.

[0012] (5) In the above (4), it is preferable that the ejection part is detachably provided on the support part.

[0013] (6) The cutting mechanism according to the present invention is provided in a paste sample measuring device that measures the mass of a paste sample discharged from a nozzle of a syringe having a cylindrical main body filled with a paste sample and a nozzle provided at the tip of the main body, and cuts the paste sample discharged from the nozzle by jetting compressed air, and has an injection part having a plurality of injection ports for injecting compressed air, and each of the plurality of injection ports is located closer to the base end than the tip of the nozzle of the syringe when it is provided in the paste sample measuring device, and is inclined so as to face the tip of the nozzle. The multiple injection ports are positioned to surround the nozzle portion of the syringe when it is installed in the paste-type sample measuring device, and adjacent injection ports are positioned at equal intervals, and the injection portion has a cylindrical gap that surrounds the axis of the nozzle portion of the syringe when it is installed in the paste-type sample measuring device, a through hole that connects the cylindrical gap to the outside of the injection portion, and multiple paths that connect to the cylindrical gap, and compressed air is supplied to the cylindrical gap from a compressed air supply source through the through hole, and each of the multiple paths has the injection port and a communication port that opens into the cylindrical gap. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a paste sample measuring device with a simple configuration that can prevent the paste sample from mixing with the previous measurement when measuring the mass of the paste sample ejected from the syringe, and a separation mechanism used therein. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a paste-like sample measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a paste-like sample measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the main parts shown enlarged. [Figure 3]1 is a diagram showing an example of a separation mechanism provided in a paste-type sample measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a separation mechanism provided in a paste-type sample measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic side view showing a state in which a paste-like sample measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention is in use, showing a state in which a syringe is attached to the device. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a paste-like sample measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention is in use, showing an enlarged view of a piston drive unit. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic side view showing a state in which a paste-like sample measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention is in use, showing a state in which a test is being performed in which a paste-like sample is discharged from a syringe. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic side view showing a state in which a paste-like sample measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention is in use, showing a state in which a paste-like sample is being discharged from a syringe to a mass measuring section. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a paste-like sample measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the paste-like sample measuring device of Fig. 1, with the main parts shown enlarged. The paste-like sample measuring device 1 according to this embodiment is a device for measuring the mass of a cut paste-like sample, and includes a support unit 2, a cutting mechanism 3, a compressed air supply source 4, a mass measuring unit 5, and a base 6.

[0018] The paste-like sample measured by the paste-like sample measuring device 1 according to this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is in a paste form, but may be, for example, a pharmaceutical product. Typical examples of paste-like samples include paste-like toothpaste and paste-like ointment. Note that the paste-like sample is not limited to pharmaceutical products, and may also be, for example, a paste-like food product such as mayonnaise. In this embodiment, a paste-like sample includes a sample in which ingredients are finely crushed using a mixer or the like, and some granular ingredients remain.

[0019] The syringe 7 filled with such a paste-like sample is supported by a support 2. The support 2 has a holding portion 8 that holds the syringe 7 and a column 9 that supports the holding portion 8. The holding portion 8 is a roughly rectangular block shape and has a holding hole 10 that penetrates in the vertical direction. The column 9 has a pair of column pieces 11, 11. The pair of column pieces 11, 11 extend in the vertical direction and are erected on a base 6 described below. When installed on the base 6, the pair of column pieces 11, 11 are spaced apart from each other. The holding portion 8 is attached to the vertical midpoint of the column 9 via a plate-shaped mounting piece 12, protruding forward. When the holding portion 8 is attached to the column 9, the axial direction of the holding hole 10 in the holding portion 8 is aligned with the vertical direction. It is preferable that the holding portion 8 be attached to the column 9 so that its vertical position can be changed.

[0020] The illustrated paste-like sample measuring device 1 uses an injector 13 that can push out the paste-like sample in the syringe 7. The injector 13 has the syringe 7 filled with the paste-like sample and a piston part 14 that is provided in the syringe 7 so as to be able to move forward and backward.

