Lid member and specimen storage container including the same

Abstract

To provide a lid member capable of quickly introducing a specimen into a preservation solution in a storage-side space, with respect to a test solution storage container in which a space in a container body is partitioned into an opening-side space and the storage-side space by a backflow suppression mechanism.SOLUTION: A lid member 10 attached to a test solution storage container 30 and sealing an inlet 30a, where the test solution storage container includes a container body 31 having an inlet 30a for introducing a prescribed specimen P, and a flow suppression mechanism 37 that divides a space S2 in the container body 31 into an opening-side space S21 facing the inlet and a communication space S22 connected to the opening-side space S21 through a communication port 37d and for storing a preservation solution K for preserving the specimen P, and that suppresses a flow of the preservation solution K from the communication space S22 to the opening-side space S21, the lid member includes a sealing part 11 that seals the inlet 30a, with it attached to the test solution storage container 30, and a pressure mechanism 15 for pressurizing the inside of a pressurization object area including the communication port 37d in the opening-side space S21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover member used for a specimen storage container, and to a specimen storage container. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a method has been known in which a sample made of a viscous liquid is placed in a container and the sample's components are tested using the container. For example, periodontal disease is tested by detecting the concentration of occult blood (hemoglobin) in saliva, which is a viscous liquid. In this periodontal disease test, a preservative solution is placed in the container for the saliva beforehand, because hemoglobin in saliva is unstable.

[0003] Preservative solutions may contain substances that are harmful to the human body. Therefore, some containers for holding specimens collected from the human body are equipped with a backflow prevention mechanism to prevent the preservative solution from flowing back out of the specimen inlet, in order to prevent the human body from being exposed to the preservative solution.

[0004] Specifically, as a storage container having a backflow prevention mechanism, for example, a stool collection container for collecting stool, as described in Patent Document 1, is known.

[0005] The stool collection container described in Patent Document 1 includes a test liquid container and a collection rod for collecting stool and introducing the collected stool into the test liquid container. The test liquid container has a container body that contains the test liquid (preservative solution), a connection port that stands on the top plate of the container body and has a tip opening into which the collection rod is inserted, and a leveling portion that is provided inside the container body and that disperses the stool adhering to the collection rod into the test liquid.

[0006] The leveling portion divides the interior of the container body into an opening-side space facing the connection port and a storage-side space facing the bottom of the container body opposite the top plate and containing the test liquid. Specifically, the leveling portion has a cylindrical portion extending from the top plate of the container body into the opening-side space, a pair of legs extending from the tip of the cylindrical portion toward the bottom, and scraping claws protruding inward at the tips of the legs for scraping feces adhering to the sampling rod. The cylindrical portion restricts the introduction of air from the opening-side space to the storage-side space, thereby preventing atmospheric pressure from causing the test liquid in the storage-side space to move through the cylindrical portion to the opening-side space. In this way, the leveling portion functions as a valve, preventing the test liquid from flowing back from the storage-side space to the opening-side space. In other words, in the stool collection container described in Patent Document 1, the leveling portion constitutes a backflow prevention mechanism. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-29825 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, when introducing a viscous liquid into a storage container having a backflow prevention mechanism, the backflow prevention function of the backflow prevention mechanism also acts as a resistance to the introduction of the viscous liquid, which results in the problem that the viscous liquid (specimen) cannot be introduced quickly into the preservation solution.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a lid member that can quickly introduce a specimen into the preservative liquid in the storage side space for a test liquid storage container in which the space within the container body is divided into an opening side space and a storage side space by a backflow prevention mechanism, and a specimen storage container having such a lid member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problem, the first invention is a lid member that is attached to a test liquid storage container having a container body with an inlet for introducing a specific sample, and a flow suppression mechanism that divides the space within the container body into an opening-side space facing the inlet and a communicating space that is connected to the opening-side space through a communicating port and that contains a preservation liquid for preserving the sample, and that suppresses the flow of the preservation liquid from the communicating space to the opening-side space, and that seals the inlet, the lid member having a sealing portion that seals the inlet when attached to the test liquid storage container, and a pressurizing mechanism that pressurizes a pressurized area in the opening-side space that includes at least the communicating port.

[0011] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a fourth invention is a specimen holding container for holding a predetermined specimen, comprising a lid member of the first invention described above or the second or third invention described below, and a test liquid holding container to which the lid member is attached, wherein the test liquid holding container comprises a container body having an inlet for introducing the specimen, and a flow suppression mechanism that divides the space within the container body into an opening-side space facing the inlet and a communicating space that is connected to the opening-side space through a communicating port and contains a preservation liquid for preserving the specimen, and suppresses the flow of the preservation liquid from the communicating space to the opening-side space, and the flow suppression mechanism allows the specimen to flow from the pressurized area to the communicating space by the pressurization mechanism of the lid member pressurizing a pressurized area in the opening-side space including at least the communicating port.

[0012] According to the first and fourth inventions, by introducing a sample into a pressurized area including at least a communication port in the opening side space of the test liquid storage container and then pressurizing the pressurized area using a pressure mechanism, the sample can be pushed into the communication space and quickly introduced into the preservation liquid.

[0013] In a second invention, in the first invention, it is preferable that the lid member further has a gripping portion provided on one side of the sealing portion so as to be gripped for attachment to the test liquid storage container, and the pressure mechanism is provided on the other end side of the sealing portion.

[0014] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cover member can be attached to the test liquid container by gripping the gripping portion, and the pressurizing mechanism can be housed within the container body when the cover member is attached to the test liquid container, thereby making it possible to make the entire container compact when the cover member is attached to the test liquid container.

