Simple testing equipment

Abstract

To provide a testing instrument which, when testing for the presence or absence of pollutants and bacteria on environmental surfaces, only requires the user to bring a testing tool and a writing implement to the site of specimen collection, reduces the cumbersome work of recording the date and time of collection, the place of collection, test results, etc. at the site, and eliminates human errors during recording. [Solution] A simple testing tool in the form of a sealed bag made of a transparent, flexible resin material, in which a cotton swab storage section 20 for storing a cotton swab 22 and a medicinal solution storage section 30 for storing a medicinal solution 32 are formed, and the cotton swab storage section and the medicinal solution storage section are separated and isolated from each other by a temporary adhesive section 26 that is bonded to the extent that the bonding surfaces can be peeled off by pushing the cotton ball section 24 at the tip of the cotton swab toward the medicinal solution storage section, and a write tag section 34 is attached to the end of the medicinal solution storage section and on which information about the sample can be written.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a testing tool used to test for the presence or absence of contaminants such as proteins remaining on the surfaces of machines and equipment in food manufacturing factories, etc., and for the presence or absence of bacteria such as coliform bacteria remaining on the surfaces of toilet doorknobs, staircase handrails, refrigerator handles, etc. in various facilities, and in particular to a simple testing tool that allows for easy collection of samples at the site to be tested and easy testing. [Background technology]

[0002] In establishments that handle food and beverages, such as food manufacturing factories, high levels of hygiene control are required, so the machines and equipment used in the establishment are thoroughly cleaned and then inspected to see if any contaminants such as proteins remain on the surfaces of the machines and equipment. As a testing tool for easily performing such tests, a testing tool has been proposed which comprises a test container in which two rectangular transparent flexible films are stacked and the inner surfaces of their peripheral edges are glued together to form a sealed bag, the upper end of the bag is peelably glued so that a cotton swab for collecting a sample can be inserted and removed, the inside of the bag is partitioned and isolated into a cotton swab storage section for storing the cotton swab and a reagent liquid storage section for storing a reagent liquid, and the cotton swab storage section and the reagent liquid storage section are glued together to such an extent that the bonding surfaces of the two films can be peeled off by pushing the cotton ball part at the tip of the cotton swab toward the reagent liquid storage section or by pressing the bag surface of the reagent liquid storage section with a fingertip to increase the pressure inside the bag, and the cotton swab is sealed in the cotton swab storage section at the top of the test container, and the reagent liquid storage section at the bottom of the test container is filled with a reagent liquid that reacts with contaminants to produce a color and is then sealed. To test for the presence or absence of contaminants such as proteins using this test tool, first peel off the top of the test container to remove the swab from the swab housing, and then wipe the surface of the object being tested, such as a machine or instrument, with the cotton ball at the tip of the swab to collect a sample. Next, the swab containing the sample is inserted into the swab housing through the top of the test container, and the cotton ball at the tip of the swab is pushed toward the reagent liquid housing or pressed against the surface of the reagent liquid housing with a fingertip to increase the pressure inside the bag. This causes the bonding surfaces of the temporary adhesive separating the swab housing and the reagent liquid housing to peel apart, immersing the cotton ball with the sample in the reagent liquid housing. If contaminants are present in the sample, the reagent liquid reacts with the contaminants, causing a color change in the reagent liquid. The presence or absence of contaminants can be determined by observing this color change in the reagent liquid (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] When testing for the presence or absence of bacteria such as coliform bacteria using a test tool with a similar configuration to the above-described test tool, a culture medium is contained in the reagent solution container (culture medium container) instead of a reagent solution. To test for the presence or absence of bacteria such as coliform bacteria, the cotton ball of a cotton swab removed from the swab container of the test container is used to wipe the surface of a test object, such as a toilet doorknob or a staircase handrail, to collect a sample. The cotton swab with the sample is then returned to the swab container, and the top end of the test container is folded and taped to close the swab container. In this state, the test tool is brought back to the testing room, and the cotton ball at the tip of the cotton swab is pushed toward the reagent solution container to separate the adhesive surfaces separating the swab container and the reagent solution container. The cotton ball of the cotton swab with the sample attached is then immersed in the culture medium in the culture medium container, and the incubation procedure is performed, for example, at 35°C for 24 hours. After the culturing operation, the presence or absence of bacteria in the sample is determined by observing whether the sample has changed color. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3792444 (pages 2-3, Figures 1 and 2) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When testing for the presence or absence of contaminants or bacteria using the above-mentioned conventional testing tools, at the site where a sample is collected using a cotton swab, for example, a sample indicator such as a number or letters is attached to the testing tool with an oil-based pen or the like, and information such as the date and time and location of sample collection is written in association with the sample indicator on a separately prepared record sheet, or the information such as the date and location of sample collection is entered in association with the sample indicator into a portable laptop or tablet. Then, after the test results are obtained, the test results are written in association with the sample indicator on the record sheet or the data is entered into the laptop or the like. In this case, when testing for the presence or absence of bacteria, the writing of the test results on the record sheet and the data entry of the test results into the laptop or the like are carried out in a testing room away from the site where the sample is collected.

