Sample collection container

Abstract

The present invention provides a sample collection container that effectively prevents leakage of the contents contained within the container body. [Solution] A sample collection container comprising a lid having a lid portion for sealing the container and a sample collection rod, a container body having a storage portion for storing a sample preservation solution and an opening for inserting the sample collection rod into the storage portion, wherein a pin-stopping portion having a reentrant structure is provided continuously or discontinuously along the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the container body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a specimen collection container for collecting a specimen with a specimen collection stick during specimen examination.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various forms of specimen collection containers have been proposed as specimen collection containers for collecting specimens during specimen examinations such as fecal examinations (stool tests). Most of them have a lid having a specimen collection stick provided with a specimen collection part such as a spiral groove at the tip, and a container body filled with a preservation solution or the like and accommodating the collected specimen.

[0003] In this type of specimen collection container, when collecting a specimen, the lid is removed, the specimen collection part is brought into contact with the specimen, and then the specimen collection stick is inserted into the container body through the insertion port of the specimen collection container body and covered, so that the collected specimen is accommodated.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When a specimen preservation solution for preserving the collected specimen or the collected liquid specimen is accommodated inside the specimen collection container, such liquid contents are liable to leak to the outside of the container compared to solids when the lid is removed, for example, when collecting a specimen. Due to the problem of contamination of the contents, leakage of the contents must be avoided as much as possible.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a specimen collection container capable of suitably preventing leakage of the contents accommodated in the container body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention is a sample collection container comprising a lid having a lid portion for sealing the container and a sample collection rod, a container body having a storage portion for storing a sample preservation solution and an opening for inserting the sample collection rod into the storage portion, wherein a pin-stopping portion having a reentrant structure is provided continuously or discontinuously along the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the container body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sample collection container that effectively prevents leakage of the contents contained within the container body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic front view showing a sample collection container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a schematic of a specimen collection container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged cross-section of a part of a specimen collection container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the pinning effect. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram showing how a liquid flows in a sample collection container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged cross-section of a part of a specimen collection container according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged cross-section of a part of a specimen collection container according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged cross-section of a part of a specimen collection container according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]This is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic, enlarged view of a portion of the cross-section of a mold used for injection molding the sample collection container shown in Figure 8. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged cross-section of a part of a specimen collection container according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a sample collection container 1 according to an example embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a sample collection container 1 according to an example embodiment. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged cross-section of a part of the sample collection container 1 according to an example embodiment, showing an enlarged view of the portion enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 2.

[0012] The specimen collection container 1 of this embodiment is for collecting specimens during specimen testing such as fecal examinations, and comprises a lid 2 and a container body 3. In the illustrated example, the lid 2 and the container body 3 are molded in a cylindrical shape, but their shape is not particularly limited as long as they are configured to have the functions described below. They may be molded in an oval-shaped tubular form, or in an elliptical or polygonal tubular form. These components constituting the sample collection container 1 can be manufactured, for example, by injection molding using thermoplastic resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 2, the lid 2 has a lid portion 21 for sealing the container and a specimen collection rod 22. A specimen collection portion 22a is provided on the tip side of the specimen collection rod 22. To collect a specimen with the specimen collection rod 22, the lid 2 is removed from the container body 3, the specimen collection rod 22 is brought into contact with the specimen, and the specimen is collected by the specimen collection portion 22a. After collecting the specimen, the lid 2 is attached to the container body 3 again, and the specimen collection rod 22 is returned inside the container body 3.

[0014] As the specimen collection portion 22a provided on the tip side of the specimen collection rod 22, for example, when the specimen is feces, as shown in Fig. 2, it is preferable to provide a plurality of axially symmetric grooves that intersect the longitudinal direction and surround the tip side of the specimen collection rod 22 as an example, but it is not limited to this as long as the specimen can be reliably collected. For example, it is also possible to provide a spiral groove engraved in a spiral shape. In addition, one or more concave portions or through holes of various shapes may be provided. Also, the specimen collection portion 22a can be configured as a fibrous material. Since the properties of the specimen are various such as solid and liquid, existing means can be appropriately selected to collect specimens of various properties.