[0015] A third invention is related to the first or second invention, wherein the lid member further has a threaded portion that screws into a threaded portion provided on the test liquid storage container to feed the lid member in a predetermined feed direction relative to the test liquid storage container, and the sealing portion has a contacting surface that contacts a contacted surface provided on the test liquid storage container as the lid member moves in the feed direction relative to the test liquid storage container due to the threaded engagement of the threaded portion with the threaded portion, and the pressure mechanism has an extension portion that extends from the threaded portion in the feed direction, and an enlarged diameter portion that extends from the extension portion around the entire circumference centered on a feed axis extending in the feed direction, radially outward of a circle centered on the feed axis, and that contacts an inner surface of a cylindrical portion provided on the test liquid storage container, and it is preferable that the distance from the contacting surface to the enlarged diameter portion is longer than the maximum feed distance in the feed direction defined by the threaded portion.

[0016] According to the third invention, the lid member can be attached to the test liquid storage container by threading the threaded portion into the screw portion. Furthermore, since the distance from the contact surface to the enlarged diameter portion is longer than the maximum feed distance, the enlarged diameter portion can be brought into close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion between the time when the threaded portion and the screw portion come into contact and when they are completely threaded together, allowing the enlarged diameter portion to function as a piston. Therefore, the movement of the lid member in the feed direction due to the threaded portion being threaded onto the screw portion can apply pressure to the inside of the cylindrical portion. The maximum feed distance is the distance in the feed direction from the start position of the threaded portion and the screw portion to the position where the threaded portion is completely threaded onto the screw portion.

[0017] A fifth invention is that, in the fourth invention, the pressurizing mechanism has an introduced portion extending from the sealing portion in a predetermined introduction direction so that the liquid is introduced into the container body through the introduction port when the lid member is attached to the test liquid storage container, and the flow suppression mechanism has an engaged portion that engages with the introduced portion so as to form the pressurized area between the introduced portion and the engaged portion, and when the introduced portion and the engaged portion are engaged, the introduced portion moves in the introduction direction, thereby pressurizing the pressurized area.

[0018] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a pressurized region can be formed between the introduced portion and the fitted portion by fitting the introduced portion and the fitted portion. Furthermore, when a specimen has been introduced into the pressurized region, the introduced portion can be fitted into the fitted portion and the introduced portion can be moved in the introduction direction to pressurize the pressurized region and force the specimen into the communicating space.

[0019] The sixth invention is the fifth invention, wherein the sealing portion has a contact surface that contacts a contact surface provided on the test liquid storage container to seal the inlet, and it is preferable that the shortest distance from the contact surface to the mating portion on the test liquid storage container is shorter than the longest distance from the contact surface on the lid member to the inlet portion.

[0020] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the shortest distance from the contact surface to the fitting portion is shorter than the longest distance from the contact surface to the introduction portion, the introduction portion can be fitted into the fitting portion before the contact surface comes into contact with the contact surface. In other words, the pressurized area can be pressurized before the introduction port is sealed. Therefore, the sample can be reliably pushed into the communication space.

[0021] A seventh invention is any one of the fourth to sixth inventions, wherein the test liquid storage container has a threaded portion, the lid member has a threaded portion that can be threaded with the threaded portion so that the lid member moves in the introduction direction, and it is preferable that the pressurized area is pressurized by the movement of the lid member in the introduction direction due to the threaded portion and the threaded portion engaging with each other.

[0022] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the cover member can be moved in the introduction direction by utilizing the screw portion and the thread portion for attaching the cover member to the test liquid storage container, thereby applying pressure to the pressurized region. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lid member that can quickly introduce a viscous liquid into a test liquid storage container in which the space within the container body is divided into an opening side space and a storage side space by a backflow prevention mechanism, and a specimen storage container having such a lid member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a specimen holding container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the cover member, where (a) shows a state in which the sealing member is attached, and (b) shows a state in which the sealing member is removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a test liquid container, where (a) is a front cross-sectional view, (b) is a plan view, and (c) is a bottom view. [Figure 4]Figure 4 is a front cross-sectional view for explaining how to use a specimen container, where (a) shows a specimen placed in the specimen container, (b) shows a part of the lid member inserted into the specimen container, and (c) shows the screw-on portion of the lid member screwed into the female thread portion of the specimen container. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of a specimen container according to the second embodiment, and shows a front cross-sectional view of a test liquid container. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view of a specimen container according to the third embodiment (a front cross-sectional view of a test liquid container), in which (a) shows the state where the lid member is removed, and (b) shows the state where the lid member is attached. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a front view of a specimen container according to the fourth embodiment (a front cross-sectional view of a test liquid container), in which (a) shows the state before the pressurized area is pressurized by the pressurizing mechanism, and (b) shows the state after the pressurized area is pressurized by the pressurizing mechanism. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a front view of a specimen container according to the fifth embodiment (a front cross-sectional view of a test liquid container), in which (a) shows the state before the pressurized area is pressurized by the pressurizing mechanism, and (b) shows the state after the pressurized area is pressurized by the pressurizing mechanism. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a front view of a specimen container according to the sixth embodiment (a front cross-sectional view of a test liquid container), in which (a) shows the state before the pressurized area is pressurized by the pressurizing mechanism, and (b) shows the state after the pressurized area is pressurized by the pressurizing mechanism. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view of a specimen storage container according to the seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] [First embodiment] A cover member according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a specimen storage container having the cover member will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] Fig. 1 is a front view of a specimen storage container 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a front view of the cover member 10, where (a) shows a state in which a sealing member 22 is attached, and (b) shows a state in which the sealing member 22 is removed. Fig. 3 is a view showing a test liquid storage container 30, where (a) is a front cross-sectional view, (b) is a plan view, and (c) is a bottom view.

[0027] 1 to 3, the specimen container 1 is for containing a predetermined specimen having a higher viscosity than pure water. The predetermined specimen includes body fluids including secretions and excretions. The body fluids include, for example, saliva, liquid feces, and urine. Specifically, the specimen container 1 includes a cover member 10 and a test liquid container 30 to which the cover member 10 is attached.