[0006] In tests using conventional test tools, it is necessary to bring to the site, in addition to the test tool, a form or laptop computer for recording information such as the date and time and location of sample collection. Furthermore, while collecting a sample using the cotton swab of the test tool, information such as the date and location of collection must be recorded on a recording form or laptop computer in association with the sample label attached to the test tool. Furthermore, when testing for the presence or absence of contaminants such as proteins, the test results must also be recorded in accordance with the sample label on the test tool. This makes on-site work cumbersome and increases the possibility of human error during on-site recording. Furthermore, when testing for the presence or absence of bacteria, the test results are recorded in a laboratory away from the sample collection site, increasing the possibility of human error during recording.

[0007] This invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a testing device that only requires the user to bring testing equipment and writing implements to the sample collection site, which reduces the complexity of recording information such as the date and location of collection and test results at the site, and also reduces the possibility of human error when recording. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In this device, as a means for achieving the above object, a writing area on which information about the sample can be written is added to a conventional testing tool and connected to it as an integral part. That is, the device according to claim 1 is a simple testing tool comprising a sealed bag-shaped package made of a transparent and flexible resin material, the package comprising: a swab storage section having an opening at one end for inserting and removing a swab for collecting a sample and storing the swab inside; and a liquid medicine storage section formed adjacent to the other end of the swab storage section and storing an amount of liquid medicine necessary for one test inside; the swab storage section and the liquid medicine storage section are separated and isolated from each other by a temporary adhesive that bonds the surfaces together to such an extent that they peel off when the cotton ball at the tip of the swab is pushed toward the liquid medicine storage section or when the surface of the liquid medicine storage section is pressed with a fingertip to increase the pressure inside the bag; and the device is characterized in that a writing tag is formed adjacent to the end of the liquid medicine storage section on which information about the sample, such as the sample label, test item, sample collection date and location, and test results, can be written.

[0009] The device of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the simple testing tool described in claim 1, a perforation is formed at the connecting part between the liquid medicine storage section and the write tag section so that the write tag section can be separated from the liquid medicine storage section.

[0010] The device of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the simple testing tool described in claim 1 or claim 2, the liquid medicine contained in the liquid medicine container is a culture medium for culturing a specimen collected with a cotton swab, and the presence or absence of bacteria in the specimen is detected by the presence or absence of discoloration exhibited by the specimen cultured in the culture medium.

[0011] The device of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the simple testing tool of claim 1 or claim 2, the liquid medicine contained in the liquid medicine container is a reagent that exhibits a color reaction with the sample collected by the cotton swab, and the presence or absence of contaminants in the sample is detected based on the presence or absence of coloration exhibited by the sample.

[0012] The device of claim 5 is characterized in that, in the simple testing tool described in claim 4, the reagent consists of two types of solution, and the chemical solution storage section is composed of two solution storage sections that are separated from each other by another temporary adhesive section that is bonded to the extent that the bonding surfaces can be peeled off by pressing the cotton ball part of the tip of the cotton swab or pressing the bag surface of the chemical solution storage section with a fingertip.

[0013] The device according to claim 6 is a simple testing tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the temporary adhesive portion is made of a means for bonding the joining surfaces together by thermocompression. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] When testing for the presence or absence of contaminants or bacteria using the simple testing tool of claim 1, a cotton swab is removed from the swab storage compartment of the package at the site where the sample is collected, a sample is collected using the swab, and the swab is returned to the swab storage compartment of the package. Then, information about the sample collection, such as the sample label, test items, and the date and time and location of sample collection, is written with a writing implement on a writing tag that forms part of the package. Then, in testing for bacteria, the test tool is taken back to the testing room, and the presence or absence of bacteria is determined. The test results are then written on the writing tag, which also contains the sample label, test items, date and time and location of sample collection. In testing for contaminants, the presence or absence of contaminants is determined at the site where the sample is collected. The test results are then written on the writing tag, which also contains the sample label, test items, date and time and location of sample collection. Therefore, by using the simple testing tool of this invention, it is only necessary to bring a writing instrument to the sample collection site, which reduces the complexity of recording information such as the date and location of collection and test results at the site, and also prevents human error when recording.

