Vaccination Device

Abstract

To provide a vaccination device that allows a vaccination needle to be replaced easily.SOLUTION: A vaccination device includes a piercing needle 2, a vaccination needle 3, an upper plate 91 including a plate hole 911, and an upper fixing part 4 for fixing the vaccination needle 3 to the plate hole 911. The upper fixing part 4 moves between the vaccination needle fixing position, which is the position where the vaccination needle 3 is fixed to the plate hole 911, and the vaccination needle open position, which is the position that is rotated from the vaccination needle fixing position by a predetermined angle around the rotation axis. The upper fixing part 4 includes a fixed piece 43 below the upper plate 91. The fixed piece 43 has a shape that it does not pass through the plate hole 911 when the upper fixing part 4 is at the vaccination needle fixing position, and passes through the plate hole 911 when the upper fixing part 4 is at the vaccination needle open position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vaccination device, and more particularly to a vaccination device that allows easy sterilization of a vaccination needle. [Background technology]

[0002] In addition to eggs for eating, such as chicken eggs, there are also eggs for producing chicks. These eggs are called "hatching eggs." Chicks will hatch when hatching eggs are warmed for a set number of days in a specified environment at the appropriate temperature. In hatcheries that mass-produce chicks, the production process is managed so that hatching eggs obtained over a certain period of time will all hatch at the same time on a set date.

[0003] Inside the hatching egg, embryo development progresses from the time of spawning. If the hatching egg is kept in an environment that suppresses cell division of the embryo, it stops growing and goes into hibernation. Therefore, when a predetermined number of dormant eggs have been accumulated, they can be placed on a setter tray and pre-heated, allowing a predetermined number of eggs to grow at the same rate. Specifically, the eggs are kept in an environment pre-heated to a temperature of about 38°C, and the eggs enter the incubation process. Approximately 21 days after the start of the incubation process, the eggs hatch.

[0004] On the 18th or 19th day after the start of the incubation process, the eggs are transferred from the setter tray to the hatcher tray in preparation for hatching. During this process, the eggs are checked for viability. As a result of the check, unfertilized eggs and eggs in which the embryo development has stopped are deemed defective and are discarded. On the other hand, eggs that are deemed acceptable are vaccinated against infectious diseases.

[0005] Patent Document 1 and others disclose devices for treating eggs, such as vaccinating or injecting eggs. The device in Patent Document 1 includes a treatment station arranged to subject eggs to treatment, and a holder arranged to hold eggs in a predetermined orientation so that the treatment station can subject the eggs to treatment. During vaccination, the device lifts eggs from an egg box by means of the holder and places the eggs in a concave recess in a plate provided above the holder. The device then lowers a needle of an injection device through the concave recess in the plate to puncture and vaccinate the eggs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2015-513917 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in Patent Document 1, it was not easy to sterilize the needle of the injection device. In Patent Document 1, when sterilizing the needle of the injection device, it was necessary to remove the needle from the main body of the device and sterilize it. In particular, from the viewpoint of preventing infectious diseases, it is desirable to sterilize the needle of the injection device every time an inoculation is performed. However, in Patent Document 1, if one tries to sterilize the needle of the injection device every time an inoculation is performed, it is necessary to remove the needle from the main body of the device, sterilize it, and then reattach the needle to the main body of the device.

[0008] Therefore, a configuration may be considered in which the vaccination needle and the perforation needle for perforating the egg are separate, and the vaccination needle is disposed inside the perforation needle. With this configuration, the vaccination needle can be easily disinfected by circulating a disinfectant inside the perforation needle. However, the configuration in which the vaccination needle is disposed inside the perforation needle has a problem in that it is not easy to replace the vaccination needle.

[0009] The present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a vaccination device that allows easy replacement of vaccination needles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A vaccination device according to one aspect of the present invention is a vaccination device for vaccinating eggs, the vaccination device comprising: a perforation needle for perforating an egg, the perforation needle having a disinfectant flowing therethrough; an inoculation needle that is inserted into the perforation needle from its base end to inoculate the inside of the egg with a vaccine; a base-end plate including a base-end plate hole; and a base-end fixing part for fixing the inoculation needle to the base-end plate hole, the base-end fixing part moving between an inoculation needle fixing position, which is a position when the inoculation needle is fixed to the base-end plate hole, and an inoculation needle release position, which is a position rotated a predetermined angle around the rotation axis from the inoculation needle fixing position, the base-end fixing part including an inoculation needle fixing piece located on the tip side of the base-end plate, the inoculation needle fixing piece having a shape that does not pass through the base-end plate hole when the base-end fixing part is in the inoculation needle fixing position, and a shape that passes through the base-end plate hole when the base-end fixing part is in the inoculation needle release position.