[0028] The test liquid container 30 includes a container body 31 having an inlet 30 a for introducing a specimen, and a flow suppression mechanism 37 provided within the container body 31 .

[0029] In the container body 31 of this embodiment, the space within the flattened outer peripheral wall 33 is partitioned by a pair of partition walls 34 extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the long side direction of the flat cross section, and the preservation solution K is contained in the space S2 between the partition walls 34, which is partitioned by the flow suppression mechanism 37 and the sealing film 41. The specific configuration will be described below.

[0030] The container body 31 according to this embodiment has a flat shape from the bottom side to the tip side. Specifically, the container body 31 includes an outer peripheral wall 33 that forms a flat outer peripheral surface having a generally rectangular cross section with rounded corners, a pair of partition walls 34 that extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the long side of the flat cross section of the outer peripheral wall 33, and a sealing film 41 attached to the bottoms of the outer peripheral wall 33 and the partition walls 34. The outer peripheral wall 33 and the partition walls 34, together with the top wall 35 and the flow suppression mechanism 37, are integrally molded from a light-transmitting synthetic resin.

[0031] The partition 34 divides the space within the outer peripheral wall 33 into three spaces S1, S2, and S3 aligned in the long side direction. The spaces S1 to S3 are each open on the bottom side, and these openings are closed by a sealing film 41. In this embodiment, the spaces S1 and S3 are also open on the tip side.

[0032] The sealing film 41 has an outer shape that is approximately the same as the outer shape of the flat cross section of the outer peripheral wall 33 (i.e., an approximately rectangular shape with rounded corners), and is attached by means of heat welding or the like to the outer peripheral wall 33 and the bottom surfaces of each partition wall 34. In this way, the sealing film 41 forms the bottom of the container body 31 so that the preservation solution K can be contained in the space S2.

[0033] The container body 31 further has a top wall 35 provided at the tip side of the space S2 (the upper end side in FIG. 3) and having an inlet 30a penetrating to the tip side. The top wall 35 has an inner region 35c that fits inside the outer peripheral wall 33, and a connection port 32 that protrudes from the inner region 35c toward the tip side. A female screw portion 35a (thread portion) is formed on the inner surface of the inlet 30a in the top wall 35.

[0034] The connection port 32 is cylindrical, stands on the inner region 35c so as to surround the inlet 30a, and is disposed substantially concentrically with the inlet 30a.

[0035] The flow suppression mechanism 37 divides the space S2 within the container body 31 into an opening-side space S21 facing the inlet 30a and a communicating space S22 that is connected to the opening-side space S21 through the communicating port 37d and that contains a preservation solution K for preserving the specimen. Furthermore, the flow suppression mechanism 37 suppresses the flow of the preservation solution K from the communicating space S22 to the opening-side space S21. The flow suppression mechanism 37 also allows the specimen P to flow from the pressurized region to the communicating space S22 when a pressurized region in the opening-side space S21, including at least the communicating port 37d, is pressurized by a pressurization mechanism 15 of the cover member 10, which will be described later.

[0036] Specifically, the flow suppression mechanism 37 is a cylindrical portion that extends from the top wall 35 toward the bottom, i.e., toward the sealing film 41 (downward in FIG. 3), and has an internal space that communicates with the inlet 30a. The flow suppression mechanism 37 is disposed substantially concentrically with the inlet 30a. Specifically, the flow suppression mechanism 37 includes: a mated portion 37a that mated with an introduced portion (pressurizing mechanism 15 in this embodiment) of the lid member 10 (described later) so as to form a pressurized region R1 (see FIG. 4(b)) between the introduced portion and the pressurizing mechanism 15; a tapered portion 37b having an inner diameter that decreases from the tip of the mated portion 37a toward the sealing film 41; and a tip portion 37c that has an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the mated portion 37a and extends from the tip of the tapered portion 37b toward the sealing film 41. The space inside the flow suppression mechanism 37 forms the opening-side space S21, and the space outside the flow suppression mechanism 37 forms the communication space S22. A communication port 37d that connects the opening-side space S21 and the communication space S22 is formed at the end of the tip portion 37c on the sealing film 41 side. The tip portion 37c narrows the opening area of ​​the inlet 30a as described above, thereby suppressing the flow of fluid between the opening-side space S21 and the communication space S22. The fitted portion 37a has a constant inner diameter and extends from the top wall 35 toward the sealing film 41.

[0037] The lid member 10 is attached to the test liquid container 30 and serves to seal the inlet 30a. The lid member 10 has a sealing part 11 that seals the inlet 30a when attached to the test liquid container 30, a gripping part 13 provided on one side of the sealing part 11 (the upper part in FIGS. 1 and 2), a pressurizing mechanism 15 provided on the other end side of the sealing part 11 (the lower part in FIG. 2), and a screwing part 14 provided between the gripping part 13 and the pressurizing mechanism 15.

[0038] The grip portion 13 is a portion that is gripped in order to attach the lid member 10 to the test liquid storage container 30. Specifically, the grip portion 13 is configured in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate, and both the front and back surfaces of the grip portion 13 are formed with uneven shapes (not shown) to prevent slipping.

[0039] The threaded portion 14 is threadedly engaged with a female threaded portion 35a provided on the test liquid storage container 30 in order to feed the lid member 10 in a predetermined feeding direction (downward in FIGS. 1 to 3) relative to the test liquid storage container 30. Specifically, the threaded portion 14 has a male threaded portion 14a that can be threadedly engaged with the female threaded portion 35a.