[0015] In the simple testing tool of the invention according to claim 2, the write-in tag portion can be easily separated from the drug solution storage portion of the package by a perforation without using scissors, etc. The separated write-in tag portion can be used to organize collected test data, etc.

[0016] In the simple testing tool of the invention of claim 3, after collecting a sample on-site, the testing tool is brought back to the testing room, and the cotton ball at the tip of the cotton swab is pushed toward the chemical solution (culture medium) container to separate the bonding surfaces of the temporary adhesive separating the cotton swab container and the chemical solution container.The cotton ball of the cotton swab with the sample attached is immersed in the culture medium in the chemical solution container to perform a culture operation, and the presence or absence of bacteria in the sample is determined by observing whether the sample changes color.

[0017] In the simple testing tool of the invention according to claim 4, after collecting a sample at the site, the cotton ball at the tip of the cotton swab is pushed toward the chemical solution (reagent) storage section to separate the bonding surfaces of the temporary adhesive separating the cotton swab storage section from the chemical solution storage section, and the cotton ball of the cotton swab with the sample attached is immersed in the reagent in the chemical solution storage section, and the presence or absence of contaminants in the sample is determined by observing whether the sample exhibits color or not.

[0018] In the testing device of the invention of claim 5, the bonding surfaces of another temporary adhesive part separating the two solution storage parts are peeled off by, for example, pushing in the cotton ball part at the tip of the cotton swab, and the two types of solutions stored in the two solution storage parts are mixed.The cotton ball part of the cotton swab with the sample attached is then immersed in the mixed solution, and the presence or absence of coloration of the sample is observed to determine the presence or absence of contaminants in the sample.

[0019] In the testing device of the invention according to claim 6, the bonding surfaces of the thermocompressed temporary adhesive portion can be easily separated by, for example, pushing the cotton ball portion at the tip of the cotton swab toward the liquid medicine container portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of the appearance of a simple testing tool showing one example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a front view of the appearance of a simple testing tool showing another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a front view of the appearance of a simple testing tool showing still another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The best mode for carrying out the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The simple testing tool according to this invention comprises a sealed bag-shaped package 10 as shown in Figure 1. This package 10 is formed by overlapping two transparent, flexible, rectangular resin films 12 and 14 and thermally bonding their peripheral edges.

[0022] The upper side of the package 10 is formed with a swab storage section 20 surrounded by a peripheral adhesive section 16, an upper end adhesive section 18, and a temporary adhesive section 26 (described later). A specimen-collecting swab 22 having a cotton ball section 24 at its tip is sealed and stored in this swab storage section 20. The swab storage section 20 can be opened by pulling the upper ends of the two resin films 12, 14 in opposite directions to peel off the bonded surface of the upper end adhesive section 18, and the opened upper end serves as an entrance for inserting and removing the swab 22.

[0023] Adjacent to the lower end of swab containing section 20 is formed a liquid medicine containing section 30 surrounded by peripheral adhesive section 16, temporary adhesive section 26, and lower end adhesive section 28. An amount of liquid medicine 32 required for one test is sealed and contained within this liquid medicine containing section 30. Swab containing section 20 and liquid medicine containing section 30 are separated and isolated from each other by temporary adhesive section 26. Temporary adhesive section 26 is lightly bonded, for example, by thermocompression, to such an extent that the bonding surfaces of resin films 12, 14 peel off when cotton ball section 24 at the tip of swab 22 is pressed toward liquid medicine containing section 30.

[0024] A writing tag section 34 is formed adjacent to the lower end of the drug solution storage section 30. The writing tag section 34 is formed by applying paint to the outer surface of the front-side resin film 12 or to the outer surfaces of the front and back resin films 12, 14, so that letters and numbers can be written on it with a writing implement such as a pencil or ballpoint pen. Items to be written on the writing tag section 34 include a specimen label for identifying the specimen using numbers or letters (No. 1, No. 2, ...; 1a, 2a, ..., 1b, 2b, ..., etc.), test items to be tested for the collected specimen such as coliform bacteria and protein, information about the specimen collection such as the date and location of specimen collection and the name of the specimen collector, and test results such as whether coliform bacteria are positive or negative and whether protein is present or absent. At the upper end of the writing tag portion 34, which is the connecting portion between the liquid medicine storage portion 30 and the writing tag portion 34, a perforation 36 is formed so that the writing tag portion 34 can be separated from the liquid medicine storage portion 30. Note that even if the perforation 36 is not formed, the writing tag portion 34 can be separated from the liquid medicine storage portion 30 using scissors or the like.

