Container holding rack and pre-treatment device

Abstract

To provide a container holding rack that can easily put a cap on a plurality of containers or can put a cap off from a plurality of containers.SOLUTION: A container holding rack 100 includes a plurality of container storages, a latch member 140, and a belt member 150. The container storages store a plurality of containers 1. The latch member 140 can switch a state between a first state and a second state. The belt member 150 is arranged along side surfaces of the container storages. The belt member 150 presses a plurality of containers 1 with larger pressures when the latch member 140 is in a second state than when the latch member 140 is in a first state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container holding rack and a pre-processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Before a sample is analyzed in an analytical device, the sample may be pretreated using a container such as a centrifuge tube. For example, in the pretreatment, the sample to be analyzed is poured into a capped container, and a predetermined solvent or reagent is added to the contained sample. The contents of the container are also stirred, etc. Then, the contents are extracted from the container and poured into a predetermined vial. The contents including the pretreated sample are supplied from the vial to the analytical device, where the desired analysis of the sample is performed.

[0003] In pretreatment, the cap is opened and closed before and after the contents are injected into the container, or before and after the contents are extracted from the container. It is troublesome for an operator to repeatedly and manually perform such cap opening and closing operations. Therefore, a cap opening and closing device that automatically opens and closes the cap of the container is used. For example, in the cap opening and closing device described in Patent Document 1, a sample container is gripped by a pair of grippers of a grip opening and closing drive unit, and the cap is gripped by a robot hand. In this state, the grip opening and closing drive unit is rotated to open and close the cap. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-226484 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] According to the capping device described in Patent Document 1, caps are opened and closed one by one. Therefore, when there are a large number of containers, it takes a long time to open and close the caps, which reduces throughput.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a container holding rack and a pre-processing device that allow for easy attachment and detachment of caps to multiple containers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a container holding rack for use in a pre-treatment device, which holds a plurality of containers and allows caps to be attached and detached from each container by an attachment / detachment device possessed by the pre-treatment device, the container holding rack comprising: a plurality of container storage sections for storing the plurality of containers; a latch member that is switchable between a first state and a second state; and a belt member that is disposed along a side surface of the plurality of container storage sections and presses the plurality of containers with a greater pressure when the latch member is in the second state than when the latch member is in the first state. a pressing member provided in the container storage portion so as to be able to contact the plurality of containers; Equipped with The belt member presses the plurality of containers via the pressing member. This relates to a container holding rack.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is The present invention relates to a container holding rack for use in a pre-processing device, which holds a plurality of containers and has caps attached and detached from each container by an attachment / detachment device possessed by the pre-processing device, the container holding rack comprising a plurality of container storage sections for storing the plurality of containers, a latch member switchable between a first state and a second state, and a belt member arranged along the side of the plurality of container storage sections and which presses each of the plurality of containers against the plurality of container storage sections with a greater pressure when the latch member is in the second state than when the latch member is in the first state. Yet another aspect of the present invention is The present invention relates to a pre-processing device that includes the above-mentioned container holding rack and an attachment / detachment device that attaches and detaches caps to multiple containers held on the container holding rack, wherein the attachment / detachment device attaches and detaches the caps to each container held on the container holding rack when the latch member is in the second state. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the caps of multiple containers can be easily attached and detached. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a container holding rack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2]2 is a plan view showing a main body of the container holding rack of FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the container holding rack. [Figure 4] 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views for explaining the operation of the container holding rack. [Diagram 5] 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views for explaining the operation of the container holding rack. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an analysis system. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an internal configuration of a container holding rack according to a first modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of a container holding rack according to a second modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of a container holding rack according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of a container holding rack according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] (1) Configuration of container holding rack A container holding rack and a pretreatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a container holding rack according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the container holding rack 100 includes a main body 110 and a cover 120. The container holding rack 100 can hold a plurality of containers 1 (four in this example) by the main body 110. Each container 1 is, for example, a centrifuge tube used in pretreatment of sample analysis, and has a circular outer circumferential surface. In addition, a screw-type cap 2 can be attached and detached to the upper part of each container 1.

[0012] The cover part 120 is formed of, for example, a resin material or the like having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is attached to the main body part 110 so as to cover the upper part of the main body part 110. Four through holes 121, each of which is located above four recesses 114 of the main body part 110 described below and has a circular shape of the same size as the recesses 114, are formed on the upper surface of the cover part 120. A container 1 held by the main body part 110 is inserted into each of the through holes 121.