[0040] The sealing portion 11 has a contact surface 11a that contacts a contacted surface 31a provided on the test liquid storage container 30 when the lid member 10 moves in the feed direction (the direction toward the sealing film 41) relative to the test liquid storage container 30 as a result of threading of the threaded portion 14 into the female threaded portion 35a. Specifically, the sealing portion 11 has a sealing portion main body 12 extending from the gripping portion 13 to the threaded portion 14, and a sealing member 22 fitted into a groove 12a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the sealing portion main body 12. The groove 12a is a groove that extends around the entire circumference of the sealing portion main body 12, centered on an axis along the direction in which the sealing portion main body 12 extends from the gripping portion 13, and opens radially outward of a circle centered on the axis. The sealing member 22 is made of an elastic body having an annular planar shape and a circular cross-sectional shape, and an O-ring, for example, can be used. By introducing the groove portion 12a into the contact surface 31a (inlet 30a) of the test liquid storage container 30, the sealing member 22 is sandwiched between the outer circumferential surface of the sealing portion main body 12 and the contact surface 31a. That is, in this embodiment, the outer circumferential surface of the sealing member 22 constitutes the contact surface 11a, and the inner circumferential surface of the inlet 30a in the top wall 35 constitutes the contact surface 31a.

[0041] The pressurizing mechanism 15 is configured to apply pressure to a pressurized region R1 (see FIGS. 4(b) and 4(c)) in the opening-side space S21, the pressurizing mechanism 15 including at least the communication port 37d. The pressurizing mechanism 15 has an extending portion 16 extending from the threaded portion 14 in the feed direction, and an expanded diameter portion 17 extending from the extending portion 16 radially outward of a circle centered on the feed shaft 15a, extending in the feed direction, around the entire circumference centered on the feed shaft 15a, and in close contact with an inner circumferential surface 37e of a fitted portion 37a (tubular portion) provided in the test liquid storage container 30. As will be described later, when the lid member 10 moves in the feed direction relative to the test liquid storage container 30 with the expanded diameter portion 17 in close contact with the inner circumferential surface 37e of the fitted portion 37a, the pressurized region R1 in the opening-side space S21 is pressurized. The sealing portion 11, the gripping portion 13, the screwing portion 14, and the pressure mechanism 15 can be integrally molded from synthetic resin.

[0042] In the lid member 10, the distance Lz from the contact surface 11a to the enlarged diameter portion 17 is longer than the maximum feed distance in the feed direction defined by the screw engagement portion 14. In this embodiment, the distance Lz from the contact surface 11a to the enlarged diameter portion 17 is the distance from the apex of the outer circumferential surface of the sealing member 22 (the apex of the circular cross section) to the lower end of the enlarged diameter portion 17. Furthermore, the maximum feed distance in the feed direction defined by the screw engagement portion 14 is the distance in the feed direction that the lid member 10 moves from when the male thread portion 14a contacts the female thread portion 35a until the male thread portion 14a is completely screwed into the female thread portion 35a. In other words, the maximum feed distance in the feed direction defined by the screw engagement portion 14 is equal to the length in the feed direction of the region of the screw engagement portion 14 where the male thread portion 14a is provided, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0043] The pressurizing mechanism 15 extends in the introduction direction from the sealing portion 11 via the threaded portion 14 so as to be introduced into the space S2 of the container body 31 through the inlet 30a when the lid member 10 is attached to the test liquid container 30. That is, in this embodiment, the entire pressurizing mechanism 15 constitutes an introduced portion extending from the sealing portion 11 in a predetermined introduction direction (downward in FIG. 4 ) so as to be introduced into the space S2 of the container body 31 through the inlet 30a when the lid member 10 is attached to the test liquid container 30. When the introduced portion (pressurizing mechanism 15) is engaged with the engaged portion 37a of the flow suppression mechanism 37, the introduced portion (pressurizing mechanism 15) moves in the introduction direction (downward in FIG. 4 ), thereby pressurizing the pressurized region R1. Specifically, the pressurized region R1 is pressurized when the lid member 10 moves in the introduction direction due to the engagement of the threaded portion 14 (male threaded portion 14a) with the female threaded portion 35a. In this embodiment, the feeding direction and the introduction direction are the same.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, the shortest distance Lx from the contact surface 31a to the fitted portion 37a in the test liquid storage container 30 is shorter than the longest distance Ly from the contact surface 11a to the introduction portion (the extension portion 16 and the expanded diameter portion 17) in the lid member 10. In this embodiment, the shortest distance Lx is the distance from the start position 35b (upper end) of the female thread portion 35a in the top wall 35 to the start position (upper end) of the fitted portion 37a in the flow suppression mechanism 37. The longest distance Ly is the distance from the contact surface 11a (the vertex position of the circular cross section) of the sealing portion 11 in the lid member 10 to the tip end of the expanded diameter portion 17 (the lower end in FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the longest distance Ly is equal to the distance Lz from the contact surface 11a to the expanded diameter portion 17.

[0045] Next, a method of using the specimen container 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a front cross-sectional view for explaining a method of using the specimen container 1, in which (a) shows a state in which a specimen P is placed in the test liquid container 30, (b) shows a state in which a part of the cover member 10 is inserted into the test liquid container 30, and (c) shows a state in which the threaded portion 14 of the cover member 10 is threaded into the female threaded portion 35a of the test liquid container 30.

[0046] First, as shown in Figure 4(a), the user removes the cover member 10 from the test liquid storage container 30 in the specimen storage container 1, and introduces the specimen P containing a viscous liquid such as collected saliva into the opening-side space S21 of the specimen storage container 30 through the inlet 30a. The specimen can be introduced into the opening-side space S21 by, for example, dropping the specimen collected in another container from that container into the opening-side space S21 using a dropper or the like, or by dropping the specimen directly from inside the body into the opening-side space S21. The flow suppression mechanism 37 restricts the specimen P introduced into the opening-side space S21 from moving into the communicating space S22, and the specimen P remains in the opening-side space S21.

[0047] Next, as shown in Fig. 4(b), the enlarged diameter portion 17 and the extending portion 16 are introduced into the opening-side space S21 from the introduction port 30a, and the enlarged diameter portion 17 is moved in the feed direction (the introduction direction, downward in the figure). The enlarged diameter portion 17 is fitted into the fitted portion 37a, thereby forming a pressurized region R1 including the communication port 37d in the opening-side space S21.