[0011] Preferably, the above-mentioned vaccination device further comprises a tip plate which is provided further distal than the base plate and includes a tip plate hole, and a tip fixing part which fixes the perforation needle to the tip plate hole, the tip fixing part moving between a perforation needle fixing position which is a position when the perforation needle is fixed to the tip plate hole, and a perforation needle release position which is a position rotated a predetermined angle around the rotation axis from the perforation needle fixing position, the tip fixing part including a perforation needle fixing piece which is located further distal than the tip plate, the perforation needle fixing piece having a shape which does not pass through the tip plate hole when the tip fixing part is in the perforation needle fixing position, and a shape which passes through the tip plate hole when the tip fixing part is in the perforation needle release position.

[0012] In the above vaccination device, the perforation needle fixing piece preferably has a shape that allows it to pass through the base end plate hole.

[0013] Preferably, the vaccination device further comprises a protective tube fixed to the base end fixing portion, the vaccination needle being provided inside the protective tube, and the protective tube having a shape that passes through the base end plate hole.

[0014] Preferably, the above vaccination device further comprises a bearing fixed to the tip fixing portion and sliding against the outer circumferential surface of the protective tube, the bearing having a shape that passes through the base plate hole.

[0015] In the vaccination device, preferably, each of the vaccination needle fixing piece and the perforation needle fixing piece has an outer shape comprised of at least one arc and at least one straight line when viewed from the rotation axis direction.

[0016] Preferably, the above-mentioned vaccination device further comprises a disinfectant connector attached to the base end fixing part, which is connected to a supply tube for supplying disinfectant into the inside of the piercing needle, and a vaccine connector attached to the base end fixing part, which is connected to a supply tube for supplying a vaccine into the inside of the vaccination needle.

[0017] Preferably, the above vaccination device further comprises a fixed plate including a retaining hole and an egg lifter that lifts an egg and presses it against the retaining hole, and the perforation needle is lowered through the retaining hole to perforate the egg pressed against the retaining hole. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, a vaccination device that allows easy replacement of vaccination needles can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a vaccination device 1 in one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the configuration of the tray TR. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vaccination unit 1a. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a first state of operation of the vaccination device 1 in one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a second state of operation of the vaccination device 1 in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a third state of operation of the vaccination device 1 in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth state of operation of the vaccination device 1 in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a fifth state of operation of the vaccination device 1 in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first step of a method for removing a perforation needle 2 and an inoculation needle 3 in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positions of each component constituting the vaccination unit 1a in the state shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second step of the method for removing the perforation needle 2 and the inoculation needle 3 in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows the positions of each component constituting the vaccination unit 1a in the state shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a third step of the method for removing the perforation needle 2 and the inoculation needle 3 in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a fourth step of the method for removing the perforation needle 2 and the inoculation needle 3 in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a fifth step of the method for removing the perforation needle 2 and the inoculation needle 3 in one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] [Configuration of vaccination device]

[0022] First, the configuration of the vaccination device in this embodiment will be described.

[0023] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a vaccination device 1 in one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a top view showing the configuration of a tray TR. In Fig. 2, a place ST is indicated by a dotted line.

[0024] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a tray TR has a plurality of locations ST for holding a plurality of eggs, each of which is arranged at equal intervals in the horizontal direction. A plurality of eggs E are arranged in at least some of the locations ST. Each of the plurality of eggs E is a hatching egg on the 18th or 19th day after the start of the incubation process, and has been determined to be passable as a result of a viability test. Meanwhile, among the plurality of locations ST, a location ST where an egg E is not arranged (the location ST at the left end of the three locations ST in Figure 1) is a location where an egg (not shown) that has been determined to be unsatisfactory as a result of a viability test has been arranged. The eggs determined to be unsatisfactory are removed from the tray TR before the tray TR is transported inside the vaccination device 1.

[0025] Each of the multiple locations ST on the tray TR is formed with a passage hole p for passing the egg lifter 94. The passage hole p is provided with six claws hk protruding inward, and these claws hk hold the eggs E from below. Each of the multiple eggs E is placed on the tray TR with, for example, the blunt end e1 on top and the sharp end e2 on the bottom. Each of the multiple eggs E may also be placed on the tray TR with the blunt end e1 on the bottom and the sharp end e2 on top.

[0026] The vaccination device 1 (an example of a vaccination device) is for vaccinating each of a plurality of eggs E arranged on a tray TR. The vaccination device 1 is equipped with a plurality of vaccination units 1a. The plurality of vaccination units 1a are provided in the same number as the plurality of locations ST on the tray TR. Each of the plurality of vaccination units 1a is provided at a position overlapping with each of the plurality of locations ST on the tray TR when viewed from above the vaccination device 1. The number of vaccination units 1a provided in the vaccination device 1 is arbitrary. In FIG. 1, each of the plurality of vaccination units 1a is located at an initial position.

[0027] Since each of the multiple vaccination units 1a has the same configuration and operation, the following description will only describe one vaccination unit 1a.

[0028] Vaccination unit 1a includes upper plate 91 (an example of a base plate), lower plate 92 (an example of a tip plate), fixed plate 93 (an example of a fixed plate), and egg lifter 94 (an example of an egg lifter). Each of upper plate 91, lower plate 92, and fixed plate 93 is shared by multiple vaccination units 1a.