[0015] The lid 2 is preferably integrally formed with the lid portion 21 and the specimen collection rod 22 by injection molding, but they may be formed separately. The specific configuration of the lid 2 is not particularly limited as long as the container can be sealed by the lid portion 21 and the specimen collection rod 22 has sufficient strength not to interfere with specimen collection.

[0016] In the illustrated example, the lid 2 of the container 1 is configured to be attached to the container body 3 by a screwing operation by screwing the screw portions provided on the lid 2 and the container body 3, respectively. However, the means for attaching the lid 2 to the container body 3 is not limited to such a screwing operation.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the container body 3 is formed in a hollow shape, and at one end side of the hollow portion 30 of the container body 3, there is a storage portion 31 for storing the contents such as the specimen storage solution for storing the specimen and the collected specimen. Further, at the other end of the hollow portion 30, an opening 32 for inserting the specimen collection rod 22 into the container body 3 is formed.

[0018] The opening 32 of the container body 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the specimen collection rod 22 so that the specimen collection rod 22 can be inserted while guiding it inside the container body 3.

[0019] In the illustrated example, the end portion of the container body 3 on the side where the storage portion 31 is provided is open for taking out the collected specimen, and an extraction cap 4 is attached to the end portion. In the illustrated example, the extraction cap 4 is formed so as to be attached to the container body 3 by a screwing operation by screwing the screw portions provided on the extraction cap 4 and the container body 3 respectively. However, the means for attaching the extraction cap 4 to the container body 3 is not limited to such a screwing operation.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the container body 3 of the present embodiment is provided with a pinning portion 33 having a reentrant structure continuously or discontinuously along the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the container body 3.

[0021] Here, the reentrant structure in the present invention refers to a shape in which the tip portion 33a, located radially inward from the base end side, i.e., the inner wall 3a side of the container body 3, is expanded. In particular, in the present invention, a reentrant structure is provided on the side opposite to the storage portion 31 where the contents should be contained (the side where leakage of the contents is a concern), such as by creating an inclined surface or bending the tip portion 33a, so that the tip portion 33a is expanded relative to the base end side. In a pinning portion 33 having such a reentrant structure, the liquid surface of the liquid contents that have advanced from the storage portion 31 side to the pinning portion 33 effectively exhibits a pinning effect, where the liquid surface of the liquid contents that have come into contact with the structure (in the illustrated example, the inner circumferential surface of the tip portion 33a of the pinning portion 33) catches on the leading edge in the direction of advancement, making it difficult for the contents to move over that point. At a gas-liquid interface where the pinning effect is occurring, no movement of the interface occurs unless there is a predetermined pressure difference. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the pinning effect. To explain the pinning effect more specifically using Figure 4, the pinning effect is the phenomenon in which, when the liquid surface of a liquid contents traveling along a plane at a contact angle θ reaches the edge of the leading edge in the direction of travel, the liquid surface is unable to overcome the edge until the contact angle becomes θ + (π - α), where α is the angle of the corner forming the edge of the leading edge in the direction of travel. Here, the angle α of the corner forming the edge of the leading edge in the direction of travel refers to the angle between the inner circumferential surface of the tip portion 33a of the pinning portion 33 and the surface connected to that inner circumferential surface and extending radially outward.

[0022] In order to effectively exert the pinning effect, the tip portion 33a of the pinning portion 33 should be configured such that the angle α of the corner forming the edge at the tip edge in the direction of travel in which the contents contained in the storage portion 31 move toward the opening 32 is preferably less than 180°, but more preferably 90° or less.

[0023] In this invention, by providing a pin-stopping portion 33 having a reentrant structure along the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the container body 3 in this manner, it is made difficult for liquids such as specimen preservation solution contained inside the storage portion 31 to flow over the pin-stopping portion 33 to the side opposite the storage portion 31. By providing such a pinning portion 33 on the inner surface of the container body 3, near the boundary between the storage portion 31 and the hollow portion 30 on the opening 32 side, it is possible to effectively prevent liquid contents such as the sample preservation solution or collected sample contained in the storage portion 31 from leaking out to the opening 32 side.