[0048] 4(c), the cover member 10 is further moved in the feed direction by threading the threaded portion 14 (external thread portion 14a) of the cover member 10 into the internal thread portion 35a of the test liquid storage container 30. As a result, the inside of the pressurized region R1 is pressurized by the enlarged diameter portion 17, and the specimen P is forced from the pressurized region R1 into the communicating space S22, and the specimen P is introduced into the preservation solution K stored in the communicating space S22.

[0049] Furthermore, by further adhering the screwing portion 14 so that the contact surface 11a of the sealing portion 11 is brought into close contact with the contact surface 31a of the container body 31, the introduction port 30a is sealed by the lid member 10.

[0050] The specimen storage container 1, which contains the specimen P and is sealed, is transported to a testing facility, where the specimen P is tested. At the testing facility, for example, the specimen storage container 1 is held with the sealing film 41 facing upward, and a nozzle is introduced into the communication space S22 so as to break through the sealing film 41, and the specimen P is extracted through this nozzle. The extracted specimen P is analyzed by a predetermined analysis device.

[0051] According to the specimen container 1 and the lid member 10 of the above embodiment, the specimen P is introduced into a pressurized area including at least the communication port 37d in the opening side space S21 of the test liquid container 30, and then the pressure mechanism 15 applies pressure to the pressurized area, thereby forcing the specimen P into the communication space S22 and allowing it to be quickly introduced into the preservation liquid K.

[0052] Furthermore, with the cover member 10 according to the above embodiment, the cover member 10 can be attached to the test liquid storage container 30 by gripping the gripping portion 13, and the pressurizing mechanism 15 can be housed within the container body 31 when the cover member 10 is attached to the test liquid storage container 30. Therefore, when the cover member 10 is attached to the test liquid storage container 30, the entire specimen storage container 1 can be made compact.

[0053] According to the lid member 10 of the above embodiment, the lid member 10 can be attached to the test liquid storage container 30 by threading the threaded portion 14 into the female threaded portion 35a. Furthermore, since the distance Lz from the contact surface 11a to the enlarged diameter portion 17 is longer than the maximum feed distance in the feed direction defined by the threaded portion 14, the enlarged diameter portion 17 can be brought into close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the fitted portion 37a and function as a piston between the time when the threaded portion 14 contacts the female threaded portion 35a and the time when the threaded portion 14 is completely threaded with the female threaded portion 35a. Therefore, the movement of the lid member 10 in the feed direction due to the threaded engagement of the threaded portion 14 with the female threaded portion 35a can apply pressure to the inside of the fitted portion 37a. Note that, in the above embodiment, the maximum feed distance in the feed direction defined by the threaded portion 14 is the distance in the feed direction from the start position of the threaded engagement between the threaded portion 14 and the female threaded portion 35a to the position where the threaded portion 14 is completely threaded with the female threaded portion 35a.

[0054] According to the specimen storage container 1 of the above embodiment, the extension portion 16 and the expanded diameter portion 17, which are the introduced portion, are fitted with the fitted portion 37a, thereby forming a pressurized region R1 between the introduced portion and the fitted portion 37a. Furthermore, when the specimen P has been introduced into the pressurized region R1, the introduced portion can be moved in the introduction direction to pressurize the pressurized region R1, thereby forcing the specimen P into the communication space S22.

[0055] According to the specimen storage container 1 of the above embodiment, the shortest distance Lx from the contact surface 31a to the fitted portion 37a is shorter than the longest distance Ly from the contact surface 11a to the introduction portion, so the introduction portion can be fitted into the fitted portion 37a at a stage before the contact surface 11a comes into contact with the contact surface 31a. In other words, the pressurized region R1 can be pressurized before the introduction port 30a is sealed. Therefore, the specimen P can be reliably pushed into the communication space S22.

[0056] In the specimen storage container 1 according to the above embodiment, it is sufficient that the expanded diameter portion 17 is brought into close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the fitted portion 37a and pressurized inside the fitted portion 37a from the start of threading of the threaded portion 14 onto the female threaded portion 35a until the threaded portion 14 is completely threaded. Specifically, the length of the portion where the female threaded portion 35a is formed (which is equal to the shortest distance Lx from the contact surface 31a to the fitted portion 37a shown in FIG. 4(a) in the above embodiment) is longer than the distance La from the lower end of the male threaded portion 14a to the lower end of the expanded diameter portion 17 and is equal to or shorter than the distance Lb from the upper end of the male threaded portion 14a to the lower end of the expanded diameter portion 17 shown in FIG. 2(a).

[0057] According to the specimen container 1 of the above embodiment, the screw portion 14 and the female screw portion 35a for attaching the cover member 10 to the test liquid container 30 can be used to move the cover member 10 in the introduction direction to pressurize the pressurized region R1.

[0058] [Second embodiment] FIG. 5 is a front view of a specimen container 1 according to the second embodiment, and shows a front cross-sectional view of a test liquid container 30.

[0059] In the first embodiment, the sealing portion 11 of the lid member 10 has a sealing portion main body 12 and a sealing member 22 having higher elasticity than the sealing portion main body 12, but the sealing member 22 may be omitted. Specifically, the sealing portion 11 of the lid member 10 according to the second embodiment has a sealing portion main body 12 having an outer circumferential surface (contact surface) that can be brought into close contact with the contact surface 31a (the outer circumferential surface of the inlet 30a). Aside from the above points, the specimen storage container 1 according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the specimen storage container 1 according to the first embodiment. The sealing portion 11, gripping portion 13, screwing portion 14, and pressure mechanism 15 can be integrally molded from synthetic resin.

[0060] In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, by screwing the threaded portion 14 of the lid member 10 into the female threaded portion 35a of the test liquid storage container 30, the pressure-applied region R1 is pressurized by the pressure mechanism 15, and the sample P can be introduced into the communicating space S22.