[0029] The upper plate 91 is plate-shaped and extends horizontally. The upper plate 91 is moved vertically by a drive unit (not shown). The upper plate 91 includes a plurality of plate holes 911 (an example of a base end plate hole) and 912. Each of the plurality of plate holes 911 is provided at a position overlapping with each of the plurality of locations ST in the tray TR when viewed from above the vaccination device 1. Each of the plurality of plate holes 912 is provided near each of the plurality of plate holes 912.

[0030] The lower plate 92 is provided below the upper plate 91. The lower plate 92 is plate-shaped and extends horizontally. The lower plate 92 is moved vertically by a drive unit (not shown). The lower plate 92 includes a plurality of plate holes 921 (an example of a tip-side plate hole). Each of the plurality of plate holes 921 is provided at a position overlapping with each of the plurality of locations ST in the tray TR when viewed from above the vaccine administration device 1.

[0031] The fixing plate 93 is provided below the lower plate 92. The fixing plate 93 is plate-shaped and extends horizontally. The fixing plate 93 is fixed to a housing (not shown) and does not move in the vertical direction. The fixing plate 93 includes a plurality of holding holes 931. Each of the plurality of holding holes 931 is provided at a position overlapping each of the plurality of locations ST in the tray TR when viewed from above the vaccination device 1. Each of the plurality of holding holes 931 holds each of the plurality of eggs E from above when perforating and vaccinating each of the plurality of eggs E.

[0032] The egg lifter 94 is disposed lower than the fixed plate 93. The egg lifter 94 lifts up an egg E disposed on the tray TR and presses the vicinity of the blunt end e1 of the egg E against the holding hole 931. The egg lifter 94 is moved vertically by a drive unit (not shown). The egg lifter 94 is moved between an initial position which is the position shown in FIG. 1 and a pressing position which is a position higher than the initial position. When the egg lifter 94 is raised to the pressing position, the upper part of the egg lifter 94 can pass between the six claws hk and move to a position higher than the tray TR.

[0033] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vaccination unit 1a. In this embodiment, the vaccination unit 1a is arranged with the base end side of the vaccination unit 1a as the upper side and the tip end side of the vaccination unit 1a as the lower side. Arrow AR1 in Fig. 3 indicates the upper side (base end side), and arrow AR2 in Fig. 3 indicates the lower side (tip end side). In Fig. 3, the fixing plate 93 and the egg lifter 94 are omitted from illustration.

[0034] With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the vaccination unit 1a further includes a perforation needle 2 (an example of a perforation needle), an inoculation needle 3 (an example of an inoculation needle), an upper fixing part 4 (an example of a base end fixing part), a lower fixing part 5 (an example of a tip end fixing part), a protective tube 6 (an example of a protective tube), a bearing 7 (an example of a bearing), and connectors 81 (an example of a disinfectant connector) and 82 (an example of a vaccine connector). The perforation needle 2 is for perforating an egg. The inside of the perforation needle 2 and the outside of the inoculation needle 3 are a flow path for the disinfectant. The perforation needle 2 moves up and down with the movement of the lower plate 92. The perforation needle 2 is detachably attached to the lower fixing part 5. The perforation needle 2 moves between a standby position where its tip is located at the top of the holding hole 931 and a perforation position where its tip passes through the inside of the holding hole 931 and reaches the inside of the egg E. In FIG. 3, the perforation needle 2 is located at the standby position.

[0035] The inoculation needle 3 is for inoculating the inside of an egg with a vaccine. The inoculation needle 3 extends from the upper end to the lower end of the vaccination unit 1a. The inoculation needle 3 is inserted into the perforation needle 2 from the upper end 2a of the perforation needle 2. The inside of the inoculation needle 3 serves as a flow passage for the vaccine. The inoculation needle 3 moves up and down with the movement of the upper plate 91. The inoculation needle 3 is detachably attached to the connector 82. The inoculation needle 3 moves between a disinfection position where its tip is inside the perforation needle 2 and an injection position where its tip protrudes from the tip of the perforation needle 2 to the outside of the perforation needle 2. In FIG. 3, the inoculation needle 3 is in the disinfection position.

[0036] The upper fixing part 4 fixes the inoculation needle 3 to the plate hole 911. The upper fixing part 4 is movable between an inoculation needle fixing position and an inoculation needle release position. The inoculation needle fixing position is a position when the upper fixing part 4 fixes the inoculation needle 3 to the plate hole 911. The inoculation needle release position is a position rotated by a predetermined angle α (here, 90 degrees) around the rotation axis R (axis coinciding with the inoculation needle 3) from the inoculation needle fixing position, and is a position when the inoculation needle 3 is released from the plate hole 911. In FIG. 3, the upper fixing part 4 is present at the inoculation needle fixing position. The upper fixing part 4 includes a fixing piece 41, a fixing piece 42, a fixing piece 43 (an example of an inoculation needle fixing piece), an upper piece 44, a through hole 45, a fitting hole 46, and a ball plunger 47.