[0025] In the above-described simple testing tool, if the liquid medicine storage section 30 is configured to be filled with a culture medium (liquid culture medium), it is possible to test for bacteria in a specimen. For example, when testing for coliform bacteria, a chromogenic enzyme substrate culture medium is filled into the liquid medicine storage section 30 as the culture medium. Then, testing for coliform bacteria using this simple testing tool is carried out as follows.

[0026] First, the upper ends of the two resin films 12, 14 forming the package 10 are pulled in opposite directions to peel off the bonded surface of the upper end adhesive portion 18, and the package is opened. A cotton swab 22 is removed from the swab storage compartment 20 through the opened upper end. After the cotton ball portion 24 of the removed cotton swab 22 is used to wipe the surface of a test object, such as a toilet doorknob or a staircase handrail, to collect a sample, the cotton swab 22 with the sample collected is returned to the original swab storage compartment 20, and the upper end of the package 10 is folded and taped to close the opening of the swab storage compartment 20. The worker who collected the sample then writes information about the sample collection, such as the sample identifier, test item, and the date and time and location of the sample collection, on the writing tag portion 34 using a writing instrument such as a pencil or ballpoint pen. In this state, the test tool is brought back to the testing room, and the cotton ball 24 at the tip of the cotton swab 22 is pushed toward the liquid medicine container 30, thereby separating the bonded surfaces of the temporary adhesive 26 separating the swab container 20 and the liquid medicine container 30. The cotton ball 24 with the specimen attached is then immersed in the culture medium in the liquid medicine container 30. The package 10 is then placed upright in an incubator and incubated, for example, at 35°C ± 1°C for 24 hours. After incubation, the specimen in the package 10 is observed for discoloration. If no color change is observed in the specimen, it is determined to be negative for coliform bacteria, and if the specimen turns blue, it is determined to be positive for coliform bacteria. Alternatively, a positive result for E. coli can be determined when the specimen fluoresces under ultraviolet light irradiation (black light irradiation with a wavelength of approximately 366 nm).

[0027] Once the evaluation is complete, the evaluation result is written on the write-in tag portion 34 of the package 10. Then, the write-in tag portion 34 is cut off from the drug solution storage portion 30 along the perforations 36. The cut-off write-in tag portion 34 is then used to organize the collected test data, and the remaining portion of the package 10 containing the used swab 22, specimen, and culture medium is disposed of as waste.

[0028] Furthermore, in the above-described simple testing tool, if the liquid container 30 is filled with a reagent that reacts with contaminants to develop a color, it is possible to test for contaminants in a sample. For example, when testing for proteins, about 1 ml of an aqueous solution containing Cervus Blue G or Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 is filled into the liquid container 30 as a reagent. Then, testing for proteins using this simple testing tool is performed as follows.

[0029] First, as described above, the top adhesive portion 18 of the package 10 is opened and the swab 22 is removed from the swab housing portion 20. The bud portion 24 of the removed swab 22 is used to wipe the surface of a test object, such as a machine or instrument, to collect a sample. The swab 22 is then returned to the swab housing portion 20. Next, the bud portion 24 at the tip of the swab 22 is pushed toward the liquid medicine housing portion 30, separating the bonded surfaces of the temporary adhesive portion 26 that separates the swab housing portion 20 from the liquid medicine housing portion 30. The bud portion 24 with the sample attached is then immersed in the reagent in the liquid medicine housing portion 30. If protein is present in the sample, the reagent and the protein will react after a short time, for example, within two minutes if an aqueous solution containing cervix blue-zey is used as the reagent, causing the reagent to change color from brown to blue. The presence or absence of protein in the sample is determined by observing whether or not this color change occurs. The worker who collected and tested the specimen then writes, with a writing implement, information about the specimen collection, such as the specimen label, test items, specimen collection date and time, and specimen collection location, as well as the result of the test, on the writing tag portion 34. The writing tag portion 34 is then detached from the medicinal solution container 30 along the perforations 36. The detached writing tag portion 34 is then taken back to the business site and used for organizing the collected test data, etc. Meanwhile, the remaining portion of the package 10 containing the used swab 22, specimen, and reagent is disposed of as waste.