[0013] Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the main body of the container holding rack 100 of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the main body 110 is formed of, for example, a resin material, and includes a bottom member 111, a peripheral wall member 112, and a central wall member 113. The bottom member 111 has a substantially square shape. The peripheral wall member 112 is provided so as to protrude upward from the edge of the bottom member 111.

[0014] The central wall member 113 is provided so as to protrude upward from the center of the bottom member 111. Between the peripheral wall member 112 and the central wall member 113, circular recesses 114 are formed at the four corners of the upper surface of the bottom member 111. Each recess 114 is an example of a container housing portion. The diameter of each recess 114 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pressing member 130 described later.

[0015] In the following description, when distinguishing between the four recesses 114, the four recesses 114 are referred to as recesses 114a to 114d, respectively. In a horizontal plane, the direction in which a pair of opposing sides of the bottom member 111 extend is referred to as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X direction is referred to as the Y direction. In addition, a straight line parallel to the X direction and passing through the center of the bottom member 111 is referred to as the imaginary line Mx, and a straight line parallel to the Y direction and passing through the center of the bottom member 111 is referred to as the imaginary line My.

[0016] Furthermore, the area of ​​the bottom member 111 including the recess 114a and defined by the virtual lines Mx and My is called area S1. The area of ​​the bottom member 111 including the recess 114b and defined by the virtual lines Mx and My is called area S2. The area of ​​the bottom member 111 including the recess 114c and defined by the virtual lines Mx and My is called area S3. The area of ​​the bottom member 111 including the recess 114d and defined by the virtual lines Mx and My is called area S4. Areas S2 and S4 have a configuration symmetrical to areas S1 and S3 with respect to the virtual line Mx. Areas S1 and S2 face areas S3 and S4, respectively, across the virtual line My.

[0017] One end of the central wall member 113 in the Y direction is located between the recesses 114a and 114c. The other end of the central wall member 113 in the Y direction is located between the recesses 114b and 114d. Screw holes 101 extending in the vertical direction are formed in the upper surfaces of the one end and the other end of the central wall member 113. Two screw members 102 (see FIG. 1) are screwed into the two screw holes 101 of the central wall member 113 through the cover portion 120. In this way, the cover portion 120 is attached to the upper portion of the main body portion 110.

[0018] Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the container holding rack 100. As shown in Fig. 3, in addition to the main body portion 110 and the cover portion 120, the container holding rack 100 further includes a plurality of (four in this example) pressing members 130, a latch member 140, and a belt member 150. The multiple pressing members 130 correspond to the multiple recesses 114, respectively.

[0019] Each pressing member 130 is formed of, for example, silicone rubber and has a cylindrical shape. Each pressing member 130 may be formed of other rubber materials, or may be formed of a material having relatively high flexibility and a relatively high static friction coefficient. The inner diameter of each pressing member 130 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the container 1 in FIG. 1. Each pressing member 130 is arranged so as to be in contact with the corresponding recess 114 on the inside and to be able to contact the outer circumferential surface of the container 1.

[0020] The latch member 140 is attached to a side surface of the central wall member 113 in the Y direction, and is, for example, a snap lock (draw latch), and includes a fixed end 141, a free end 142, and a rotating shaft 143. The fixed end 141 is attached to a side surface of the central wall member 113 in the Y direction, for example. The free end 142 is provided rotatably about the rotating shaft 143. The rotating shaft 143 is connected to the fixed end 141, and constitutes one member in combination with the free end 142. The latch member 140 can be switched between an open state in which the free end 142 freely rotates with respect to the fixed end 141, and a closed state in which the free end 142 is engaged with the fixed end 141. The open state and the closed state are examples of the first and second states, respectively. FIG. 3 illustrates the latch member 140 in the open state.

[0021] The belt member 150 is formed of, for example, stainless steel, and has an elongated shape. The belt member 150 may be formed of other metal materials, or may be formed of other materials having relatively high rigidity. The belt member 150 is disposed so as to surround the multiple pressing members 130. One end 151 of the belt member 150 is connected to the fixed end 141 of the latch member 140. The other end 152 of the belt member 150 is connected to the free end 142 of the latch member 140. The ends 151 and 152 are examples of the first and second ends, respectively.