[0037] The fixed piece 41 is located above the upper plate 91 .

[0038] The fixing piece 43 is present below the upper plate 91. The fixing piece 43, together with the fixing piece 41, sandwiches the upper plate 91 from above and below, thereby fixing the position of the inoculation needle 3 in the up-down direction.

[0039] The fixed piece 42 is provided between the fixed piece 41 and the fixed piece 43. The fixed piece 42 is disposed inside the plate hole 911. The fixed piece 42 has a circular shape when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis R. The fixed piece 42 fixes the position of the inoculation needle 3 in the left-right direction.

[0040] The upper piece 44 is fixed to the upper part of the fixed piece 41 .

[0041] The through hole 45 passes through each of the upper piece 44 and the fixed piece 41 in the vertical direction, and is connected to the inside of the piercing needle 2 via the inside of the protective tube 6 and the bearing 7. The inoculation needle 3 is provided inside the through hole 45. The inside of the through hole 45 and the outside of the inoculation needle 3 become a flow passage for the disinfectant. The through hole 45 branches into two inside the upper piece 44. A connector 81 is attached to the through hole 45 that extends laterally among the branched through holes 45. A connector 82 is attached to the through hole 45 that extends upward among the branched through holes 45.

[0042] The fitting hole 46 passes through each of the fixed pieces 42 and 43 in the up-down direction, and is connected to the through hole 45. The protective tube 6 is fitted into the fitting hole 46.

[0043] The ball plunger 47 is attached to the fixed piece 41. The ball plunger 47 is biased downward by an elastic member (not shown) and protrudes from the lower surface of the fixed piece 41 into the space between the fixed piece 41 and the fixed piece 43 (the space on the outer circumferential side of the fixed piece 42). When the upper fixing part 4 is attached to the upper plate 91, the vaccination unit 1a is rotated around the rotation axis R. When the ball plunger 47 reaches the position of the plate hole 912 during this rotation, the ball plunger 47 protrudes into the plate hole 912 and engages with the plate hole 912. As a result, the ball plunger 47 plays a role in circumferential positioning of the vaccination unit 1a.

[0044] The lower fixing part 5 fixes the perforation needle 2 in the plate hole 921. The lower fixing part 5 is movable between a perforation needle fixing position and a perforation needle release position. The perforation needle fixing position is a position when the lower fixing part 5 fixes the perforation needle 2 in the plate hole 921. The perforation needle release position is a position rotated a predetermined angle α (here, 90 degrees) around the rotation axis from the perforation needle fixing position, and is a position when the perforation needle 2 is released from the plate hole 921. In FIG. 3, the lower fixing part 5 is in the perforation needle fixing position. The lower fixing part 5 includes a fixing piece 51, a fixing piece 52, a fixing piece 53 (an example of a perforation needle fixing piece), and a fitting hole 54.

[0045] The fixed piece 51 is located above the lower plate 92 .

[0046] Fixed piece 53 is present below lower plate 92. Fixed piece 53, together with fixed piece 51, sandwiches lower plate 92 from above and below, thereby fixing the position of perforation needle 2 in the up-down direction.

[0047] Fixed piece 52 is provided between fixed piece 51 and fixed piece 53. Fixed piece 52 is disposed inside plate hole 921. Fixed piece 52 has a circular shape when viewed from the direction of rotation axis R. Fixed piece 52 fixes the position of perforation needle 2 in the left-right direction.

[0048] Fitting hole 54 passes vertically through each of fixed pieces 51, 52, and 53. Perforation needle 2 is fitted into the inner peripheral surface of fitting hole 54.

[0049] The protective tube 6 is fixed to the fixed pieces 42 and 43. The inside of the protective tube 6 is connected to the inside of the perforation needle 2 through the internal space 71 of the bearing 7. The inoculation needle 3 is provided inside the protective tube 6. The protective tube 6 serves to protect the inoculation needle 3. The inside of the protective tube 6 and the outside of the inoculation needle 3 serve as a flow passage for the disinfectant. The protective tube 6 includes a tubular portion 61 and a flange portion 62. The flange portion 62 is provided at the lower end of the tubular portion 61. The outer diameter of the flange portion 62 is larger than the outer diameter of the tubular portion 61.

[0050] The bearing 7 is fixed to the upper part of the fixed piece 51. The bearing 7 serves to slide the inoculation needle 3 and the protective tube 6 in the vertical direction. The inner peripheral surface of the bearing 7 slides against the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 61. The bearing 7 includes an internal space 71. The internal space 71 connects the inside of the perforation needle 2 and the inside of the protective tube 6. The internal space 71 accommodates the flange portion 62.

[0051] The connector 81 is made of an elastic body, is tubular, and is attached to the upper piece 44. The connector 81 is connected to a supply pipe PP1. The supply pipe PP1 supplies disinfectant to the inside of the piercing needle 2 and the outside of the inoculation needle 3 through the inside of the connector 81, the inside of the protective tube 6, and the internal space 71 of the bearing 7.