[0021] The syringe 7 has a cylindrical main body 15 and a nozzle 16, which is an outlet for the paste-like sample. The main body 15 is cylindrical and opens in the vertical direction, with the lower end formed into a tapered truncated cone. The inside of the main body 15 is filled with the paste-like sample. The nozzle 16 is cylindrical and opens in the vertical direction, and is provided at the lower end of the main body 15. When the nozzle 16 is provided in the main body 15, the nozzle 16 communicates with the main body 15 via the lower and upper openings of the main body 15. The nozzle 16 protrudes downward from the lower end of the main body 15. In this way, the nozzle 16 is provided at the tip of the main body 15. The piston 14 is fitted into the main body 15 via the upper opening of the main body 15. The piston part 14 can be moved toward the nozzle part 16 while fitted into the main body part 15, thereby discharging the paste-like sample inside the main body part 15 from the nozzle part 16.

[0022] As described above, the paste-like sample measuring device 1 of this embodiment uses an injector 13 having a piston portion 14. Therefore, the paste-like sample measuring device 1 of this embodiment includes a piston drive unit 17 that moves the piston portion 14 toward the nozzle portion 16 and a drive source 18 that drives the piston drive unit 17. The piston drive unit 17 includes a plate 19 that is generally rectangular in front view, a push-down mechanism 20 that pushes down the piston portion 14 of the injector 13, and a drive source (not shown) that drives the push-down mechanism 20. The plate 19 is attached to the column 9 with its plate surface facing forward and backward. The plate 19 is attached to the column 9 so that it can move up and down relative to the column 9 and can be maintained at any position in the up and down direction. The push-down mechanism 20 protrudes forward from the plate 19. Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the paste-like sample measuring device of Figure 1 in use, with the piston drive unit shown enlarged. The push-down mechanism 20 of the piston drive unit 17 is provided on the plate piece 19 .

[0023] The push-down mechanism 20 has a pair of contact pieces 22, 22 that contact the piston portion 14, a holding piece 23 that holds the pair of contact pieces 22, 22, and a pivot 24 that connects the contact pieces 22, 22 and the holding piece 23. Each of the pair of contact pieces 22, 22 is in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate, with a bifurcated base end. The holding piece 23 is in the shape of a substantially rectangular block, and is provided on the plate piece 19 so as to protrude forward. Of the pair of left and right contact pieces 22, 22, the left contact piece 22 is provided to the left of the holding piece 23, and the right contact piece 22 is provided to the right of the holding piece 23. The left contact piece 22 is connected by the pivot 24 that extends vertically, with the holding piece 23 inserted into the bifurcated portion of the left contact piece 22. The contact piece 22 located on the right side is connected by a pivot 24 along the vertical direction, with the holding piece 23 inserted into the bifurcated portion of the contact piece 22 located on the right side. With this configuration, the pair of contact pieces 22, 22 are provided on the plate piece 19 so as to be rotatable in opposite directions around the pivot 24. In other words, the pair of contact pieces 22, 22 can be opened and closed between a closed state in which the tips of the contact pieces are in contact or close to each other, and an open state in which the tips are separated from each other.

[0024] The drive source that drives the push-down mechanism 20 is typically a motor. By driving this drive source, the pair of contact pieces 22, 22 of the push-down mechanism 20 can be opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 1 , the drive source 18 that drives the piston drive unit 17 is typically a motor, and is attached to the column 9 via a mounting plate 25. By driving this drive source 18, the plate piece 19 of the piston drive unit 17 can be moved up and down. When the drive source 18 stops, the plate piece 19 of the piston drive unit 17 stops moving and is maintained in the position where it stopped moving.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a separation mechanism provided in the paste-type sample measuring device of FIG. 1, as viewed from below. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a separation mechanism provided in the paste-type sample measuring device of FIG. 1, as viewed from above. The separation mechanism 3 cuts the paste-type sample discharged from the nozzle unit 16 by jetting compressed air. In this embodiment, the separation mechanism 3 has an injection unit 26 provided in the support unit 2. The injection unit 26 is approximately cylindrical in shape and is provided on the underside of the holding unit 8. The injection unit 26 has a hole 27 penetrating in the vertical direction. This hole 27 is a stepped hole that is circular in plan view and has a large-diameter hole 28 located on the upper side and a small-diameter hole 29 located on the lower side. The inner surface of the small-diameter hole 29 has a tapered surface so that the diameter increases as it extends downward. As described above, the hole 27 provided in the injection unit 26 is a stepped hole. Therefore, the injection part 26 has inside thereof a step part 30 which is circular in plan view. A flange part 31 which extends outward in the radial direction is provided at the upper end part which is one axial end side of the injection part 26.