[0022] In this example, a ring-shaped member 144 that is rotatable relative to the free end 142 is provided at the free end 142. The end 152 of the belt member 150 is inserted through the ring-shaped member 144, folded back, and then fixed to another portion of the belt member 150 by the screw member 103. The method of fixing the end 152 of the belt member 150 is not limited to the above method. The end 152 of the belt member 150 may be directly fixed to the free end 142 of the latch member 140, for example.

[0023] In addition, in this example, the end 151 of the belt member 150 is directly connected to the fixed end 141 of the latch member 140, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The end 151 of the belt member 150 may be fixed to, for example, a side surface of the central wall member 113. In this case, the end 151 of the belt member 150 and the fixed end 141 of the latch member 140 are indirectly connected via the central wall member 113.

[0024] (2) Operation of the container holding rack 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views for explaining the operation of the container holding rack 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the user opens the latch members 140. Next, the user fits the containers 1 into the recesses 114 on the upper surface of the bottom member 111 of the main body 110 through the through holes 121 (see FIG. 1) of the cover 120. In this case, each pressing member 130 comes into contact with the corresponding container 1 while surrounding the periphery of the container 1. As a result, four containers 1 are held in the main body 110.

[0025] Thereafter, the user closes the latch member 140 as shown by the arrow A in Fig. 5. In this case, the ends 151 and 152 of the belt member 150 approach each other more closely than when the latch member 140 is in the open state. Therefore, as shown by the arrow B in Fig. 5, the belt member 150 presses the multiple pressing members 130 from the outside to the inside with a pressure greater than when the latch member 140 is in the open state. Therefore, the belt member 150 presses the corresponding container 1 against the inner circumferential surface of each recess 114 via each pressing member 130.

[0026] In this state, the rotation of each container 1 is restricted by the corresponding pressing member 130. As a result, when the multiple caps 2 in FIG. 1 rotate on the tops of the multiple containers 1, the containers 1 do not rotate, and the caps 2 on the tops of the containers 1 can be attached and detached.

[0027] According to this configuration, since the rotation of each container 1 can be restricted only by the container holding rack 100, there is no need to provide an actuator that applies a force to the container holding rack 100 to press each container 1. Therefore, the positioning mechanism of the container holding rack 100 in the cap 2 attachment / detachment device does not interfere with the positioning mechanism of the container holding rack 100 in the actuator. This makes it easier to attach and detach the cap 2.

[0028] (3) Example of use of container holding rack An example of use of the container holding rack 100 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of an analysis system. As shown in FIG. 6, the analysis system 500 includes a pretreatment device 200 and an analysis device 300. The pretreatment device 200 includes a sample receiving section 210, an addition section 220, a shaking section 230, a separation section 240, an injection section 250, and a disposal section 260. The container holding rack 100 that holds four containers 1 for pretreatment is introduced into the sample receiving section 210. The vial rack 310 that holds a plurality of vials 311 for analysis is introduced into the injection section 250.

[0029] Each of the sample storage section 210, the addition section 220 and the injection section 250 is provided with an attachment / detachment device 270 that attaches and detaches the caps 2 to and from each of the multiple containers 1 in the container holding rack 100 by rotating the caps 2.

[0030] The sample receiving section 210 removes the caps 2 from each container 1 in the introduced container holding rack 100, then receives a sample to be analyzed in each container 1 and attaches the caps 2 to each container 1. The sample to be analyzed includes, for example, food. Thereafter, the sample receiving section 210 transports the container holding rack 100 to the shaking section 230, and transports the container holding rack 100 transported from the shaking section 230 to the adding section 220.

[0031] The adding section 220 removes the caps 2 from each container 1 in the container holding rack 100 carried in from the sample storage section 210, then adds a predetermined solvent or internal standard reagent, etc. to each container 1, and attaches the caps 2 to each container 1. Thereafter, the adding section 220 carries out the container holding rack 100 to the shaking section 230, and carries out the container holding rack 100 carried in from the shaking section 230 to the separation section 240.