[0052] The connector 82 is made of an elastic body, has a tubular shape, and is attached to the upper piece 44. The connector 82 is connected to a supply pipe PP2. The supply pipe PP2 supplies the vaccine to the inside of the vaccination needle 3 through the inside of the connector 82.

[0053] [Vaccination device in action]

[0054] Next, the operation of the vaccination device in this embodiment will be described.

[0055] 4 to 8 are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the vaccination device 1 in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] 4, the tray TR is transported into the vaccination device 1 after the viability determination of each of the eggs E is completed. Next, as shown by the arrow SP1, the egg lifter 94 is raised from the initial position to the pressing position. As a result, the eggs E held on the tray TR are lifted by the egg lifter 94, and the vicinity of the blunt end e1 of the eggs E is pressed against the holding hole 931.

[0057] With reference to Fig. 5, with the egg E pressed against the holding hole 931, the lower plate 92 is lowered as shown by the arrow SP2. The lower plate 92 approaches the fixed plate 93. The perforation needle 2, the lower fixed part 5, and the bearing 7 are lowered together with the lower plate 92. The perforation needle 2 is lowered from the standby position to the perforation position. By lowering through the holding hole 931, the perforation needle 2 perforates the blunt end e1 of the egg E pressed against the holding hole 931. When the perforation needle 2 has descended to the perforation position, the lowering of the lower plate 92 is stopped.

[0058] The perforation needle 2 may be configured so that when the tip of the perforation needle 2 descends to the perforation position, the upper surface of the flange portion 62 comes into contact with the upper surface of the inner wall of the bearing 7. This allows the perforation needle 2 to be stopped reliably at the required perforation position.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 6, next, with the tip of the perforation needle 2 in the perforation position, the upper plate 91 is lowered as shown by the arrow SP3. The upper plate 91 approaches the lower plate 92. The inoculation needle 3, the upper fixing part 4, the protective tube 6, and the connectors 81 and 82 are lowered together with the upper plate 91. The inoculation needle 3 is lowered from the disinfection position to the injection position. As a result, the tip of the inoculation needle 3 is inserted into the inside of the egg E. Then, the vaccine is supplied from the supply pipe PP2 to the vaccination unit 1a. The vaccine LQ1 flows through the inside of the inoculation needle 3 and is injected into the inside of the egg E from the tip of the inoculation needle 3.

[0060] In addition, when the tip of the inoculation needle 3 descends to the injection position, the lower surface of the flange portion 62 may be configured to come into contact with the upper surface of the lower fixing portion 5. This allows the inoculation needle 3 to be reliably stopped at the required injection position.

[0061] 7, next, the lower plate 92 is raised as shown by the arrow SP4, and the upper plate 91 is raised as shown by the arrow SP5. The perforation needle 2 is raised from the perforation position to the waiting position. The vaccination needle 3 is raised from the injection position to the disinfection position. Next, the egg lifter 94 is lowered from the pressing position to the initial position as shown by the arrow SP6. The egg lifter 94 is lowered to return the vaccinated egg E to the tray TR. After the egg E is returned, the tray TR is transported outside the vaccination device 1.

[0062] 8, thereafter, disinfectant LQ2 is supplied from supply pipe PP1 to vaccination unit 1a. Disinfectant LQ2 flows through the inside of through hole 45, inside protective tube 6, internal space 71 of bearing 7, and inside perforation needle 2, and is discharged to the outside from the tip of perforation needle 2. The flowing disinfectant LQ2 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of inoculation needle 3, and disinfects the outer peripheral surface of inoculation needle 3. This completes one vaccination operation of egg E by vaccination device 1.

[0063] [How to remove the puncture needle and vaccination needle]

[0064] Each of the perforation needle 2 and the inoculation needle 3 needs to be periodically removed from each of the lower plate 92 and the upper plate 91 for replacement, cleaning, etc. Next, a method for removing the perforation needle 2 and the inoculation needle 3 in this embodiment will be described.

[0065] Figures 9, 11, and 13 to 15 are diagrams showing the steps of a method for removing the perforation needle 2 and the vaccination needle 3 in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 is a diagram showing the positions of each member constituting the vaccination unit 1a in the state shown in Figure 9. Figure 12 is a diagram showing the positions of each member constituting the vaccination unit 1a in the state shown in Figure 11.