[0026] The injection part 26 has a cylindrical gap 32 that opens upward, a plurality of through holes 33 that connect the cylindrical gap 32 to the outside of the injection part 26, and a plurality of paths 34 that communicate with the cylindrical gap 32. The cylindrical gap 32 is a cylindrical gap that opens at the top surface of the injection part 26. The cylindrical gap 32 is provided in the injection part 26 so as to surround the hole 27 of the injection part 26. The top surface of the injection part 26 is provided with an annular inner groove portion 35 that opens upward radially inward from the cylindrical gap 32, and an annular outer groove portion 36 that opens upward radially outward from the cylindrical gap 32. In the illustrated example, the injection part 26 has two through holes 33. The two through holes 33 are provided at positions that face each other in the radial direction of the injection part 26. Each through hole 33 extends radially of the injection portion 26 and opens into the cylindrical gap 32 and the outer peripheral surface of the injection portion 26. In the illustrated example, the injection portion 26 has six paths 34. Each of the paths 34 has a linear through-hole shape and includes a communication port 37 that opens into the cylindrical gap 32 and an injection port 38 that injects compressed air. The injection port 38 opens into the tapered inner surface of the small-diameter hole 29 and is therefore inclined so as to face radially inward of the injection portion 26. The paths 34 thus provided in the injection portion 26 are positioned at equal intervals around the circumference of the injection portion 26 and face each other radially. Therefore, the injection ports 38 provided in the injection portion 26 are positioned at equal intervals around the circumference of the injection portion 26 and face each other radially.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2 , the jetting unit 26 of the separation mechanism 3 is detachably attached to the support unit 2. Typically, the jetting unit 26 is detachably attached to the support unit 8 by screwing a screw 39 into a threaded hole in the support unit 8 via the flange 31 of the jetting unit 26, with the flange 31 abutting the underside of the support unit 8. When the jetting unit 26 is attached to the support unit 2, annular seals 40 are provided in the inner groove 35 and the outer groove 36, respectively. Therefore, the gap between the jetting unit 26 and the support unit 8 is sealed radially inward from the cylindrical gap 32, and the gap between the jetting unit 26 and the support unit 8 is sealed radially outward from the cylindrical gap 32. In the illustrated example, the seals 40 are O-rings. When the jetting unit 26 is attached to the support unit 2, the retaining hole 10 of the retaining unit 8 is in communication with the hole 27 of the jetting unit 26. Typically, the hole 27 of the jetting portion 26 located on the lower side is arranged on the same axis as the holding hole 10 of the holding portion 8 located on the upper side.

[0028] As described above, the injection unit 26 has a plurality of injection ports 38 arranged at equal intervals around the circumferential direction of the injection unit 26. Therefore, the separation mechanism 3 has a plurality of injection ports 38 that inject compressed air. Compressed air is supplied from the compressed air supply source 4 to the separation mechanism 3, which is provided with the injection ports 38 in this manner. The compressed air supply source 4 is typically an air compressor. The compressed air supply source 4 is connected to the two through holes 33 via an air supply path 41. In this case, the air supply path 41 is connected to the injection unit 26 via a joint 42. A solenoid valve (not shown) that opens and closes the air supply path 41 is provided in the air supply path 41. With this configuration, the compressed air supply source 4 is connected to the cylindrical gap 32 via the through hole 33. Therefore, the compressed air supply source 4 is connected to the injection ports 38 of the path 34 via the through hole 33 and the cylindrical gap 32.