[0061] [Third embodiment] Figure 6 is a front view of the specimen container 1 according to the third embodiment (a front cross-sectional view of the test liquid container 30), where (a) shows the state where the lid member 10 is removed, and (b) shows the state where the lid member 10 is attached.

[0062] The lid member 10 according to the third embodiment has a pressure mechanism 15A that also serves as the sealing portion 11, instead of the pressure mechanism 15 having the extension portion 16 and the enlarged diameter portion 17. In other words, the lid member 10 according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the lid member 10 according to the first embodiment, except that the pressure mechanism 15 of the first embodiment is omitted.

[0063] To introduce the specimen P into the preservation solution K using the pressurizing mechanism 15A, the cover member 10 is attached to the test liquid storage container 30 as follows. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6(a), with the specimen P introduced into the opening-side space S21, the male thread portion 14a of the threading portion 14 is introduced into the inlet 30a and threaded into the female thread portion 35a. During this threading process, the contact surface 11a of the sealing member 22 reaches the contacted surface 31a of the test liquid storage container 30. This seals the opening-side space S21. That is, a pressurized region R1 is formed by the engagement between the pressurizing mechanism 15A (introduced portion) and the top wall 35. If the screwing is continued from this state, the sealing member 22 moves further in the feed direction (downward in FIG. 6) by a feed distance D1, as shown in FIG. 6(b), thereby pressurizing the pressurized region R1. This introduces the specimen P into the preservation solution K.

[0064] [Fourth embodiment] Figure 7 is a front view of the specimen container 1 according to the fourth embodiment (a front cross-sectional view of the test liquid container 30), in which (a) shows the state before the pressurized region R1 is pressurized by the pressurizing mechanism 15B, and (b) shows the state after the pressurized region R1 has been pressurized by the pressurizing mechanism 15B.

[0065] The lid member 10 according to the fourth embodiment has a pressure mechanism 15B instead of the pressure mechanism 15 (extension portion 16 and enlarged diameter portion 17) according to the first embodiment.

[0066] The pressurizing mechanism 15B includes a pump portion 18 located on the opposite side of the grip portion 13 from the threaded portion 14, and a flow path 15b formed within the grip portion 13, the sealing portion 11, and the threaded portion 14 to connect the space within the pump portion 18 to an opening 15g in the threaded portion 14 that opens toward the opposite side of the grip portion 13. The pump portion 18 is a container that can expel air from its internal space when an external force is applied, while returning to a shape that can store a predetermined amount of air when the external force is released. The internal space of the pump portion 18 is connected to the opening 15g through the flow path 15b. Therefore, air within the pump portion 18 is discharged through the opening 15g when the pump portion 18 is compressed, and air is stored within the internal space of the pump portion 18 when the pump portion 18 is released from the external force. The pump portion 18 may have a bellows-like shape that can store air, as shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), for example. The specimen container 1 according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the specimen container 1 according to the first embodiment except for the above points.

[0067] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7( a), the lid member 10 is attached to the test liquid storage container 30 with air stored in the pump portion 18. In this attached state, it is sufficient that the tip of the threaded portion 14 is inserted into the inlet 30a; it does not matter whether the threaded portion 14 (external threaded portion 14a) and the internal threaded portion 35a are threadedly engaged, or whether the contact surface 11a of the sealing portion 11 is in close contact with the contacted surface 31a of the container body 31. By compressing the pump portion 18 in this attached state, the pressurized region R1, which includes at least the communication port 37d in the opening-side space S21, can be pressurized. To more efficiently pressurize the pressurized region R1, it is preferable to reduce the opening area of ​​the inlet 30a in the attached state. From this perspective, it is preferable that the threaded portion 14 and the internal threaded portion 35a are threadedly engaged, and similarly, it is preferable that the contact surface 11a be in close contact with the contacted surface 31a. When the pressurized region R1 is pressurized, the specimen P is introduced into the preservation solution K.

[0068] [Fifth embodiment] Figure 8 is a front view of the specimen container 1 according to the fifth embodiment (a front cross-sectional view of the test liquid container 30), in which (a) shows the state before the pressurized region R1 is pressurized by the pressurizing mechanism 15C, and (b) shows the state after the pressurized region R1 has been pressurized by the pressurizing mechanism 15C.

[0069] The lid member 10 according to the fifth embodiment has a pressure mechanism 15C instead of the pressure mechanism 15 (extension portion 16 and enlarged diameter portion 17) according to the first embodiment.

[0070] The pressure mechanism 15C has a passage 15c formed in the grip portion 13, the sealing portion 11, and the screw portion 14, and an operated member 19 that can be pushed into or pulled out of the passage 15c. The passage 15c is formed in the grip portion 13 and the screw portion 14 so as to connect an opening 15h that opens in the grip portion 13 toward the opposite side from the screw portion 14 to an opening 15i that opens in the screw portion 14 toward the opposite side from the grip portion 13. The operated member 19 has a sliding portion 19a that is inserted into the passage 15c in a state that allows it to slide in both directions of the introduction direction (up and down in FIG. 8) relative to the inner circumferential surface of the passage 15c, and an operating portion 19b that is provided at the end of the sliding portion 19a opposite the grip portion 13. By applying a force to the operating part 19b toward the gripping part 13, the sliding part 19a can be pushed deeper into the passage 15c, thereby allowing air in the passage 15c to be discharged through the opening 15i. On the other hand, by applying a force to the operating part 19b in a direction away from the gripping part 13, the sliding part 19a can be pulled out of the passage 15c, thereby allowing air to be introduced into the passage 15c through the opening 15i. Note that the cover member 10 has an engaged part 10a that engages with the operating part 19b so as to restrict movement of the operating part 19b in the pulling direction relative to the gripping part 13 when the sliding part 19a is pushed all the way into the passage 15c. Apart from the above, the specimen storage container 1 according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the specimen storage container 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0071] 8(a), the cover member 10 is attached to the test liquid storage container 30 with air introduced into the passage 15c by operating the operating part 19b in the pulling direction. Note that in this attached state, it is sufficient that the tip of the threaded part 14 is introduced into the inlet 30a, and it does not matter whether the threaded part 14 (male threaded part 14a) and the female threaded part 35a are threaded together or whether the contact surface 11a of the sealing part 11 is in contact with the contacted surface 31a of the container body 31. Then, by operating the operating part 19b in the pushing direction in the attached state, the sliding part 19a draws the air from the passage 15c into the opening-side space S21, and as a result, it is possible to pressurize the pressurized region R1 in the opening-side space S21, which includes at least the communication port 37d. In order to pressurize the pressurized region R1 more efficiently, it is preferable to reduce the opening area of ​​the inlet 30a in the attached state, and from this viewpoint, it is preferable that the threaded portion 14 and the female threaded portion 35a are threadedly engaged, and similarly, it is preferable that the contact surface 11a is in close contact with the contacted surface 31a. When the pressurized region R1 is pressurized, the specimen P is introduced into the preservation solution K. In this state, by engaging the operating portion 19b with the engaged portion 10a, it is possible to maintain the state in which air is pushed out from the passage 15c.