[0066] FIG. 10(a) is a plan view showing the positions of each member constituting the vaccination unit 1a when viewed from the XA direction in FIG. 9. FIG. 10(b) is a cross-sectional view of the vaccination unit 1a taken along the XB-XB line in FIG. 9. FIG. 10(c) is a cross-sectional view of the vaccination unit 1a taken along the XC-XC line in FIG. 9. FIG. 10(d) is a plan view showing the positions of each member constituting the vaccination unit 1a when viewed from the XD direction in FIG. 9. FIG. 12(a) is a plan view showing the positions of each member constituting the vaccination unit 1a when viewed from the XIIA direction in FIG. 11. FIG. 12(b) is a cross-sectional view of the vaccination unit 1a taken along the XIIB-XIIB line in FIG. 11. FIG. 12(c) is a cross-sectional view of the vaccination unit 1a taken along the XIIC-XIIC line in FIG. 11. FIG. 12(d) is a plan view showing the positions of each member constituting the vaccination unit 1a when viewed from the XIID direction in FIG. 11. Each of Figures 10(b), 10(c), 10(d), 12(b), 12(c), and 12(d) also shows components such as plate hole 911 present in the background. In each of Figures 10 and 12, plate holes 911 and 921 are shown by dotted lines. In Figures 9 to 15, fixed plate 93 and egg lifter 94 are omitted from the illustration.

[0067] 9 and 10, the fixed piece 41 has a circular shape when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis R. The fixed piece 43 has D-cut processing applied at two places. The D-cut processing means a processing method in which a round bar is cut off with a plane so that the cross section of the round bar has a "D" shape. Therefore, the fixed piece 43 has an outer shape composed of two arcs 43a and 43b and two straight lines 43c and 43d when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis R. It is sufficient that the fixed piece 43 has D-cut processing applied at at least one place. When D-cut processing is applied at least one place, the fixed piece 43 has an outer shape composed of at least one arc and at least one straight line when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis R.

[0068] The plate hole 911 has the same shape as the fixed piece 43. However, in Fig. 9, the upper fixed part 4 is in the inoculation needle fixing position. When the upper fixed part 4 is in the inoculation needle fixing position, the fixed piece 43 has a shape that does not pass through the plate hole 911. Specifically, the portions of the fixed piece 43 near the arcs 43a and 43b are located in a portion where there is no plate hole 911, and the upper plate 91 is sandwiched between the fixed piece 43 and the fixed piece 41.

[0069] Similarly, the fixed piece 53 is D-cut at two locations. Therefore, the fixed piece 53 has an outer shape composed of two arcs 53a and 53b and two straight lines 53c and 53d when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis R. The fixed piece 53 only needs to be D-cut at at least one location. When D-cut is applied at least at one location, the fixed piece 53 has an outer shape composed of at least one arc and at least one straight line when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis R. By employing D-cut processing, each of the fixed pieces 43 and 53 can be formed into a required shape by a simple method.

[0070] Plate hole 921 has the same shape as fixed piece 53. However, in Fig. 9, lower fixed part 5 is in the perforation needle fixing position. When lower fixed part 5 is in the perforation needle fixing position, fixed piece 53 has a shape that does not pass through plate hole 921. Specifically, the portions of fixed piece 53 near arcs 53a and 53b are located in areas where there are no plate holes 921, and the lower plate 92 is sandwiched between fixed piece 53 and fixed piece 51.

[0071] When removing the perforation needle 2 and the inoculation needle 3, first, the supply pipes PP1 and PP2 are each removed from the connectors 81 and 82 by an operator. Next, as shown by arrow RT1, the upper fixed part 4 and the lower fixed part 5 are each rotated by a predetermined angle α (here, 90 degrees) around the rotation axis by the operator. The inoculation needle 3, the protective tube 6, and the connectors 81 and 82 rotate together with the upper fixed part 4. The perforation needle 2 and the bearing 7 rotate together with the lower fixed part 5. The rotation of the upper fixed part 4 releases the engagement between the ball plunger 47 and the plate hole 912.

[0072] Hereinafter, the components that rotate in the above process, namely the perforation needle 2, the vaccination needle 3, the upper fixing part 4, the lower fixing part 5, the protective tube 6, the bearing 7, and the connectors 81 and 82 (the components shown in Figure 9 excluding the upper plate 91 and the lower plate 92), may be collectively referred to as the "main components of the vaccination unit 1a."

[0073] 11 and 12, when the upper fixing part 4 rotates by a predetermined angle α from the position in FIG. 9, the upper fixing part 4 changes from the inoculation needle fixing position to the inoculation needle release position. When the upper fixing part 4 is in the inoculation needle release position, the fixing piece 43 has a shape that allows it to pass through the plate hole 911. Here, the fixing piece 43 has a shape that overlaps with the plate hole 911 when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis R. Therefore, the fixing piece 43 can pass through the plate hole 911.

[0074] Similarly, when the lower fixed part 5 rotates a predetermined angle α from the position in Figure 9, the lower fixed part 5 changes from the perforation needle fixed position to the perforation needle release position. When the lower fixed part 5 is in the perforation needle release position, the fixed piece 53 has a shape that allows it to pass through the plate hole 921. Here, the fixed piece 53 has a shape that overlaps with the plate hole 921 when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis R. Therefore, the fixed piece 53 can pass through the plate hole 921.