[0030] In the simple testing tool shown in Figure 2, the swab storage section 20 of the packaging body 38 and the liquid medicine storage section 40 containing a culture medium or reagent liquid medicine 42 are separated and isolated from each other by a temporary adhesive section 44 that adheres the resin films 12, 14 to such an extent that the bonded surfaces of the resin films 12, 14 peel off when the surface of the liquid medicine storage section 40 is pressed with a fingertip to increase the pressure inside the bag. In this packaging body 38, after collecting a specimen, the swab 22 is returned to the swab storage section 20, and the surface of the liquid medicine storage section 40 is pressed with a fingertip to peel off the bonded surfaces of the resin films 12, 14 at the temporary adhesive section 44, so that the cotton ball section 24 at the tip of the swab 22 to which the specimen is attached is immersed in the culture medium or reagent in the liquid medicine storage section 40. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the testing tool shown in Figure 1.

[0031] In the simple testing tool shown in Figure 3, the reagent contained in the medicinal solution storage section 48 of the package 46 is prepared by mixing two types of solution, and the upper reagent storage section 50 containing the first reagent 52 and the lower reagent storage section 54 containing the second reagent 56 are separated and isolated from each other by another temporary adhesive section 58 that is bonded to the extent that the bonding surfaces can be peeled off when the cotton ball section 24 at the tip of the cotton swab 22 is pressed in or when the fingertip is pressed against the bag surface of the medicinal solution storage section 48. In this package 46, after the cotton swab 22 has been collected, it is returned to the swab storage section 20, and then the cotton ball 24 at the tip of the cotton swab 22 is pushed from the temporary adhesive section 26, past the other temporary adhesive section 58, into the lower reagent storage section 54. Alternatively, the surface of the bag in the lower reagent storage section 54 is pressed with a fingertip to separate the bonded surfaces of the resin films 12, 14 at the other temporary adhesive section 58, thereby mixing the first reagent 52 and the second reagent 56. Then, the cotton ball 24 at the tip of the cotton swab 22 is pushed into the chemical solution storage section 48, so that the cotton ball 24 at the tip of the cotton swab 22, to which the sample has been attached, is immersed in the mixed reagent in the chemical solution storage section 48. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the testing tool shown in FIG. 1. [Industrial Applicability]

[0032] This invention is used in the industrial field for manufacturing test tools for easily testing the presence or absence of residual contaminants or bacteria adhering to environmental surfaces. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 10, 38, 46 packaging 12, 14 Resin film 16 Periphery 18 Upper end adhesive part 20 Swab storage compartment 22 cotton swabs 24 Cotton ball part of cotton swab 26, 44 Temporary adhesive part 28 Lower end adhesive part 30, 40, 48 Chemical solution storage section 32, 42 Chemical solution 34 Write tag section 36 perforations 50 Upper reagent storage section 52 First Reagent 54 Lower reagent storage section 56 Second Reagent 58 Another temporary adhesive

Claims

1. A sealed bag-shaped package made of a transparent and flexible resin material, a swab storage section having an entrance at one end for inserting and removing a swab for collecting a sample and storing the swab therein; a liquid medicine container formed adjacent to the other end of the swab container and containing an amount of liquid medicine required for one test; Equipped with In a simple testing tool in which the cotton swab containing section and the liquid medicine containing section are partitioned and isolated from each other by a temporary adhesive section that is bonded to such an extent that the bonding surfaces can be peeled off by pushing the cotton ball section at the tip of the cotton swab toward the liquid medicine containing section or by pressing the bag surface of the liquid medicine containing section with a fingertip to increase the pressure inside the bag, A simple testing device characterized in that a write-in tag section is formed connected to the end of the chemical solution storage section and used to write information about the sample, such as the sample label, test items, sample collection date and time, sample collection location, and test results.

2. 2. The simple testing tool according to claim 1, wherein a perforation is formed at a connecting portion between the liquid medicine container and the write-on tag portion so that the write-on tag portion can be separated from the liquid medicine container portion.

3. 3. A simple testing device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the liquid medicine contained in the liquid medicine container is a culture medium for culturing a specimen collected by a cotton swab, and the presence or absence of bacteria in the specimen is detected by the presence or absence of discoloration exhibited by the specimen cultured in the culture medium.

4. 3. A simple testing tool as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the liquid medicine contained in the liquid medicine container is a reagent that undergoes a color reaction with a sample collected by a cotton swab, and the presence or absence of contaminants in the sample is detected based on the presence or absence of coloration exhibited by the sample.

5. 5. The simple testing tool according to claim 4, wherein the reagent comprises two types of solution, and the liquid medicine storage section comprises two solution storage sections separated from each other by another temporary adhesive section that is bonded to such an extent that the bonding surfaces can be peeled off when the cotton ball at the tip of the cotton swab is pressed in or when the bag surface of the liquid medicine storage section is pressed with a fingertip.

6. 6. The simple testing tool according to claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the temporary adhesive portion are bonded together by thermocompression bonding.

Images