[0072] [Sixth embodiment] Figure 9 is a front view of the specimen container 1 according to the sixth embodiment (a front cross-sectional view of the test liquid container 30), in which (a) shows the state before the pressurized region R1 is pressurized by the pressurizing mechanism 15D, and (b) shows the state after the pressurized region R1 has been pressurized by the pressurizing mechanism 15D.

[0073] The lid member 10 according to the sixth embodiment has a pressure mechanism 15D instead of the pressure mechanism 15 (extension portion 16 and enlarged diameter portion 17) according to the first embodiment.

[0074] The pressurizing mechanism 15D has a storage chamber 13a formed in the gripping portion 13, an extension portion 10b extending from the threaded portion 14 toward the sealing film 41 (bottom), and a passage 15k connecting the storage chamber 13a to an opening 15j in the extension portion 10b that opens toward the sealing film 41. The gripping portion 13 is made of an elastic material that causes the storage chamber 13a to contract when an external force is applied, and to return to its original state when the external force is released, allowing a predetermined volume of air to be introduced into the storage chamber 13a through the opening 15j. Apart from the above, the specimen storage container 1 according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the specimen storage container 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0075] In this embodiment, the specimen P is held in the extension portion 10b and the storage chamber 13a by contacting the opening 15j of the extension portion 10b with the specimen P while the gripping portion 13 is crushed to compress the storage chamber 13a, and then releasing the gripping portion 13 from the external force. The lid member 10 holding the specimen P is then attached to the test liquid storage container 30. While FIG. 9(a) shows a state in which the threaded portion 14 is completely threaded into the female threaded portion 35a, in this attached state, it is sufficient that the extension portion 10b is inserted into the inlet 30a. It does not matter whether the threaded portion 14 (male threaded portion 14a) is threaded into the female threaded portion 35a or whether the contact surface 11a of the sealing portion 11 is in contact with the contacted surface 31a of the container body 31. Then, by applying an external force to the gripping portion 13 to crush the storage chamber 13a, the specimen P can be introduced into the pressurized region R1 and the pressurized region R1 can be pressurized. In order to pressurize the pressurized region R1 more efficiently, it is preferable to reduce the opening area of ​​the inlet 30a in the mounted state. From this viewpoint, it is preferable that the threaded portion 14 and the female threaded portion 35a are threaded together, and similarly, it is preferable that the contact surface 11a is in close contact with the contacted surface 31a.

[0076] Although the method of compressing the gripping portion 13 while the specimen P is held in the storage chamber 13a and pressurizing the pressurized region R1 while guiding the specimen P into the pressurized region R1 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this method. As in the above-described embodiment, the specimen P can be introduced into the opening-side space S21 in advance, and the air in the storage chamber 13a can be introduced into the pressurized region R1 and pressurize the pressurized region R1 by compressing the gripping portion 13 with the cover member 10 attached to the test liquid storage container 30.

[0077] Furthermore, the cover member 10 according to the sixth embodiment can be used to pressurize the pressurized region R1 as follows. Specifically, the specimen P can be introduced into the opening-side space S21 in advance, and the cover member 10 can be attached to the test liquid storage container 30. The pressure-applied region R1 can be pressurized by heating the gripping portion 13 to expand the gas in the storage chamber 13a. The gripping portion 13 can be heated by human body heat or by using a heater attached to the outside or the cover member 10. When the pressure-applied region R1 is pressurized by heating the gripping portion 13, the gripping portion 13 does not need to be made of an elastically deformable material, and is preferably made of a material with high thermal conductivity. Furthermore, when the pressure-applied region R1 is pressurized by heating the gripping portion 13, the extension portion 10b can be omitted, and the passage 15k can be opened at the end of the screw portion 14 facing the sealing film 41.

[0078] [Seventh embodiment] FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view of a specimen holding container 1 according to the seventh embodiment.

[0079] The specimen storage container 1 according to the seventh embodiment has an introduced portion and a mated portion having a different configuration from the introduced portion (extension portion 16 and enlarged diameter portion 17) and mated portion (matted portion 37a of flow suppression mechanism 37) according to the first embodiment.

[0080] The flow suppression mechanism 42 according to this embodiment has a first cylindrical portion 42a extending from the threaded portion 14 toward the sealing film 41 (bottom side), a second cylindrical portion 42b (fitted portion) provided inside the first cylindrical portion 42a, and a connecting portion 42c connecting the ends of the first cylindrical portion 42a and the second cylindrical portion 42b toward the sealing film 41. The connecting portion 42c has a communication opening 42d that communicates with the inner space of the second cylindrical portion 42b.