[0075] As is particularly clear from Figures 10(d) and 12(d), the fixed piece 53 has a size that allows it to pass through the plate hole 911, regardless of the position of the lower fixed part 5. The fixed piece 53 only needs to have a shape that allows it to be included inside the plate hole 911 when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis R when the lower fixed part 5 is at least in the perforation needle open position. Furthermore, the perforation needle 2 has a size that allows it to pass through each of the plate holes 911 and 921, regardless of the position of the lower fixed part 5. The perforation needle 2 only needs to have a shape that allows it to be included in each of the plate holes 911 and 921 when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis R when the lower fixed part 5 is at least in the perforation needle open position.

[0076] Moreover, each of the protective tube 6 and the bearing 7 has a circular planar shape when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis R. As is particularly clear from FIG. 10(c) and FIG. 12(c), the protective tube 6 has a size that allows it to pass through the plate hole 911 regardless of the position of the upper fixing part 4. The protective tube 6 only needs to have a shape that allows it to be included in the plate hole 911 when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis R when the upper fixing part 4 is at least in the inoculation needle open position. Moreover, the bearing 7 has a size that allows it to pass through the plate hole 911 regardless of the position of the lower fixing part 4. The bearing 7 only needs to have a shape that allows it to be included in the plate hole 911 when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis R when the lower fixing part 5 is at least in the perforation needle open position.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 13, the upper fixing part 4 is then pulled up by the operator's hand as shown by the arrow RT3. This causes the connectors 81 and 82, the vaccination needle 3, and the protective tube 6 to rise together with the upper fixing part 4. Furthermore, the bearing 7, the lower fixing part 5, and the perforation needle 2 also start to rise due to the upward force applied by the upper surface of the flange part 62 against the upper surface of the inner wall of the bearing 7. As a result, the main components of the vaccination unit 1a rise together. Note that both the upper fixing part 4 and the lower fixing part 5 may be pulled up by the operator's hand to ensure that the work is performed reliably.

[0078] 11 and 12, fixed piece 43 is shaped to pass through plate hole 911. Therefore, fixed piece 43 and protective tube 6 pass through plate hole 911 and rise. Similarly, in the process shown in Figures 11 and 12, fixed piece 53 is shaped to pass through plate hole 921. Therefore, fixed piece 53 and perforation needle 2 pass through plate hole 921 and rise.

[0079] 14, the upper fixed part 4 is further pulled up by the operator's hand as indicated by arrow RT3. Since the bearing 7 has a size that allows it to pass through the plate hole 911, the bearing 7 passes through the plate hole 911 and rises.

[0080] 15, the upper fixing part 4 is further pulled up by the operator's hand as shown by the arrow RT3. Since the lower fixing part 5 has a size that allows it to pass through the plate hole 911, the lower fixing part 5 passes through the plate hole 911 and rises. By the above steps, removal of the perforation needle 2 and the inoculation needle 3 is completed.

[0081] When attaching the perforation needle 2 and the vaccination needle 3 to the lower plate 92 and the upper plate 91, respectively, the reverse method of the above-mentioned method of removing the vaccination unit may be used. That is, the main member of the vaccination unit 1a is lowered so that the fixing piece 43 is inserted into the plate hole 911 and the fixing piece 53 is inserted into each of the plate holes 911 and 921. Next, the upper fixing part 4 and the lower fixing part 5 are each rotated by a predetermined angle (here, 90 degrees) around the rotation axis in the direction opposite to the arrow RT1.

[0082] [Effects of the embodiment]

[0083] According to the above-described embodiment, the fixing piece 43 of the upper fixing part 4 has a shape that does not pass through the plate hole 911 when the upper fixing part 4 is in the inoculation needle fixing position, and has a shape that passes through the plate hole 911 when the upper fixing part 4 is in the inoculation needle release position. This allows the inoculation needle 3 to be removed from the upper plate 91 by a simple method of rotation while the inoculation needle 3 is fixed to the upper plate 91 by the upper fixing part 4. As a result, it is possible to easily replace the inoculation needle 3.

[0084] Furthermore, the fixing piece 53 of the lower fixing part 5 has a shape that does not pass through the plate hole 921 when the lower fixing part 5 is in the perforation needle fixing position, and has a shape that passes through the plate hole 921 when the lower fixing part 5 is in the perforation needle release position. This makes it possible to remove the perforation needle 2 from the lower plate 92 by the simple method of rotation, while fixing the perforation needle 2 to the lower plate 92 by the lower fixing part 5. As a result, it is possible to easily replace the perforation needle 2.

[0085] [others]

[0086] The fixed piece 43 may have any shape as long as it passes through the plate hole 911 when the upper fixed part 4 is in the inoculation needle open position, and may have any shape as viewed from the direction of the rotation axis R. The fixed piece 53 may have any shape as long as it passes through the plate hole 921 when the lower fixed part 5 is in the perforation needle open position, and may have any shape as viewed from the direction of the rotation axis R. For example, the rotation angle for changing the upper fixed part 4 from the inoculation needle fixed position to the inoculation needle open position and the rotation angle for changing the lower fixed part 5 from the perforation needle fixed position to the perforation needle open position may each be 30 degrees, and the fixed pieces 43 and 53, and the plate holes 911 and 921 may each have an equilateral triangular shape as viewed from the direction of the rotation axis R.