[0024] In the example shown in Figure 3, the pinning portion 33 of the container body 3 protrudes from the inner wall 3a of the container body 3 so as to extend radially inward approximately perpendicularly, and has a bent tip portion 33a that protrudes toward the direction away from the storage portion 31. In cross-sectional view, it is formed so that a horizontally L-shaped projection protrudes from the inner wall 3a. The pinning portion 33 in the example shown in Figure 3 is formed in such a way that the tip portion 33a is extended toward the base end. In the example shown in Figure 3, this shape is used to effectively prevent the liquid contents that have advanced from the storage portion 31 to the pinning portion 33 from overflowing the pinning portion 33 and leaking out toward the opening 32.

[0025] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing how liquid flows in the container body 3 of the sample collection container 1 of this embodiment shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 5, the container body 3 of the sample collection container 1 of this embodiment shown in Figure 3 is particularly preferable because it has a tip portion 33a that is bent so that the tip side protrudes away from the containment portion 31, thereby providing two edges of the pinning portion 33 that the liquid contents that have advanced from the containment portion 31 to the pinning portion 33 must overcome before leaking out to the opening 32.

[0026] The pinning portion 33 may be provided continuously or discontinuously along the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the container body 3. When the pinning portion 33 is provided discontinuously along the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the container body 3, it is sufficient that it is arranged in a way that the desired water repellency can be obtained, and it is not limited to any particular configuration. However, when the pinning portion 33 is provided discontinuously along the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the container body 3, it is preferable that the pinning portion 33 be arranged in pairs at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the container body 3, because this effectively suppresses leakage of liquid contents that have advanced from the storage portion 31 to the pinning portion 33 to the opening 32.

[0027] In the illustrated example, the pinning portion 33 is provided in one location in a certain region in the axial direction, that is, in the axial direction of the storage portion 31, but it may be provided in multiple locations in the axial direction of the container body 3. By providing multiple pinning portions 33 in the axial direction of the container body 3, a wider area can be provided inside the container body 3 to make it difficult for liquid contents to cross the boundary of the storage portion 31, thereby more effectively preventing leakage of liquid contents from the storage portion 31.

[0028] The pinning portion 33 of the container body 3 may include a leveling portion 34 through which the sample collection rod 22, particularly the sample collection portion 22a, is inserted. In the illustrated example, the inner circumferential surface of the tip portion 33a of the pinning portion 33, facing the sample collection rod 22, functions as the leveling portion 34.

[0029] The leveling portion 34 is formed such that the sample collection rod 22 is in liquid-tight contact with the surface facing the sample collection rod 22, and excess sample (e.g., feces) is removed as the sample collection rod 22 slides along the inner surface of the leveling portion 34. For example, the leveling portion 34 can be formed in a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the sample collection rod 22. Alternatively, if the sample collection portion 22a is made of a flexible material, or if the leveling portion 34 is made of a flexible material, the leveling portion 34 can be formed in a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the sample collection rod 22. This allows a certain amount of the sample collected by the sample collection portion 22a to be stored in the storage portion 31 of the container body 3.

[0030] [Second Embodiment] Next, a sample collection container 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 6 is an enlarged explanatory diagram showing a cross-section of a part of the sample collection container 1 according to an example of this embodiment, and shows the same part as the part of the sample collection container 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Figure 3.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, the container body 3 of the sample collection container 1 according to the second embodiment further has a guide portion 35 that protrudes from the inner surface of the container body 3 and is provided so as to decrease in diameter from the opening 32 side toward the storage portion 31 side.

[0032] The guide portion 35 is positioned on the opening 32 side relative to the pinning portion 33. Having such a guide portion 35 guides the insertion of the sample collection rod 22, making it possible for the tip of the sample collection rod 22 to easily pass through the pinning portion 33 and be housed in the housing portion 31.