[0029] The mass of the paste sample cut by the cutting mechanism 3 is measured by the mass measurement unit 5. The mass measurement unit 5 is, for example, an electronic balance for measuring the mass of an object. The mass measurement unit 5 is provided with a container holding unit 44 that holds a container 43 in which the paste sample cut by the cutting mechanism 3 is accommodated. The container holding unit 44 is cylindrical with a bottom and is fixed to the mass measurement unit 5 with the container holding unit 44 open at the top. The container 43 is cylindrical with a bottom and is held by the container holding unit 44 by being inserted into the container holding unit 44 from the top opening of the container holding unit 44. When the container 43 is attached to the container holding unit 44, the container 43 is open at the top. In this way, the container 43 is detachably attached to the mass measurement unit 5 via the container holding unit 44.

[0030] The mass measuring unit 5 is slidably provided on the base 6. Specifically, the mass measuring unit 5 is provided on the base 6 so as to be movable between a position where the container 43 provided in the mass measuring unit 5 is disposed below the ejector 26 attached to the support part 2, and a position where the container 43 provided in the mass measuring unit 5 is removed from below the ejector 26 attached to the support part 2.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1 , the base 6 is a generally rectangular plate in plan view with the longitudinal direction extending in the front-to-rear direction, and the plate surface faces up and down. As described above, the base 6 is provided with the support unit 2, mass measurement unit 5, and the like. The support unit 2 is erected at the rear of the base 6. In this case, the support unit 2 is provided on the base 6 with the holder 8 protruding forward from the column 9. The mass measurement unit 5 is provided on the base 6 via a mounting seat 45.

[0032] The mounting seat 45 is generally L-shaped in plan view, and has one piece 46 extending left and right and another piece 47 extending forward and backward. The one piece 46 of the mounting seat 45 is movably mounted on the upper surface of the base 6 in the forward and backward directions. The mass measurement unit 5 is placed and fixed on the one piece 46. At this time, the container 43 attached to the mass measurement unit 5 is located on the left side of the one piece 46. The other piece 47 of the mounting seat 45 extends rearward from the left end of the one piece 46. The other piece 47 is attached to the base 6 via the one piece 46. In other words, the other piece 47 is not directly attached to the base 6. A waste sample container holder 49 for holding a waste sample container 48 is provided at the rear end of the other piece 47. The waste sample container holder 49 is cylindrical with a bottom and is fixed to the rear end of the other piece 47 with its opening facing upward. The waste sample container 48 is cylindrical with a bottom, and is held by the waste sample container holder 49 by being inserted into the waste sample container holder 49 from the top opening of the waste sample container holder 49. When the waste sample container 48 is attached to the waste sample container holder 49, the waste sample container 48 opens upward. In this way, the waste sample container 48 is detachably attached to the rear end of the other piece 47 via the waste sample container holder 49.

[0033] With this configuration, the mass measurement unit 5 can be moved as described above by sliding the mounting seat 45 in the forward and backward directions relative to the base 6. In this embodiment, the sample disposal container 48 is provided on the mounting seat 45, so by sliding the mounting seat 45, the container 43 and the sample disposal container 48 can be moved simultaneously in the same direction. Note that in this embodiment, the mounting seat 45 can be slid in the forward and backward directions by driving a drive source 50 provided on the base 6. The drive source 50 is, for example, a motor.

[0034] Next, an example of the measurement operation of the paste-like sample measuring device 1 of this embodiment will be described. Figures 5, 7, and 8 are side views showing the use of the paste-like sample measuring device of this embodiment in chronological order. Figure 5 is a schematic side view showing the use of the paste-like sample measuring device of Figure 1, showing a state in which a syringe is attached to the device. Figure 7 is a schematic side view showing the use of the paste-like sample measuring device of Figure 1, showing a state in which a test is performed in which a paste-like sample is discharged from a syringe. Figure 8 is a schematic side view showing the use of the paste-like sample measuring device of Figure 1, showing a state in which a paste-like sample is discharged from a syringe into a mass measurement unit.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, the paste-like sample measuring device 1 of this embodiment is used with the syringe 7 held by the support part 2. As described above, the paste-like sample measuring device 1 of this embodiment uses the injector 13 having the syringe 7. Therefore, the paste-like sample measuring device 1 of this embodiment is used with the injector 13 supported by the support part 2.