[0087] The rotation angle for changing the upper fixing part 4 from the vaccination needle fixing position to the vaccination needle opening position, and the rotation angle for changing the lower fixing part 5 from the perforation needle fixing position to the perforation needle opening position are each arbitrary, and may be the same angle as described above, or may be different angles.

[0088] The vaccination device may not include an egg lifter, in which case the vaccination device may lower the piercing and inoculation needles onto eggs placed on a tray.

[0089] The above-described embodiments should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1. Vaccination device (an example of a vaccination device) 1a Vaccination Unit 2 Perforation needle (an example of a perforation needle) 2a Upper end of the perforation needle 3. Vaccine needle (example of vaccine needle) 4 Upper fixing part (an example of the base end fixing part) 5 Lower fixing part (example of tip fixing part) 6 Protective tube (example of protective tube) 7 Bearings (Examples of bearings) 41, 42, 43 Fixing piece of the upper fixing part (an example of a needle fixing piece) 43a,43b arc 43c,43d straight line 44 Upper piece of upper fixed part 45 Through hole in upper fixing part 46 Fitting hole of upper fixing part 47 Ball Plunger 51, 52, 53 Fixing piece of the lower fixing part (an example of a fixing piece of a perforation needle) 53a,53b arc 53c,53d straight line 54 Lower fixed part fitting hole 61 Tubular part of protective tube 62 Flange part of protective pipe 71 Bearing internal space 81, 82 Connectors (Examples of disinfectant connectors and vaccine connectors) 91 Upper plate (an example of a base end plate) 92 Lower plate (example of tip plate) 93 Fixation plate (Example of a fixation plate) 94 Egg lifter (example of egg lifter) 911, 912 Plate hole in upper plate (example of base end plate hole) 921 Plate hole of the lower plate (example of plate hole on the tip side) 931 Fixation plate retaining hole E-egg LQ1 vaccine LQ2 Disinfectant PP1,PP2 supply pipe R rotation axis ST: A place to hold multiple eggs in a tray TR Tray e1 Blunt end of egg e2 Sharp end of egg hk Tray claws p Tray passage hole

Claims

1. A vaccination device for vaccinating eggs, comprising: A perforation needle for perforating the egg, the perforation needle having a disinfectant flowing therethrough; an inoculation needle that is inserted into the perforation needle from its base end and that inoculates the inside of the egg with a vaccine; a proximal plate including a proximal plate hole; a base end fixing portion for fixing the inoculation needle to the base end plate hole; the base end fixing part moves between an inoculation needle fixing position, which is a position when the inoculation needle is fixed to the base end plate hole, and an inoculation needle release position, which is a position rotated a predetermined angle around a rotation axis from the inoculation needle fixing position; the base end fixing portion includes an inoculation needle fixing piece located on the tip side of the base end plate, A vaccination device, wherein the vaccination needle fixing piece has a shape that does not pass through the base end plate hole when the base end fixing part is in the vaccination needle fixing position, and has a shape that passes through the base end plate hole when the base end fixing part is in the vaccination needle open position.

2. a distal end plate provided distally of the base end plate and including a distal end plate hole; a tip side fixing portion that fixes the perforation needle to the tip side plate hole, the tip side fixing portion moves between a perforation needle fixing position, which is a position when the perforation needle is fixed to the tip side plate hole, and a perforation needle release position, which is a position rotated by the predetermined angle around the rotation axis from the perforation needle fixing position, the tip side fixing portion includes a perforation needle fixing piece located on the tip side of the tip side plate, The vaccine vaccination device described in claim 1, wherein the perforation needle fixing piece has a shape that does not pass through the tip plate hole when the tip fixing part is in the perforation needle fixing position, and a shape that passes through the tip plate hole when the tip fixing part is in the perforation needle release position.

3. The vaccination device according to claim 2 , wherein the perforation needle fixing piece has a shape that passes through the base end plate hole.

4. A protective tube is further provided which is fixed to the base end side fixing portion, The inoculation needle is provided inside the protective tube, A vaccination device as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the protective tube has a shape that passes through the base end plate hole.

5. A bearing is fixed to the tip side fixed portion and slides against an outer circumferential surface of the protective tube.

5. A vaccination device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bearing is shaped to pass through the base plate hole.

6. A vaccination device as described in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein each of the vaccination needle fixing piece and the perforation needle fixing piece has an outer shape composed of at least one arc and at least one straight line when viewed from the rotation axis direction.

7. a disinfectant connector attached to the base end fixing part, the disinfectant connector being connected to a supply tube for supplying the disinfectant into the inside of the perforation needle; A vaccination device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a vaccine connector attached to the base end fixing portion, the vaccine connector being connected to a supply tube for supplying the vaccine into the inside of the vaccination needle.

8. a fixing plate including a retaining hole; an egg lifter for lifting the egg and pressing it against the holding hole; A vaccination device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the perforation needle is lowered through the retention hole to perforate the egg pressed against the retention hole.

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