[0033] Furthermore, the guide portion 35 may include a leveling portion 34 through which the sample collection rod 22, particularly the sample collection portion 22a, is inserted. In the illustrated example, the inner circumferential surface of the tip of the guide portion 35 facing the sample collection rod 22 functions as the leveling portion 34. If the tip of the guide portion 35 includes a leveling portion 34, its tip can be inserted through the tip of the sample collection rod 22, easily pass through the pinning portion 33 and guide to the storage portion 31, and its inner diameter should be appropriately designed so that the sample collection rod 22 is in liquid-tight contact with the surface facing the sample collection rod 22, and excess sample (e.g., feces) is removed as the sample collection rod 22 slides along the inner surface of the leveling portion 34.

[0034] In the illustrated example, the guide portion 35 is formed separately from the container body 3 and is configured to be provided on the container body 3. However, the guide portion 35 may be formed integrally with the container body 3 if possible depending on its shape and molding method. An embodiment in which the guide portion 35 is formed integrally with the container body 3 will be described in the embodiments described later.

[0035] This embodiment differs from the embodiment described above in the points mentioned above, but other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment described above, so redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0036] [Third Embodiment] Next, a sample collection container 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 7 is an enlarged explanatory diagram showing a cross-section of a part of the sample collection container 1 according to an example of this embodiment, and shows the same part as the part of the sample collection container 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Figure 3.

[0037] As shown in Figure 7, the container body 3 of the sample collection container 1 according to the third embodiment has a pin-fastening portion 33 that includes a leveling portion 34 and a guide portion 35.

[0038] In this embodiment, the pinning portion 33 of the container body 3 protrudes perpendicularly from the inner wall 3a of the container body 3 in the radial direction, and has a tip portion 33a formed so that the tip side protrudes toward the opening 32 side. Furthermore, the tip portion 33a of the pinning portion 33 in this embodiment is formed to protrude toward the opening 32 side, and then the tip side expands in diameter toward the inner wall 3a of the container body 3, and is provided to contract in diameter toward the storage portion 31 side from the opening 32 side of the container body 3. In this embodiment, the portion of the pinning portion 33 that is provided so as to decrease in diameter from the opening 32 side toward the housing portion 31 side functions as a guide portion 35. Furthermore, in this embodiment, similar to the pinning portion 33 in the first embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the tip portion 33a of the pinning portion 33 that faces the sample collection rod 22 functions as a leveling portion 34. According to this embodiment, by having such a shape, the tip portion 33a expands relative to the base end and includes a reentrant structure in which the tip portion 33a is folded back toward the base end, and the container body 3 is equipped with a pin-fastening portion 33 that combines the functions of a scraping portion 34 and a guide portion 35.

[0039] This embodiment differs from the embodiment described above in the points mentioned above, but other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment described above, so redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0040] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, a sample collection container 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 8 is an enlarged explanatory diagram showing a cross-section of a part of the sample collection container 1 according to an example of this embodiment, and shows the same part as the part of the sample collection container 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Figure 3.

[0041] As shown in Figure 8, the container body 3 of the sample collection container 1 according to the fourth embodiment has a guide portion 35 that is spirally arranged in the axial direction on its inner surface.

[0042] More specifically, the guide portion 35 of the container body 3 in this embodiment is formed to protrude from its inner surface in an internal thread shape. The surface of the internal thread facing the opening 32 is provided to decrease in diameter from the opening 32 side toward the storage portion 31 side, so that the tip of the sample collection rod 22 can easily pass through the pinning portion 33 and the leveling portion 34 and be guided to the storage portion 31. The height of the thread formed by the guide portion 35 in this embodiment is not particularly limited, as long as it is formed so that the sample collection rod 22 can pass through the space of the inner diameter portion formed by the internal thread and the tip of the sample collection rod 22 can be guided to the storage portion 31. For example, it can be configured so that a space slightly larger than the outer diameter of the sample collection rod 22 is formed when viewed in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the guide portion 35 is positioned on the opening 32 side relative to the pinning portion 33. In the illustrated example, the guide portion 35 of this embodiment is formed so that the spirally arranged screw threads are arranged in two rows in the illustrated cross-section. However, the guide portion 35 may be formed so that the spirally arranged screw threads are arranged in only one row in the vertical cross-section, or it may be formed so that there are three or more rows.