[0036] When the injector 13 is supported on the support 2, the pair of contact pieces 22, 22 of the piston drive unit 17 are in an open state. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the tips of the pair of contact pieces 22, 22 are separated from each other. In this state, the syringe 7 provided with the piston 14 is inserted from above into the holding hole 10 of the holder 8. When the syringe 7 is inserted into the holding hole 10, as shown in FIG. 2, the lower end of the body 15 of the syringe 7 is inserted into the hole 27 of the ejection unit 26 and comes into contact with the step 30 formed inside the ejection unit 26. The syringe 7 contacting the step 30 prevents the syringe 7 from falling downward from the holder 8 and the ejection unit 26. In this manner, the injector 13 is supported on the support 2.

[0037] When the syringe 7 is supported by the support portion 2, the nozzle portion 16 of the syringe 7 protrudes downward from the hole 27 of the ejection portion 26, as shown in FIG. 2 . As described above, the ejection port 38 provided in the ejection portion 26 is formed on the inner surface of the small-diameter hole 29. As a result, the ejection port 38 is located higher than the lower end of the nozzle portion 16. Furthermore, because the ejection port 38 is formed on the tapered inner surface of the small-diameter hole 29, it is inclined obliquely downward toward the inside of the ejection portion 26. Therefore, the ejection port 38 is located closer to the base end than the tip of the nozzle portion 16 of the syringe 7 supported by the support portion 2, and is inclined toward the tip of the nozzle portion 16. As described above, the multiple paths 34 are positioned at equal intervals around the circumferential direction of the ejection portion 26. Therefore, the multiple ejection ports 38 are positioned so as to surround the nozzle portion 16 of the syringe 7 supported by the support portion 2, and adjacent ejection ports 38, 38 are positioned at equal intervals. The cylindrical gap 32, which is in communication with the injection port 38, is formed so as to surround the hole 27 of the injection part 26. Therefore, the cylindrical gap 32 surrounds the axis of the nozzle part 16 of the syringe 7 supported by the support part 2.

[0038] After the syringe 7 is supported by the support 2, the pair of contact pieces 22, 22 of the piston driver 17 are closed as shown in FIG. 7 . That is, the tips of the pair of contact pieces 22, 22 are brought into contact with each other. In this state, when the plate 19 of the piston driver 17 is moved downward, the pair of contact pieces 22, 22 push the piston 14 toward the nozzle 16. Note that in a brand new injector 13 in which a paste-like sample in the syringe 7 has never been ejected from the nozzle 16, air remains in the syringe 7, and the paste-like sample cannot be ejected from the nozzle 16 by simply pushing the piston 14 slightly. Therefore, before measuring the mass of the paste-like sample, a pretreatment process, as described below, is performed. When this pretreatment process is performed, a sample disposal container 48 is placed below the nozzle 16 of the syringe 7 supported by the support 2.

[0039] Specifically, a desired amount of paste-like sample is discharged from nozzle portion 16. In this case, piston portion 14 is pushed toward nozzle portion 16 until the desired amount of paste-like sample is discharged from nozzle portion 16. Whether the desired amount of paste-like sample has been discharged from nozzle portion 16 is detected by a sensor (not shown) provided in support portion 2. When the sensor detects that the desired amount of paste-like sample has been discharged from nozzle portion 16, drive source 18 is controlled to stop, and the downward movement of plate piece 19 is stopped.

[0040] When a desired amount of paste-like sample is discharged from nozzle portion 16, if the paste-like sample discharged from nozzle portion 16 breaks naturally, the broken paste-like sample falls downward and is collected in sample disposal container 48. When a desired amount of paste-like sample is discharged from nozzle portion 16, if the paste-like sample discharged from nozzle portion 16 is connected to the paste-like sample in syringe 7, the paste-like sample discharged from nozzle portion 16 is cut by cutting mechanism 3. To cut the paste-like sample discharged from nozzle portion 16 by cutting mechanism 3, compressed air from compressed air supply source 4 is injected from injection port 38.