[0032] The shaking unit 230 stirs the contents of the containers 1 by shaking each container 1 in the container holding rack 100 carried in from the sample storage unit 210, and then carries the container holding rack 100 out to the sample storage unit 210. The shaking unit 230 also stirs the contents of the containers 1 by shaking each container 1 in the container holding rack 100 carried in from the addition unit 220, and then carries the container holding rack 100 out to the addition unit 220. The separation unit 240 separates the contents of the containers 1 into components by applying centrifugal force to each container 1 in the container holding rack 100 carried in from the addition unit 220. Thereafter, the separation unit 240 carries out the container holding rack 100 to the injection unit 250.

[0033] The injection section 250 removes the caps 2 from each container 1 in the container holding rack 100 carried in from the separation section 240, then extracts a portion of the contents from each container 1, and injects the extracted contents into each vial 311 in the vial rack 310. As a result, the contents including the pre-treated sample are accommodated in each vial 311. The injection section 250 then attaches the caps 2 to each container 1 in the container holding rack 100, and carries the container holding rack 100 out to the disposal section 260. The injection section 250 also carries the vial rack 310 out to the analysis device 300. The disposal section 260 discards the contents of each container 1 in the container holding rack 100 carried in from the injection section 250.

[0034] The analyzer 300 performs a predetermined analysis on the contents of each vial 311 in the vial rack 310 carried in from the pretreatment device 200. The analysis includes, for example, quantifying the amount of residual pesticides in a food sample. The analyzer 300 may be, for example, a liquid chromatography mass spectrometer (LC / MS), a gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GC / MS), or another analyzer.

[0035] In the pretreatment device 200, by using the container holding rack 100, the caps 2 can be attached and detached to and from a plurality of containers 1 simultaneously and automatically. This makes it possible to improve throughput. In addition, it is possible to reduce the number of personnel required.

[0036] (4) Effects In the container holding rack 100 according to this embodiment, when the latch members 140 are in an open state, the corresponding containers 1 are fitted into the corresponding recesses 114 on the upper surface of the bottom member 111. In this case, each container 1 is stably held in the corresponding recess 114 while being surrounded by the corresponding pressing member 130 and facing the belt member 150.

[0037] After each container 1 is fitted into the corresponding recess 114, the latch member 140 is closed. In this case, each container 1 is firmly pressed by the belt member 150 and the inner circumferential surface of the corresponding recess 114 via the corresponding pressing member 130 with a pressure greater than that when the latch member 140 is in the open state. This restricts the rotation of the multiple containers 1. As a result, the caps 2 can be easily attached to and detached from the multiple containers 1.

[0038] (5) Variations In this embodiment, each pressing member 130 is arranged to surround the periphery of the corresponding container 1, but the embodiment is not limited to this. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of a container holding rack 100 according to a first modified example. As shown in Fig. 7, in the first modified example, each pressing member 130 has a curved plate shape rather than a cylindrical shape. Each pressing member 130 is arranged to face the corresponding container 1 and to be able to contact the container 1.

[0039] In the first modified example, when the latch member 140 is in the closed state, each container 1 is firmly pressed by the belt member 150 and the inner circumferential surface of the corresponding recess 114 via the corresponding pressing member 130 with a pressure greater than that when the latch member 140 is in the open state. In this case, the rotation of the multiple containers 1 is restricted, so that the caps 2 can be easily attached to and detached from the multiple containers 1.

[0040] Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of a container holding rack 100 according to a second modified example. As shown in Fig. 8, in the second modified example, one pressing member 130 is provided instead of multiple pressing members. The pressing member 130 has a belt shape and is attached to the inner peripheral surface of a belt member 150 so as to be able to come into contact with the multiple containers 1.

[0041] In the second modified example, when the latch member 140 is in the closed state, each container 1 is firmly pressed by the belt member 150 and the inner circumferential surface of the corresponding recess 114 via the common pressing member 130 with a pressure greater than that when the latch member 140 is in the open state. In this case, the rotation of the multiple containers 1 is restricted, so that the caps 2 can be easily attached to and detached from the multiple containers 1.

[0042] (6) Other embodiments (a) In the above embodiment, the belt member 150 is provided so as to press the multiple containers 1 from the outside to the inside, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Figs. 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views showing the internal configuration of a container holding rack 100 according to another embodiment. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, in this embodiment, the belt member 150 is provided along the inner surface of the central wall member 113 so as to face the multiple pressing members 130. As shown in Fig. 9, the user opens the latch member 140 and fits the containers 1 into the recesses 114 on the upper surface of the bottom member 111 of the main body 110.