[0043] With the guide portion 35 arranged spirally in the axial direction, it becomes possible to integrally mold the pin-fastening portion 33 and the guide portion 35 to the container body 3. Figure 9 is a magnified longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a portion of the mold used for injection molding the sample collection container shown in Figure 8. In other words, when injection molding the container body 3, the container body 3 can be injection molded using a mold that includes a first core mold 100 that molds the guide portion 35 and the opening 32 side on the inner surface of the container body 3, sandwiching the pinning portion 33; a second core mold 200 that molds the housing portion 31 side on the inner surface of the container body 3, sandwiching the pinning portion 33; and a cavity mold 300 that molds the outer surface of the container body 3. To release the molded container body 3 from the mold, the cavity mold 300 is opened, and then the container body 3 is released from the first core mold 100 and the second core mold 200. Here, when releasing the container body 3 from the first core mold, when the first core mold 100 is pulled out in the axial direction of the container body 3, the external thread-shaped portion 100a that forms the part corresponding to the guide portion 35 of the first core mold 100 may become an undercut. However, by rotating the first core mold 100 in the direction of unscrewing the screw and pulling it out from the guide portion 35 of the molded container body 3, it becomes possible to separate the container body 3 from the first core mold 100.

[0044] This embodiment differs from the embodiment described above in the points mentioned above, but other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment described above, so redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0045] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[0046] For example, the shape of the pinning portion 33 is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the pinning portion 33 may have a reentrant structure in which the tip expands relative to the base end on the inner wall 3a side of the container body 3 in cross-section, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the structure decreases from the tip portion 33a toward the base end. Furthermore, if the structure has a cross-sectional area that decreases from the tip portion 33a toward the base end, it may be formed to protrude from the inner wall 3a of the container body 3 so that the cross-section is approximately rectangular.

[0047] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, examples were given of a configuration in which the leveling portion 34 is formed on the tip side of the pinning portion 33 of the container body 3, and a configuration in which the leveling portion 34 is formed on the tip side of the guide portion 35. However, the pinning portion 33, the leveling portion 34, and the guide portion 35 may each be formed as separate parts. In this case, it is preferable that the pinning portion 33 and the leveling portion 34 be positioned on the end side of the guide portion 35 opposite to the opening 32. Also, the shape of the leveling portion 34 in this case is not particularly limited as long as it is a shape that can perform the function described in the embodiments described above.

[0048] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment explained an example in which the pin-fastening portion 33 is formed integrally with the container body 3, the pin-fastening portion 33 may be formed separately from the container body 3, similar to the guide portion 35. In this case, the shape of the pin-fastening portion 33 is not limited by the molding method of the container body 3, and various shapes are possible.

[0049] Furthermore, the internal structure of the container body 3 can be appropriately configured depending on the intended use of the sample collection container 1. For example, the interior of the containment section 31 and the opening 32 may be constructed separately from the exterior surface of the container body 3. It is also preferable to make the extraction cap 4 side of the containment section 31 easy to remove for testing the contained sample. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Sample collection container 2 Lid 21 Lid 22 Sample collection stick 3. Container body 31 Storage Unit 32 openings 33 Pin fastening part 34. Leveling section 35 Information Department 4 Extraction cap

Claims

1. A lid having a lid portion for sealing the container and a sample collection rod, A container body having a storage section for containing a sample preservation solution and an opening for inserting the sample collection rod into the storage section. A specimen collection container equipped with, A sample collection container characterized in that a pin-fastening portion having a reentrant structure is provided continuously or discontinuously along the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the container body.

2. The specimen collection container according to claim 1, wherein the container body has a guide portion provided so as to decrease in diameter from the opening side of the container body toward the storage portion side.

3. The sample collection container according to claim 2, wherein the guide portion is positioned on the opening side with respect to the pinning portion.

4. The specimen collection container according to claim 2, wherein the pinning portion includes the guide portion.

5. The sample collection container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pinning portion includes a slit portion through which the tip of the sample collection rod is inserted.

6. The specimen collection container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pinning portion is provided at multiple locations in the axial direction of the housing portion.

7. The sample collection container according to claim 2, wherein the guide portion is provided in a spiral shape in the axial direction.

8. The specimen collection container according to claim 2, wherein the pinning portion and / or the guide portion are formed separately from the container body.

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