[0041] Compressed air from the compressed air supply source 4 is supplied to the through-hole 33 of the injection unit 26 via the air supply path 41. At this time, the solenoid valve provided in the air supply path 41 is open. The compressed air supplied to the through-hole 33 is then supplied to the cylindrical gap 32 communicating with the through-hole 33. The compressed air supplied to the cylindrical gap 32 is then supplied to multiple paths 34 communicating with the cylindrical gap 32. The compressed air is then injected from the injection ports 38 of each of the multiple paths 34 toward the tip of the nozzle unit 16. The compressed air thus injected cuts the paste-like sample discharged from the nozzle unit 16 from the paste-like sample in the syringe 7. The cut paste-like sample falls downward and is collected in the sample disposal container 48. After cutting, the injection of compressed air from the injection port 38 can be stopped by closing the solenoid valve provided in the air supply path 41.

[0042] After the above-described pretreatment is completed, the mass of the paste sample is measured using the paste sample measuring device 1 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, when measuring the mass of the paste sample, a container 43 is placed below the nozzle 16 of the syringe 7 supported by the support part 2. That is, after the pretreatment, the drive source 50 provided on the base 6 is driven to move the mounting seat 45 backward. Here, a case where 5 grams of paste sample is measured will be described. However, the mass to be measured is not limited to 5 grams.

[0043] When measuring 5 grams of paste-like sample, for example, 2.5 grams of paste-like sample is discharged from nozzle portion 16. This is achieved by controlling the drive source so that the downward movement distance of plate piece 19 is such that 2.5 grams of paste-like sample is discharged from nozzle portion 16. Thereafter, if the paste-like sample discharged from nozzle portion 16 is connected to the paste-like sample in syringe 7, the cutting mechanism 3 cuts the paste-like sample discharged from nozzle portion 16. The cutting of the paste-like sample discharged from nozzle portion 16 is performed in the same manner as described above. That is, compressed air supplied from compressed air supply source 4 via air supply path 41, through-hole 33, cylindrical gap 32, and multiple paths 34 is ejected from ejection port 38, whereby the paste-like sample discharged from nozzle portion 16 is cut from the paste-like sample in syringe 7.

[0044] The cut paste sample falls downward and is collected in container 43. The mass of the paste sample collected in container 43 is measured by mass measuring unit 5. After cutting, the solenoid valve provided in air supply path 41 is closed. Thereafter, the ejection of the paste sample from nozzle unit 16 and the cutting of the ejected portion are repeated until the mass measured by mass measuring unit 5 reaches 5 grams. When the ejection of the paste sample from nozzle unit 16 and the cutting of the ejected portion are repeated, it is preferable that the amount of paste sample ejected from nozzle unit 16 is decreased toward the latter half of the process.

[0045] Conventionally, paste samples are cut using a cutting mechanism such as a cutter that comes into direct contact with the paste sample. Therefore, when measuring the mass of a paste sample discharged from syringe 7, there is a risk that the paste sample adhering to the cutting mechanism from the previous measurement may become mixed in. In contrast, the paste sample measuring device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a cutting mechanism 3 that cuts the paste sample discharged from nozzle 16 by jetting compressed air. Therefore, the paste sample measuring device 1 of this embodiment can prevent the paste sample from the previous measurement from becoming mixed in when measuring the mass of the paste sample discharged from syringe 7.

[0046] In the case of the paste-like sample measuring device 1 of this embodiment, the injection port 38 is located closer to the base end than the tip of the nozzle part 16 of the syringe 7 when supported by the support part 2, and is inclined so as to face the tip of the nozzle part 16. As a result, the compressed air from the injection port 38 is injected obliquely downward toward the tip of the nozzle part 16. Therefore, with the paste-like sample measuring device 1 of this embodiment, the cut paste-like sample is not blown sideways, and the cut paste-like sample can be reliably dropped into the container 43.