[0043] Thereafter, the user closes the latch member 140 as shown by the arrow C in Fig. 10. In this case, a force toward the center of the circle of the corresponding recess 114 is applied to the portion of the belt member 150 along the circular inner circumferential surface of each recess 114. Therefore, as shown by the arrow D in Fig. 10, the belt member 150 presses the multiple pressing members 130 from the inside to the outside with a pressure greater than when the latch member 140 is in the open state. Therefore, the belt member 150 presses the corresponding container 1 against the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall member 112 via each pressing member 130.

[0044] Even in this state, the rotation of each container 1 is restricted by the corresponding pressing member 130. Therefore, the caps 2 in FIG.

[0045] 10, similarly to the first modified example, a plurality of curved plate-shaped pressing members 130 may be provided instead of the plurality of cylindrical pressing members 130. Alternatively, similarly to the second modified example, a common band-shaped pressing member 130 may be provided instead of the plurality of cylindrical pressing members 130.

[0046] (b) In the above embodiment, the container holding rack 100 includes the pressing member 130, but the embodiment is not limited to this. If the latch members 140 can press each container 1 sufficiently firmly when they are in the closed state, the container holding rack 100 does not need to include the pressing member 130. The same applies to the first and second modified examples. In this configuration, each container 1 is pressed directly by the belt member 150 when the latch members 140 are in the closed state.

[0047] (c) In the above embodiment, multiple recesses 114 are formed on the upper surface of the bottom member 111, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The recesses 114 do not have to be formed on the upper surface of the bottom member 111. Furthermore, if multiple containers 1 can be stably arranged, the main body 110 does not have to include the bottom member 111 as long as it includes a container storage portion.

[0048] (d) In the above embodiment, the container-holding rack 100 is configured to hold four containers 1, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The container-holding rack 100 may be configured to hold two or three containers 1, or may be configured to hold five or more containers 1.

[0049] (7) Description It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above exemplary embodiments are illustrative of the following aspects.

[0050] (Item 1) A container holding rack according to one embodiment comprises: A container holding rack for use in a pretreatment device, holding a plurality of containers, and a capping device provided in the pretreatment device for attaching and detaching caps to and from each of the containers, comprising: A plurality of container housings housing the plurality of containers; a latch member that is switchable between a first state and a second state; The latch member may further include a belt member arranged along a side surface of the plurality of container storage sections and pressing the plurality of containers with a greater pressure when the latch member is in the second state than when the latch member is in the first state.

[0051] According to this configuration, by setting the latch member in the first state, the containers can be held on the container holding rack so as to face the belt member. In addition, by setting the latch member in the second state while the containers are held on the container holding rack, the containers can be pressed by the belt member with a pressure greater than when the latch member is in the first state. This restricts the rotation of the containers. As a result, it becomes possible to easily attach and detach caps to and from the containers.

[0052] (2) In the container holding rack according to (1), The belt member may have a first end and a second end, and may be connected to the latch member such that when the latch member is in the second state, the first end and the second end are closer together than when the latch member is in the first state.

[0053] In this case, with a simple configuration, the pressing pressure applied to the multiple containers when the latch member is in the second state can be made greater than the pressing pressure applied to the multiple containers when the latch member is in the first state.

[0054] (3) In the container holding rack according to the above (2), The latch member has a fixed end and a free end movable relative to the fixed end, The first and second ends of the belt member may be connected to the fixed and free ends of the latch member, respectively.

[0055] In this case, with a simple connection relationship, when the latch member is in the second state, the first end and the second end of the belt member can be brought closer together than when the latch member is in the first state.

[0056] (4) The container holding rack according to any one of the first to third aspects, a pressing member provided in the container storage portion so as to be capable of contacting the plurality of containers; The belt member may press the plurality of containers via the pressing member.

[0057] In this case, the multiple containers are more firmly pressed by the pressing member, which more reliably restricts rotation of the multiple containers when the latch member is in the second state, making it easier to attach and detach the caps to and from the multiple containers.

[0058] (5) A container holding rack according to claim 4, The pressing members are provided in a plurality to correspond to the plurality of containers, Each of the plurality of pressing members may be disposed so as to be able to contact the corresponding container.