[0081] On the other hand, the lid member 10 according to the seventh embodiment has an introduction portion 10f extending in the introduction direction (downward in FIG. 10) from the sealing portion 11 via the threaded portion 14 so as to be introduced into the container body 31 through the introduction port 30a. The introduction portion 10f is introduced into the first cylindrical portion 42a and fits into the second cylindrical portion 42b from the outside. The introduction portion 10f and the second cylindrical portion 42b fit together to form a pressurized region R1 in the opening-side space S21. The introduction portion 10f and the second cylindrical portion 42b fit together until the threaded portion 14 and the female thread portion 35a are completely threaded together, and in this fitted state, the lid member 10 moves in the introduction direction. As a result, the pressurized region R1 is pressurized, and the sample P placed in the opening-side space S21, indicated by the imaginary line (chain double-dashed line), moves into the communicating space S22, indicated by the solid line. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1. Specimen container 10 Cover member 10a Engaged part 10b Extension part 10f Introduced part 11 Sealing part 11a Contact surface 12 Sealing body 12a Groove 13 Grip part 13a Containment Room 14 Threaded joint 14a Male thread (threaded part) 15, 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D pressure mechanism 15a Feed shaft 15b Flow path 15c aisle 15g opening 15h opening 15i aperture 15j opening 15k aisle 16 Extending part (introduced part) 17 Expanded diameter part (introduced part) 18 Pump section 19 Operated member 19a Sliding part 19b Operation section 22 Sealing member 30 Test solution container 30a entrance 31 Container body 31a Surface to be adhered to 32 connection ports 33 Outer wall 34 Bulkhead 35 Ceiling wall 35a Female thread (threaded part) 35b Starting point of female thread 35c inner area 37 Flow suppression mechanism 37a Mated part (cylindrical part) 37b Tapered section 37c Tip 37d communication port 37e Inner surface of mating part 38 Introduced part 41 Sealing film 42 Flow suppression mechanism 42a 1st cylinder part 42b Second cylindrical part (mated part) 42c connection 42d communication port D1 Feed distance K preservation solution La: Distance from the bottom end of the male thread to the bottom end of the enlarged diameter section Lb Distance from the top of the male thread to the bottom of the enlarged diameter section Lx: The shortest distance from the contact surface of the test liquid container to the mating part Ly: The longest distance from the contact surface of the lid member to the insertion part Lz Distance from the contact surface to the expanded diameter part P specimen R1 Pressurized area S1 Space S2 Space S21 Opening side space S22 Connecting Space S3 space

Claims

1. a container body having an inlet for introducing a predetermined specimen; and a flow suppression mechanism that divides the space inside the container body into an open space facing the inlet and a communicating space connected to the open space through a communicating port and for containing a preservation liquid for preserving the specimen, and that suppresses the flow of the preservation liquid from the communicating space to the open space, the lid member being attached to a test liquid storage container and used to seal the inlet, a sealing portion that seals the inlet when attached to the test liquid storage container; a pressurizing mechanism for applying pressure to a pressurized area in the opening-side space, the pressurized area including at least the communication port.

2. the cover member further includes a grip portion provided on one side of the sealing portion so as to be gripped for attachment to the test liquid storage container, The cover member according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure mechanism is provided on the other end side of the sealing portion.

3. the lid member further has a threaded portion that is threadedly engaged with a threaded portion provided on the test liquid container so as to feed the lid member in a predetermined feed direction relative to the test liquid container; the sealing portion has a contact surface that comes into close contact with a contact surface provided on the test liquid storage container when the lid member moves in the feed direction relative to the test liquid storage container by screwing the screw portion into the thread portion, the pressurizing mechanism includes an extension portion extending from the screw portion in the feed direction, and an expanded diameter portion extending from the extension portion to the outside in a radial direction of a circle centered on a feed shaft extending in the feed direction, over the entire circumference centered on the feed shaft, and in close contact with an inner circumferential surface of a cylindrical portion provided in the test liquid storage container; The lid member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a distance from the contact surface to the enlarged diameter portion is longer than a maximum feed distance in the feed direction defined by the threaded portion.

4. A specimen container for containing a predetermined specimen, The cover member according to claim 1; a test liquid container to which the lid member is attached, The test liquid container comprises: a container body having an inlet for introducing the sample; a flow suppression mechanism that divides the space within the container body into an opening-side space facing the inlet and a communication space that is connected to the opening-side space through a communication port and that contains a preservation solution for preserving the specimen, and that suppresses the flow of the preservation solution from the communication space to the opening-side space, The flow suppression mechanism allows the flow of the specimen from the pressurized area to the communicating space by pressurizing the pressurized area in the opening side space, including at least the communicating port, using the pressurizing mechanism of the lid member.

5. the pressurizing mechanism has an introduction portion extending from the sealing portion in a predetermined introduction direction so that the lid member is introduced into the container body through the introduction port when the lid member is attached to the test liquid storage container, the flow suppression mechanism has a fitted portion that fits with the introduced portion so as to form the pressurized region between the introduced portion and the fitted portion; The specimen storage container according to claim 4 , wherein the pressurized region is pressurized by moving the introduction portion in the introduction direction while the introduction portion and the engagement portion are engaged with each other.

6. the sealing portion has a contact surface that comes into close contact with a contact target surface provided on the test liquid storage container in order to seal the inlet, The specimen container according to claim 5 , wherein a shortest distance from the contact surface to the fitting portion of the test liquid container is shorter than a longest distance from the contact surface to the introduction portion of the cover member.

7. the test liquid container has a threaded portion, the lid member has a threaded portion that can be threadably engaged with the threaded portion so that the lid member moves in the introduction direction, 7. The specimen storage container according to claim 4, wherein the pressure-applied region is pressurized by movement of the cover member in the introduction direction due to threaded engagement between the screw portion and the threaded portion.

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