[0047] In the case of the paste-like sample measuring device 1 of this embodiment, the multiple injection ports 38 are positioned so as to surround the nozzle portion 16 of the syringe 7 while it is supported by the support portion 2, and adjacent injection ports 38, 38 are positioned at equal intervals. Therefore, the paste-like sample measuring device 1 of this embodiment can more reliably prevent the cut paste-like sample from being scattered sideways.

[0048] In the case of the paste-like sample measuring device 1 of this embodiment, the spray part 26 has a cylindrical gap 32 that surrounds the axis of the nozzle part 16 of the syringe 7 while it is supported by the support part 2. Therefore, according to the paste-like sample measuring device 1 of this embodiment, compressed air can be distributed uniformly to the multiple spray ports 38.

[0049] According to the detachment mechanism 3 of this embodiment, since the detachment mechanism 3 has the above-described configuration, when measuring the mass of the paste-like sample ejected from the syringe 7, it is possible to prevent the paste-like sample from the previous measurement from mixing with the pasty sample.

[0050] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes modifications and improvements within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention.

[0051] For example, in the above embodiment, six injection ports 38 are provided in the injection section 26, but this is not limitative. The number of injection ports 38 can be changed as appropriate, and is preferably plural. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 Paste sample measuring device 2 Support part 3. Detachment mechanism 4. Compressed air supply source 5 Mass measurement section 7 syringes 15 Main body 16 Nozzle section 26 Injection part 32 Cylindrical gap 33 Through hole 34 Routes 37 Connecting port 38 Nozzle

Claims

1. a support part for supporting a syringe having a cylindrical main body part filled with a paste-like sample and a nozzle part provided at the tip of the main body part; a cutting mechanism that cuts the paste sample discharged from the nozzle portion by jetting compressed air; a compressed air supply source that supplies compressed air to the disconnecting mechanism; a mass measuring unit that measures the mass of the paste sample cut by the cutting mechanism.

2. the detaching mechanism has an injection port for injecting compressed air, 2. The paste-like sample measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle is located closer to the base end than the tip of the nozzle portion of the syringe when supported by the support portion, and is inclined so as to face the tip of the nozzle portion.

3. the detachment mechanism has a plurality of the injection ports, 3. The paste-type sample measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of injection ports are positioned so as to surround the nozzle portion of the syringe when supported by the support portion, and adjacent injection ports are positioned at equal intervals.

4. the detachment mechanism has an ejection part provided on the support part, the injection portion has a cylindrical gap surrounding an axis of the nozzle portion of the syringe supported by the support portion, a through hole communicating the cylindrical gap with the outside of the injection portion, and a plurality of paths communicating with the cylindrical gap, the compressed air supply source is connected to the cylindrical gap via the through hole, 4. The paste-like sample measuring device according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of paths has the injection port and a communication port that opens into the cylindrical gap.

5. The paste-like sample measuring device according to claim 4 , wherein the ejection unit is detachably provided on the support unit.

6. A paste sample measuring device for measuring the mass of a paste sample discharged from a nozzle of a syringe having a cylindrical main body filled with a paste sample and a nozzle provided at the tip of the main body, the device comprising: a cutting mechanism for cutting the paste sample discharged from the nozzle by jetting compressed air; an injection unit having a plurality of injection ports for injecting compressed air; each of the plurality of injection ports is located closer to the base end than the tip of the nozzle portion of the syringe when the syringe is installed in the paste-type sample measuring device, and is inclined so as to face the tip of the nozzle portion; the plurality of injection ports are positioned so as to surround the nozzle portion of the syringe when the syringe is installed in the paste-type sample measuring device, and adjacent injection ports are positioned at equal intervals; the injection part has a cylindrical gap surrounding the axis of the nozzle part of the syringe when the syringe is installed in the paste-type sample measuring device, a through-hole that connects the cylindrical gap to the outside of the injection part, and a plurality of paths that connect to the cylindrical gap; Compressed air is supplied to the cylindrical gap from a compressed air supply source through the through hole, A separation mechanism, wherein each of the plurality of paths has the injection port and a communication port that opens into the cylindrical gap.

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