[0059] In this case, each container is more firmly pressed by the corresponding pressing member, which more reliably restricts rotation of the multiple containers when the latch member is in the second state, making it easier to attach and detach the caps to and from the multiple containers.

[0060] (Item 6) In the container holding rack according to item 5, Each of the plurality of pressing members may be disposed so as to surround a corresponding container.

[0061] In this case, each container is pressed more firmly by the corresponding pressing member, which more reliably restricts rotation of the multiple containers when the latch member is in the second state, making it easier to attach and detach the caps to and from the multiple containers.

[0062] (7) The container holding rack according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, The plurality of container housing portions may further include a bottom member having one surface formed as a plurality of recesses into which the plurality of containers are respectively fitted.

[0063] In this case, each container can be stably held in the corresponding recess.

[0064] (Item 8) In the container holding rack according to item 7, The belt member may press each of the plurality of containers against an inner circumferential surface of a corresponding recess with a pressure greater than that when the latch member is in the first state.

[0065] In this case, each container is more firmly pressed by the belt member and the inner circumferential surface of the corresponding recess. This more reliably restricts the rotation of the multiple containers when the latch member is in the second state. As a result, it becomes easier to attach and detach the caps to and from the multiple containers.

[0066] (Item 9) A pretreatment device according to another aspect comprises: A container holding rack according to any one of items 1 to 8, the capping / removal device for attaching and detaching caps to a plurality of containers held on the container holding rack, The attachment / detachment device may attach and detach the caps of each container held in the container holding rack when the latch member is in the second state.

[0067] In this case, the caps can be easily attached and detached to a plurality of containers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1...container, 2...cap, 100...container holding rack, 101...screw hole, 102, 103...screw member, 110...main body portion, 111...bottom member, 112...peripheral wall member, 113...central wall member, 114, 114a to 114d...recess, 120...cover portion, 121...through hole, 130...pressure member, 140...latch member, 141...fixed end, 142...free end, 143...rotation shaft, 1 44... annular member, 150... belt member, 151, 152... end portion, 200... pretreatment device, 210... sample storage section, 220... addition section, 230... shaking section, 240... separation section, 250... injection section, 260... disposal section, 270... attachment / detachment device, 300... analysis device, 310... vial rack, 311... vial, 500... analysis system, Mx, My... virtual line, S1 to S4... region

Claims

1. A container holding rack for use in a pretreatment device, holding a plurality of containers, and a capping device provided in the pretreatment device for attaching and detaching caps to and from each of the containers, comprising: A plurality of container housings housing the plurality of containers; a latch member that is switchable between a first state and a second state; a belt member disposed along a side surface of the plurality of container storage portions and pressing the plurality of containers with a pressure greater than that when the latch member is in the second state compared to when the latch member is in the first state; a pressing member provided in the container storage portion so as to be able to contact the plurality of containers, The belt member presses the plurality of containers via the pressing member, the container holding rack.

2. 2. The container holding rack of claim 1, wherein the belt member has a first end and a second end and is connected to the latch member such that when the latch member is in the second position, the first end and the second end are closer together than when the latch member is in the first position.

3. The latch member has a fixed end and a free end movable relative to the fixed end, 3. The container holding rack of claim 2, wherein said first and second ends of said belt member are connected to said fixed and free ends of said latch member, respectively.

4. The pressing members are provided in a plurality to correspond to the plurality of containers, The container holding rack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the plurality of pressing members is arranged so as to be able to contact a corresponding container.

5. The container holding rack according to claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of pressing members is disposed so as to surround a corresponding container.

6. The container holding rack according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a bottom member having one surface formed as a plurality of recesses into which the plurality of containers are respectively fitted, the plurality of container accommodating sections being each provided with a respective one of the plurality of containers.

7. The container holding rack of claim 6, wherein the belt member presses each of the plurality of containers against the inner peripheral surface of the corresponding recess with a greater pressure when the latch member is in the second state than when the latch member is in the first state.

8. A container holding rack according to any one of claims 1 to 7; the capping / removal device for attaching and detaching caps to a plurality of containers held on the container holding rack, The pre-treatment device, wherein the attachment / detachment device attaches and detaches the caps of each container held on the container holding rack when the latch member is in the second state.

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